Narrow it down
Mid-State Litho stocks pressroom chemistry for offset and plate-to-press shops across Michigan and the Great Lakes. We supply print and bindery shops and have done so since 1984. We sell the chemistry beside the equipment we service, so the fountain solution and the technician come from the same integrator.
Fountain solution and etch
Silver Master SLM-OD fountain solution ships as a single gallon at $22.00. SLM-OH III etch is $12.50 a quart. TDP-DL2 fountain solution is $39.70 a litre bottle and TDP etch is $38.68. SLM-ST stabilizer is $31.00 a gallon or $116.00 for a case of four. Eco Stabilizer ESTII is $80.00 for a four-gallon case.
Case pricing: SLM-OD is $88.00 for a case of four and SLM-OH III is $75.00 for a case of six. TDP-DL2 is $377.15 for a case of ten. Call for case pricing on TDP etch.
Blanket and roller chemistry
Varn Rapid Blanket Blue Swell is $20.05. Varn Compound 747 tack reducer is $44.75 a gallon. V-253 blanket wash is $228.75 for a five-gallon pail. C4.1 Low Tac Spinks tack jelly is $18.80 a pound.
Shop supplies
Spinks Blue Crystal hand cleaner is $34.50 a tub or $195.00 a case of six. Formax SEAL-GL envelope sealing solution is $45.00 a gallon. Aqua Conditioner, a three-pack fountain solution additive, is $275.00. Processor system cleaner TAD 180400 is $12.00.
If you need a chemistry we do not list, call 1-800-343-4231. We buy from Mitsubishi Imaging, Varn, Spinks and Superior and can quote most pressroom chemistry by the gallon or the case.
Find the right chemistry
Water balance problems, scumming, or toning. Start with fountain solution and etch. Silver Master SLM-OD and SLM-OH III suit plate-to-press shops running Mitsubishi silver plates. TDP-DL2 and TDP etch suit conventional offset. See fountain solution.
Blanket not releasing, or ink building on the blanket. That is a wash and swell question, not a fountain question. See blanket wash and solvent.
Set-off on the delivery pile. Spray powder, not chemistry. See offset powders.
Replacing the blanket itself rather than cleaning it. See offset printing blankets.
Ink, duplicator ink, or numbering pads. See printing press and duplicator ink.
Plates. See polyester printing plates.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between SLM-OD fountain solution and SLM-OH III etch?
SLM-OD is the running fountain solution for Silver Master plate-to-press work. SLM-OH III is the etch used to condition the plate. Shops running the Silver Master system normally stock both. SLM-OD is $22.00 a gallon and SLM-OH III is $12.50 a quart.
Do you sell these by the case?
Yes. SLM-ST stabilizer is stocked as a single gallon at $31.00 and as a case of four at $116.00. SLM-OD comes in a case of four at $88.00. SLM-OH III comes in a case of six at $75.00. TDP-DL2 fountain solution comes in a case of ten at $377.15. Call 1-800-343-4231 for case pricing on TDP etch.
Which blanket wash is right for my shop?
Varn Rapid Blanket Blue Swell at $20.05 is the fast-evaporating wash for routine blanket cleaning. V-253 is the five-gallon pail at $228.75 for shops washing daily. Compound 747 at $44.75 is a tack reducer, not a wash, and is used to bring down ink tack rather than clean the blanket.
Do you ship pressroom chemistry?
Yes. We ship consumables alongside the equipment we sell and service. Some chemistry carries ground shipping restrictions by quantity, so a five-gallon pail can ship differently from a single gallon. Call for a freight quote.
Can you supply a chemistry that is not listed here?
Often, yes. We buy from Mitsubishi Imaging, Varn, Spinks and Superior. Call 1-800-343-4231 with the product name or part number and we will quote it.