GB/T 12911-2025 Paper and board—Determination of the ink absorbency English, Anglais, Englisch, Inglés, えいご
This is a draft translation for reference among interesting stakeholders. The finalized translation (passing through draft translation, self-check, revision and verification) will be delivered upon being ordered.
ICS 85. 010
CCS Y 30
National Standard of the People's Republic of China
GB/T 12911-2025
Replaces GB/T 12911-1991
Paper and board - Determination of the ink absorbency
Issue date: 2025-04-25 Implementation date: 2025-08-01
Issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation
the Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China
Contents
Foreword
1 Scope
2 Normative References
3 Terms and Definitions
4 Principle
5 Apparatus and Materials
6 Sampling and Preparation of Test Pieces
7 Conditioning of Test Pieces
8 Test Procedure
9 Expression of Results
Paper and Board - Determination of the Ink Absorbency
1 Scope
This document describes the method for determination of the ink absorbency of paper and board.
This document applies to the determination of ink absorbency of various white or near-white printing papers and boards.
2 Normative References
The following documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this document. For dated references, subsequent amendments (excluding corrigenda) or revisions to these documents do not apply. For undated references, the latest edition of the document (including any amendments) applies.
GB/T 450 Paper and board — Sampling for testing and determination of direction of grain and sides
GB/T 7973 Paper, board and pulps — Standard atmosphere for conditioning and testing
GB/T 12604.7 Non-destructive testing — Terminology — Leakage detection
GB/T 13979 Mass spectrometer leak detector
QB/T 1020 Paper and board — Standard printing ink for printability test
3 Terms and Definitions
The following terms and definitions apply to this document.
3.1
Ink Absorbency
The ability of paper and board to absorb standard ink within a specified time.
Note: Expressed by ink absorbency value, calculated by the difference between the reflectance factors of the same side of the test piece before and after absorbing the ink, divided by the reflectance factor of the test piece before absorbing the ink.
4 Principle
The ink absorption performance is represented by measuring the reduction in surface reflectance factor after absorbing standard absorption ink in a specified area over a defined time.
5. Equipment and Materials
5.1 Ink Application Device
The ink application device includes an ink applicator rod, an ink application plate with a base (as shown in Figure 1). The plate has a square opening with an area of (20.0 ± 0.4) cm² and a thickness of 0.10 ± 0.02 mm.
5.2 Automatic Ink Eraser
The automatic ink eraser uses absorbent paper to remove unabsorbed ink from the test sample within a specified absorption time, leaving a uniform ink trace. It typically consists of a base, an erasing platform, a(sector body), a motor, a paper roll shaft, and a paper roll holder. Note: Use the automatic ink eraser when automatic erasing is required.
5.3 Reflectance Photometer
The instrument's geometric conditions and spectral characteristics shall comply with the requirements of GB/T 7973.
5.4 Stopwatch
The stopwatch shall have a 0.1 s graduation.
5.5 Standard Absorbent Ink
The ink shall meet the specifications of QB/T 1020.
5.6 Absorbent Paper
The absorbent paper shall effectively remove unabsorbed ink from the sample surface without causing physical damage. Note: For manual erasing, use flexible and strong roll paper that does not easily shed fibers; for automatic erasing, use specialized paper compatible with the instrument and meeting erasing performance and sample protection requirements.
6. Sample Preparation
6.1 Sampling
Sampling shall be conducted in accordance with GB/T 450.
6.2 Sample Cutting
Cut samples from the edge of flat paper or paper rolls at a distance of ≥15 mm. Each sample shall be (210 ± 5) mm in length and (65 ± 2) mm in width, with the long side aligned with the paper machine direction. Ensure that each testable surface (single-sided samples: front side; double-sided samples: front and back sides) has at least 5 usable samples. Stack each sample face-up with a protective sheet of the same material placed on top and bottom.
7. Sample Conditioning
The samples shall be conditioned according to GB/T 10739 before testing, and sample preparation and testing shall be conducted under the same atmospheric conditions.
8. Test Procedure
8.1 Pre-inking Reflectance Measurement
Measure the green-light reflectance factor (R₀) of the sample surface before applying standard absorbent ink using a reflectance photometer (5.3) in accordance with GB/T 7973. The test sample shall be backed with several layers of identical material to ensure opacity. Measure five samples sequentially.
8.2 Ink Application and Erasing
8.2.1 Take a sample with a known green-light reflectance factor (R₀), place it under the ink application plate (5.1) of the ink application device. During placement:
The test surface shall face upward.
The long edge shall be parallel to the front-rear direction of the application plate.
The centerline of the long edge shall align with the center of the plate opening.
8.3 Post-Erasing Reflectance Measurement
To prevent ink marks from being affected by environmental conditions, immediately measure the green-light reflectance factor (R₁) of the ink-marked central area on the sample using a reflectance photometer after erasing. The measurement must be completed within 30 seconds. The procedure and requirements are the same as Section 8.1. The test sample shall be backed with several layers of uninked material of the same type to ensure opacity. Measure five samples sequentially.
Standard
GB/T 12911-2025 Paper and board—Determination of the ink absorbency (English Version)
Standard No.
