Is GUM gum (arabic) ?

Greg Schmitz (gws1@columbia.edu)
Thu, 20 Jun 1996 15:08:00 -0400 (EDT)

Since I have recently acquired a printing press I've been reading lots
about printing. I came across a reference in John Muench's book A
PAINTERS GUIDE TO LITHOGRAPHY published by North Light Publishers
(1983) that suggests that lithographers gum is probably not gum
arabic. I am not a gum printer, but I know Judy Seigel and I assume
others are using prepared lithographers gum. Any comments?

Muench writes:

Gum arabic has always been a key ingredient in the various formulae
used in processing and printing lithographs, both stone and plate.
Originally the substance came in amber lumps from the gum acacia tree
of Africa and was dissolved in water to make a syrupy liquid for use
in lithography. In recent years, however, gum arabic has become
nearly unobtainable, and various substitutes have been found, some
synthetic or cellulose and others stemming from such unlikely sources
as cactus. This being the case, the term "gum arabic" is seldom used
today. It has become in the lexicon of the lithographer, simply
"gum."

-greg schmitz

>===for PGP Key finger Greg Schmitz <gws1@cunix.cc.columbia.edu>===
:: ::
Key fingerprint = 73 D3 91 15 96 69 74 E5 14 51 71 44 C8 ED 01 11
Key ID: A7026B1D Key Size: 1024 bits Created: 1994/11/10
==================================================================<