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RULE 4607 GRAPHIC ARTS AND PAPER, FILM, FOIL AND FABRIC COATINGS 

(Adopted April 11, 1991; Amended September 19, 1991; Amended December 

17, 1992; Amended March 31, 1993; Amended May 19, 1994; Amended 

September 17, 1997; Amended December 20, 2001, Amended September 20, 

2007, Amended December 18, 2008) 

1.0 Purpose 

The purpose of this rule is to limit VOC emissions from graphic arts printing operations, 

digital printing operations, and paper, film, foil or fabric coating operations. 

2.0 Applicability 

This rule is applicable to any graphic arts printing operation, to digital printing operations, 

and to any paper, film, foil, or fabric coating operation and to the organic solvent 

cleaning materials and processes associated with such operations. 

3.0 Definitions 

3.1 Aerosol Adhesive: an adhesive that is dispensed from a hand-held selfpressurized container by means of propellant induced force. 

3.2 Aerosol Product: a hand-held, non-refillable container that expels a pressurized 

solvent-containing product by means of a propellant-induced force. 

 3.3 APCO: as defined in Rule 1020 (Definitions). 

3.4 Application Equipment: a device, including, but not limited to, a spray gun, 

brush, roller, and a printing press, used to apply adhesives, coatings, or inks. 

3.5 Application Process: any process where surface coatings are applied and/or 

cured to paper or fabric on a coating line. Such coating line shall include 

coating applicators, heating or drying ovens, any dryers, and other equipment 

where VOC emissions occur. 

3.6 ARB: California Air Resources Board. 

3.7 ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials. 

3.8 Bench Scale Project: a project (other than at a research and development 

facility) that is operated on a small scale, such as one capable of being located 

on a laboratory bench top. 
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3.9 Blanket: a synthetic rubber mat used in offset-lithography to transfer or "offset" 

an image from a planographic printing plate to paper or other substrate. 

3.10 Blanket Repair Material: the material used in offset printing to correct low 

spots in the press blanket. 

3.11 Blanket Wash: a solvent used to remove ink from the blanket of a press. 

3.12 Capture Efficiency: in percent, is the ratio of the weight of the VOC in the 

effluent stream entering the control device to the weight of VOC emitted from 

the operation, both measured simultaneously, and can be calculated by the 

following equation: 

Capture Efficiency = [Wc/We] x 100 

Where: 

Wc = weight of VOC entering control device 

We = weight of VOC emitted from the operation 

3.13 CFR: Code of Federal Regulations. 

3.14 Coating: the application of a uniform layer of material across the entire width 

of a substrate. Those machines which have both coating and printing units 

should be considered as performing a printing operation. Coating applications 

that are not performed in association with a printing operation are considered 

coating operations and are not graphic arts printing operations. 

 3.15 Coating Line: a series of coating applicators, flash-off areas, and any associated 

curing/drying equipment between one or more unwind/feed stations and one or 

more rewind/cutting stations. 

3.16 Control Device: equipment such as an incinerator or adsorber, or 

cooler/condenser filtration used to prevent air pollutants from being emitted into 

the atmosphere. 
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3.17 Control Device Efficiency: in percent, is the ratio of the weight of the VOC 

removed by the control device from the effluent stream entering the control 

device to the weight of the VOC in the effluent stream entering the control 

device, both measured simultaneously, and can be calculated by the following 

equation: 

Control Device Efficiency = [(Wc - Wd ) / Wc ] x 100 

Where: 

Wc = Weight of VOC entering control device 

Wd = Weight of VOC discharged from the control device 

3.18 Converting Operation: coating, waxing, laminating, extrusion coating, or 

printing, to fabricate base materials which are then used to produce wraps, bags, 

and other pre-formed packages. 

3.19 Conventional Printing Operations: those printing operations that utilize physical 

masters, stencils, screens or plates during the printing process. Conventional 

printing operations use technologies including but not limited to lithography, 

flexography, gravure, letterpress, and screen printing. 

3.20 Cured Adhesive, Cured Coating, or Cured Ink: an adhesive, coating, or ink 

that is dry to the touch. 

