A problem of gravure inks characterized by the settling of the solid ink pigment out of the fluid vehicle as a result of long-term storage. Frequent agitation of the ink container may help alleviate the problem.
Inks possessing higher viscosity (even the "false viscosity" characteristic of thixotropic inks) will be less susceptible to sedimentation than thinner inks, and inks produced with larger and/or more poorly dispersed pigment particles will be more susceptible to sedimentation. (See also Flocculation.)