Any of a class of organic compounds having the general formula ROH, where R is an alkyl group (which is a univalent group having the general formula C'n'H2'n+1'), and OH (oxygen and hydrogen) is a hydroxyl group. A common example of an alcohol is ethyl alcohol, C2H5OH. Alcohols, in addition to some obvious uses, are also commonly used as solvents in printing inks and for cleaning purposes. See Solvent.
Alcohols are also added to the fountain solution of an offset press as a wetting agent, or as a means of reducing the surface tension of the solution, the most commonly used one being isopropyl alcohol. Some fountain solutions utilize alcohol substitutes. See Fountain Solution.