Blanket wash solvent strips ink film, paper lint, and gum residue off offset press blankets so the next form runs clean. It is the printing press solvent a pressroom goes through fastest, and the one most likely to be bought on repeat.
Mid-State Litho carries Varn blanket wash for commercial pressrooms, including Varn Blue Ribbon Wash. We are a second-generation Michigan dealer in Grand Blanc, supplying print shops, binderies, and in-plant pressrooms across the Great Lakes region since 1984.
Choosing a wash solvent
Three things decide which blanket wash a pressroom should run.
The first is your air-quality rule. Local VOC limits and your insurance carrier set the floor, and that constraint outranks cleaning speed. If you are under a cap, the compliant formulation is the only one on the table.
The second is evaporation rate. A fast solvent cleans quickly and can flash off before the operator finishes wiping the blanket down, which leaves residue behind. A slower wash gives working time on a large blanket and costs you a longer dry-down before the press restarts.
The third is blanket compatibility. Press blanket compounds differ. Check the blanket manufacturer's chemical resistance data before you switch solvents, and especially before moving between a conventional and a water-miscible wash. If the blanket itself is glazed or worn, replace it: see offset printing blankets.
If you are replacing a solvent you already run, send the product name off the current pail and your press make and model. We will match it or tell you plainly that we do not carry an equivalent.
Blanket wash is one line on a pressroom order. Mid-State Litho also stocks fountain solution, offset printing blankets, offset powders, industrial cleaning supplies, and general pressroom chemicals across the wider supplies and parts catalog, and we sell and service the finishing equipment that runs after the press.
Call 1-800-343-4231 for pail pricing, or send your current product name and press model and we will quote it.
Frequently asked questions
What does blanket wash solvent do?
It dissolves ink film, paper lint, and gum residue off the offset blanket so the blanket releases cleanly on the next form. A blanket that is not washed properly glazes over, loses tack, and starts picking and piling.
Is blanket wash solvent the same as roller wash?
No. Blanket wash is formulated for the blanket compound; roller wash is formulated for the roller train and is usually a different solvent class with a different evaporation profile. Mid-State Litho's current online offering here is blanket wash. If you need a roller wash or a press wash for a specific press, call 1-800-343-4231 and we will check sourcing before you order.
How do I pick a blanket wash that will not damage my blankets?
Start with the blanket manufacturer's chemical resistance data, not the solvent's marketing copy. Match the wash class the blanket is rated for, then check that the flash point and VOC content clear your local air-quality rule.
Can I switch blanket wash brands between jobs?
You can, but wipe the blanket down and let it dry before the changeover rather than layering one solvent over another. If the two products are different classes, for example moving from a conventional wash to a water-miscible one, treat it as a full cleanup.
What else does Mid-State Litho stock for the pressroom?
Fountain solution, offset printing blankets, offset powders, printing press ink, and general pressroom chemicals, alongside the finishing equipment that runs after the press. Call 1-800-343-4231 with the press make and model.