3.21 Degreaser: a tank, tray, drum or other container in which objects to be cleaned 

are exposed to a solvent or solvent vapor in order to remove contaminants. The 

objects to be cleaned include, but are not limited to, parts, products, tools, 

machinery, and equipment. An enclosed spray application equipment cleaning 

system is not a degreaser. 

3.22 Die Coater (or Slit Coater): a type of application equipment that coats an object 

by flowing coatings through a slit directly onto the object moving past the slit. 

3.23 Digital Printer: a printing device that uses a computer-driven machine to 

transfer an electronic image to a substrate through the use of inks, toners, or 

other graphic materials. Digital printing technologies include, but are not 

limited to, various forms of inkjet, thermography, electrophotography, 

ionography, and magnetography. 

3.24 Digital Printing Operations: those operations that do not use a physical master, 

stencils, or plates but use digital data to control the deposition of ink, toner, or 

dye to create images. 
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3.25 Dip Coater: a type of application equipment that coats an object by submerging 

the object in a vat of coating, and subsequently withdrawing the object and 

draining off the excess coating. 

3.26 Dissolver: an organic solvent that is added to an adhesive, coating, or ink in 

order to melt or to liquefy solid particles. 

3.27 Doctor Blade: a steel blade used to scrape excess ink from a printing plate or 

inking cylinder. 

3.28 Dryer: a hot air, high velocity system used to dry inks on printed or coated 

substrate. 

3.29 Dye Sublimation: an imaging process that vaporizes colorant with heat and 

pressure, and deposits it onto a substrate in order to simulate a continuous tone 

image. Dye sublimation is a digital printing technology. 

3.30 Electron Beam Ink: ink that, when exposed to electron energy, crosslinks or 

solidifies in milliseconds. 

3.31 Electrophotography: a digital printing technology that works by recording an 

image on a drum in the form of an electrostatic charge, which is then transferred 

to the substrate. Electrophotography includes such technologies as laser 

printers, xerography, and liquid electrophotography. 

3.32 Electrostatic Application: a method of applying coating whereby atomized paint 

droplets are charged and subsequently deposited on the substrate by electrostatic 

attraction. 

3.33 EPA: United States Environmental Protection Agency. 

3.34 Exempt Organic Compounds: all organic compounds not classified as VOC, as 

listed in Rule 1020 (Definitions). 

3.35 Extreme Performance Ink/Coating: an ink or coating used in screen printing on 

a non-porous substrate that is designed to resist or withstand any of the 

following: 

3.35.1 more than two years of outdoor exposure; or 

3.35.2 exposure to industrial-grade chemicals, solvents, acids, or detergents, oil 

products, cosmetics, temperatures exceeding 170o

F, vacuum-forming, 

embossing or molding. 
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3.36 Fabric Coating: any decorative or protective coating or reinforcing material 

applied or impregnated into textile fabric, vinyl coated textile fabric, or vinyl 

sheets. 

3.37 Film Coating: a coating applied in a web coating process on any film substrate 

other than paper or fabric, including but not limited to typewriter ribbons, 

photographic film, magnetic tape, and metal foil gift wrap, but excluding 

coatings applied to packaging used exclusively for food and health care products 

for human or animal consumption. 

3.38 Fine Arts Painting: any unique visual representation, consisting of paint, ink, 

or other media, hand applied to a substrate of canvas, wood, paper, metal, or 

other material. 

3.39 Flexible Packaging: any package or part of a package the shape of which can 

readily be changed. Flexible packaging includes, but is not limited to, bags, 

pouches, liners, and wraps utilizing paper, plastic, film, aluminum foil, 

metalized or coated paper or film, or any combination of these materials. 

3.40 Flexible Packaging Industry: establishments that convert materials consisting of 

light gauge papers, plastic films, cellulosic films such as cellophane, thin gauge 

metal sheets such as aluminum foil or steel foil, and combinations thereof into a 

variety of product packages. 

3.41 Flexographic Printing: the application of words, designs, or pictures to a 

substrate by means of a roll printing technique in which the pattern is applied to 

an image carrier made of rubber or other elastomeric materials. The image to 

be printed is raised above the carrier surface, while the non-image area is not 

raised. 

