Conditions that affect production
- Curl, waviness and dimensional changes
- Static-related handling interruptions
- Changes in registration and sheet feeding
- Different conditions between stock storage and production
Look at the complete path of the material: incoming rolls or sheets, storage, the press or converting line, and finished-product storage. A stable room condition helps only when the material has time to acclimate.
Process exhaust and makeup air determine how much dry outdoor air enters the building. Heating that air lowers its relative humidity even though heating alone does not remove its water vapor. Winter airflow is therefore a central sizing input.
FanMist uses high-pressure misting and moving air to add moisture to plant air. Fan location and nozzle output are selected to allow evaporation in open space above equipment, with controls matched to the production zones.
Set the right humidity target
The IHC paper guide uses 40% RH near 70°F as a planning example. Treat that as the guide’s design condition rather than a universal specification. Confirm the requirements of the substrate, coating, adhesive, printing process and equipment supplier.
Plan around the production line
For a converting area, start with the zone’s volume and outdoor-air exchange. Then identify process requirements for the specific stock and the conditions in adjacent storage. Those inputs let IHC review the moisture load and distribution plan together, instead of sizing solely from floor area.
Understand the load calculation →Projects in this industry
Rolled paper: two buildings, one coordinated installation
Two Midwest production buildings with more than 6.1 million cubic feet of air, 44 misting fans and a winter design target of 45% RH at 70°F.
Print and labels: two zones and carefully treated water
A 120,000-square-foot label plant with ten fans, two humidity-control zones and a deionized-water blending system set to approximately 50 ppm TDS.
Common questions
Can humidity control help with paper curl?
Moisture changes can contribute to curl and dimensional variation. Review the substrate’s conditioning requirements and actual room conditions alongside other process causes.
Should storage and production be considered together?
Yes. Material moving between different conditions can gain or lose moisture. Record both areas’ conditions and the time available for acclimation.