A substance added to a printing ink to increase its viscosity. Bodying agents (such as body gum or binding varnish) increase an ink's tack, and the increased viscosity allows the ink to print images and type more sharply. When added to lithographic ink, they prevent emulsification and ink chalking, and improve drying. (See also Body Gum and Binding Varnish.) A bodying agent is also known as a thickener.
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