3.42 Flow Coater: a coating application system with no air supplied to the nozzle 

and where paint flows over the part and the excess coating drains back into the 

collection system. 

3.43 Foam Coater: a coating application system that coats an object by flowing foam 

through holes or a slit directly onto the object moving underneath it. 

3.44 Foil Coating: a coating applied in a web coating process on any foil substrate 

other than paper or fabric, including but not limited to typewriter ribbons, 

photographic film, magnetic tape, and metal foil gift wrap, but excluding 

coatings applied to packaging used exclusively for food and health care products 

for human and animal consumption. 
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3.45 Fountain Solution: solution composed mainly of water and contains at least one 

of the following materials: etchants such as mineral salts; hydrophilic gums; or 

other additives, which is applied to the image plate to maintain the hydrophilic 

properties of the non-image areas. 

3.46 Fugitive Emissions: emissions of VOC from any portion of the printing, 

coating, or laminating operation other than from the dryer. 

3.47 Grams of VOC Per Liter of Ink, Coating, Adhesive, or Wash Primer Less 

Water and Less Exempt Compounds: the weight of VOC per combined volume 

of VOC and coating solids, and can be calculated by the following equation: 

Grams of VOC per Liter of Ink, 

Coating, Adhesive, or Wash Primer = Ws - Ww - Wec 

Less Water and Less Exempt Compounds Vm - Vw - Vec 

Where: 

Ws = weight of volatile compounds, in grams 

Ww = weight of water, in grams 

Wec = weight of exempt compounds, in grams 

Vm = volume of material, in liters 

Vec = volume of exempt compounds, in liters 

Vw = volume of water, in liters 

3.48 Grams of VOC Per Liter of Material: the weight of VOC per volume of 

material and can be calculated by the following equation: 

Grams of VOC per Liter of Material = Ws - Ww - Wec 

Vm 

Where: 

Ws = weight of volatile compounds, in grams 

Ww = weight of water, in grams 

Wec = weight of exempt compounds, in grams 

Vm = volume of materials, in liters 

3.49 Graphic Arts Coating: the application of a uniform layer of material across the 

entire width of a substrate. Those machines which perform both coating and 

printing should be considered as performing a printing operation. For purposes 

of this rule, digital printing is not considered graphic arts coating operations. 
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3.50 Graphic Arts Printing Operations: those operations employing conventional 

printing operations, or any coating or laminating process associated with 

conventional printing to produce published products and packages. Organic 

solvent cleaning operations performed in order to produce published products 

and packages are considered to be part of graphic arts printing operations. 

 

3.51 Gravure Printing: an intaglio printing method in which the ink is transferred 

from minute etched wells on a cylinder to the substrate, which is supported by 

an impression roller with excess ink removed from the cylinder by a doctor 

blade. 

3.52 Hand Application Method: a method of applying a coating to a substrate using 

manually held, non-mechanically operated equipment. Such equipment includes 

paintbrushes, hand rollers, caulking guns, trowels, spatulas, syringe daubers, 

rags, and sponges. 

3.53 Heating Oven: a device into which paper or fabric is put to dry or cure the 

applied coating by applying heat. 

3.54 Heatset Ink: a quick-drying ink in which the solvents are vaporized by passing 

the printed surface through a heater or oven. 

3.55 High-Volume, Low-Pressure (HVLP) Spray Equipment: equipment used to 

apply materials by means of a spray gun which is designed and intended to be 

operated, and which is operated, between 0.1 and 10.0 psig of air atomizing 

pressure, measured dynamically at the center of the air cap and the air horns. 

3.56 Ink Jet: a digital printing technology in which ink is ejected through printheads 

onto a substrate to create an image. 

3.57 Intaglio Printing: printing done from a plate or cylinder in which the image is 

sunk below (etched or engraved into) the surface. 

3.58 Ionography: a digital printing technology that utilizes a directed array of ions to 

create a charge on a nonconductive surface to create an image. Ionography can 

also be known as ion deposition or electron charge deposition printing. 

