What is ghosting in printing?

What is ghosting in printing?

• A. A faint duplicate image or shadow due to misregistration or ink transfer
• B. A type of finishing effect
• C. A defect caused by over-inking
• D. A color management term

Answer: (A)

Ghosting in printing refers to a faint second image or shadow that appears on the page. This happens when the ink layers aren’t perfectly aligned, or when some ink or toner from one impression transfers to another area or sheet, leaving a subtle duplicate of an element. In offset printing, even a slight misregistration of the color plates can cause a pale offset image. In digital or multi-pass printing, residual toner or ink can print faintly where it shouldn’t, creating that ghost likeness. This isn’t a finishing effect like coating or embossing, and it isn’t caused by over-inking in the sense of heavy buildup. It’s specifically about misalignment or ink transfer producing a ghostly image.

Ghosting in printing refers to a faint second image or shadow that appears on the page. This happens when the ink layers aren’t perfectly aligned, or when some ink or toner from one impression transfers to another area or sheet, leaving a subtle duplicate of an element. In offset printing, even a slight misregistration of the color plates can cause a pale offset image. In digital or multi-pass printing, residual toner or ink can print faintly where it shouldn’t, creating that ghost likeness.

This isn’t a finishing effect like coating or embossing, and it isn’t caused by over-inking in the sense of heavy buildup. It’s specifically about misalignment or ink transfer producing a ghostly image.