A printing defect characterized by the appearance of an undesirable image on a printed sheet. Mechanical ghosting (in contrast to chemical ghosting) is exclusively found on the printed side of a sheet, and is typically the result of ink starvation, as the form rollers are sometimes not adequately reinked, especially on heavily inked areas of the plate. Incorrect-diameter form rollers, and a blanket that has a swollen or compressed spot are the usual causes of mechanical ghosting. (See also Chemical Ghosting.)
'Mechanical ghosting also refers to a flexographic printing problem more typically referred to as mechanical pinholing. See Mechanical Pinholing.