Hickey

A hickey is a printing mistake that shows up as a small spot, ring, or blemish on a printed surface. Imagine you’re painting a smooth, colorful picture, but suddenly a piece of dust lands on your brush. That little speck stops the paint from spreading evenly, leaving a tiny white spot or a weird ring around it. That’s exactly what happens with a hickey in printing.

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Hickeys often appear in product packaging, like labels, boxes, and flexible packaging. They’re also common in magazines and brochures, where glossy pages with bold colours show them easily. Posters and flyers can have hickeys too, especially in large, solid colour areas where unwanted spots stand out.

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Why Do Hickeys Happen

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Hickeys occur when dust, dried ink, paper fibers, or other tiny bits of debris get stuck on the printing equipment, like the printing plate, cylinder, or blanket. These unwanted particles block the ink, leaving behind a white spot or a halo effect on the printed design. It’s like an unwanted fingerprint on a photo, small but noticeable.

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How to Prevent Hickeys

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Hickeys can be easily prevented through the following: 

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• Keep It Clean: Regularly clean the printing plates, rollers, and work area to reduce dust and debris.
• Use Quality Materials: High-quality paper and ink are less likely to shed particles.
• Control Static Electricity: Anti-static sprays or grounding equipment can help prevent dust from sticking.
• Routine Maintenance: Regularly check and maintain equipment to catch issues before they cause defects.

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Hickeys might seem small, but they can cause big problems in the printing world, especially when high-quality designs are a must. 

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