GB/T 12911-2025
Status
to be valid
Language
English
File Format
PDF
Word Count
6500 words
Price(USD)
195.0
Implemented on
2026-3-1
Delivery
via email in 1~3 business day
Detail of GB/T 12911-2025
Standard No.
GB/T 12911-2025
English Name
Paper and board—Determination of the ink absorbency
GB/T 12911-2025 Paper and board—Determination of the ink absorbency English, Anglais, Englisch, Inglés, えいご
This is a draft translation for reference among interesting stakeholders. The finalized translation (passing through draft translation, self-check, revision and verification) will be delivered upon being ordered.
ICS 85. 010
CCS Y 30
National Standard of the People's Republic of China
GB/T 12911-2025
Replaces GB/T 12911-1991
Paper and board - Determination of the ink absorbency
Issue date: 2025-04-25 Implementation date: 2025-08-01
Issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation
the Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China
Contents
Foreword
1 Scope
2 Normative References
3 Terms and Definitions
4 Principle
5 Apparatus and Materials
6 Sampling and Preparation of Test Pieces
7 Conditioning of Test Pieces
8 Test Procedure
9 Expression of Results
Paper and Board - Determination of the Ink Absorbency
1 Scope
This document describes the method for determination of the ink absorbency of paper and board.
This document applies to the determination of ink absorbency of various white or near-white printing papers and boards.
2 Normative References
The following documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this document. For dated references, subsequent amendments (excluding corrigenda) or revisions to these documents do not apply. For undated references, the latest edition of the document (including any amendments) applies.
GB/T 450 Paper and board — Sampling for testing and determination of direction of grain and sides
GB/T 7973 Paper, board and pulps — Standard atmosphere for conditioning and testing
GB/T 12604.7 Non-destructive testing — Terminology — Leakage detection
GB/T 13979 Mass spectrometer leak detector
QB/T 1020 Paper and board — Standard printing ink for printability test
3 Terms and Definitions
The following terms and definitions apply to this document.
3.1
Ink Absorbency
The ability of paper and board to absorb standard ink within a specified time.
Note: Expressed by ink absorbency value, calculated by the difference between the reflectance factors of the same side of the test piece before and after absorbing the ink, divided by the reflectance factor of the test piece before absorbing the ink.
4 Principle
The ink absorption performance is represented by measuring the reduction in surface reflectance factor after absorbing standard absorption ink in a specified area over a defined time.
5. Equipment and Materials
5.1 Ink Application Device
The ink application device includes an ink applicator rod, an ink application plate with a base (as shown in Figure 1). The plate has a square opening with an area of (20.0 ± 0.4) cm² and a thickness of 0.10 ± 0.02 mm.
5.2 Automatic Ink Eraser
The automatic ink eraser uses absorbent paper to remove unabsorbed ink from the test sample within a specified absorption time, leaving a uniform ink trace. It typically consists of a base, an erasing platform, a(sector body), a motor, a paper roll shaft, and a paper roll holder. Note: Use the automatic ink eraser when automatic erasing is required.
5.3 Reflectance Photometer
The instrument's geometric conditions and spectral characteristics shall comply with the requirements of GB/T 7973.
5.4 Stopwatch
The stopwatch shall have a 0.1 s graduation.
5.5 Standard Absorbent Ink
The ink shall meet the specifications of QB/T 1020.
5.6 Absorbent Paper
The absorbent paper shall effectively remove unabsorbed ink from the sample surface without causing physical damage. Note: For manual erasing, use flexible and strong roll paper that does not easily shed fibers; for automatic erasing, use specialized paper compatible with the instrument and meeting erasing performance and sample protection requirements.
6. Sample Preparation
6.1 Sampling
Sampling shall be conducted in accordance with GB/T 450.
6.2 Sample Cutting
Cut samples from the edge of flat paper or paper rolls at a distance of ≥15 mm. Each sample shall be (210 ± 5) mm in length and (65 ± 2) mm in width, with the long side aligned with the paper machine direction. Ensure that each testable surface (single-sided samples: front side; double-sided samples: front and back sides) has at least 5 usable samples. Stack each sample face-up with a protective sheet of the same material placed on top and bottom.
7. Sample Conditioning
The samples shall be conditioned according to GB/T 10739 before testing, and sample preparation and testing shall be conducted under the same atmospheric conditions.
8. Test Procedure
8.1 Pre-inking Reflectance Measurement
Measure the green-light reflectance factor (R₀) of the sample surface before applying standard absorbent ink using a reflectance photometer (5.3) in accordance with GB/T 7973. The test sample shall be backed with several layers of identical material to ensure opacity. Measure five samples sequentially.
8.2 Ink Application and Erasing
8.2.1 Take a sample with a known green-light reflectance factor (R₀), place it under the ink application plate (5.1) of the ink application device. During placement:
The test surface shall face upward.
The long edge shall be parallel to the front-rear direction of the application plate.
The centerline of the long edge shall align with the center of the plate opening.
8.3 Post-Erasing Reflectance Measurement
To prevent ink marks from being affected by environmental conditions, immediately measure the green-light reflectance factor (R₁) of the ink-marked central area on the sample using a reflectance photometer after erasing. The measurement must be completed within 30 seconds. The procedure and requirements are the same as Section 8.1. The test sample shall be backed with several layers of uninked material of the same type to ensure opacity. Measure five samples sequentially.