3.59 Key system operating parameters: those parameters necessary to ensure 

compliance with Section 5.6, including, but not limited to, temperature, 

pressure drop, and air flow rate. 

3.60 Lamination: a process of composing two or more layers of material to form a 

single, multiple-layer sheet by using an adhesive. 
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3.61 Letterpress Printing: a method where the image area is raised relative to the 

non-image area and the ink is transferred to the paper directly from the image 

surface. 

3.62 Line: the minimum equipment which is required for the application and/or 

drying of inks and/or curing of ultraviolet coatings of inks, or coatings on a 

substrate, including the ink and/or coating applicators and drying systems, and 

associated ink and coating agitation and delivery systems. 

3.63 Liquid Leak: a visible solvent leak from a container at a rate of more than three 

drops per minute, or a visible liquid mist. 

3.64 Liquid Electrophotography (LEP): a digital printing technology that records a 

latent electrostatic image on a photoconductive surface, such as a drum or belt. 

The image created by applying toner to the charged areas of the photoconductor 

is electrically transferred to an intermediate surface. In a second transfer 

process, the image is released from the blanket surface to the final substrate, 

cooling rapidly as the substrate passes between the blanket and an impression 

drum, causing the image to “peel off” the blanket and be affixed to the 

substrate. This operation repeats itself on the one printing station for every 

color separation in the image. 

 

3.65 Lithographic Printing: a plane-o-graphic printing method in which the image 

and non-image areas are on the same plane. 

3.66 Magnetography: a digital printing technology whereby an image is printed using a 

magnetic toner, electromagnetic write heads, and magnetic fields on an imaging 

drum. 

3.67 Maintenance Cleaning: a solvent cleaning operation or activity carried out to keep 

tools, machinery, equipment (excluding ink, coating, or adhesive application 

equipment) or general work areas in clean and good operational condition. 

3.68 Manufacturing Process: the process of making goods or articles by hand or by 

machine. 

3.69 Matte Finish Flexographic Ink: a printing ink which is applied on non-porous 

substrates in flexographic printing operations and contains at least five percent 

by weight silicon dioxide flattening agent. 

3.70 Metallic Finish Flexographic Ink: a printing ink which is applied on non-porous 

substrates in flexographic printing operations and contains at least 28 percent by 

weight elemental metal particles. 
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3.71 Metallic Ink: ink containing at least 50 grams of elemental metal particles per 

liter of ink (0.4 lb/gal) as applied and which is not used in the manufacture of an 

electronic circuit. 

3.72 Non-Absorbent Container: a container made of non-porous material that does 

not allow the migration of solvents through it. 

3.73 Non-Atomized Solvent Flow: solvents in the form of a liquid stream without 

the introduction of any propellant. 

3.74 Non-heatset Ink: an ink which dries by oxidation and/or absorption into the 

substrate without use of heat from dryers or ovens. 

3.75 Non-Leaking Container: a container without liquid leak. 

3.76 Non-porous Substrate: any substrate whose surface prevents penetration by 

water, including but not limited to foil, polyethylene, polypropylene, 

cellophane, metalized polyester, nylon, and polyethylene terephthalate (mylar), 

paper or paperboard coated with non-porous surface. Clay coated printing 

paper as defined by the American Paper Institute Classification System, and 

paperboard coated with clay to prevent water penetration, shall be considered 

non-porous substrates. 

3.77 Offset Lithographic Printing: a plane-o-graphic method in which the image and 

non-image areas are on the same plane and the ink is offset from a plate to a 

rubber blanket, and then from the blanket to the substrate. 

3.78 On-Press Component: a part, component, or accessory of a press that is cleaned 

while still being physically attached to the press. 

 3.79 Operation: any physical action resulting in a change in the location, form, or 

physical properties of a material, or any chemical action resulting in a change in 

the chemical composition or the chemical or physical properties of a material. 

3.80 Operator: includes but is not limited to any person who owns, leases, 

supervises, or operates a facility and/or equipment. 

3.81 Organic Solvent: the same as “Solvent.” 

3.82 Organic Solvent Cleaning: as defined in Rule 4663 (Organic Solvent Cleaning, 

Storage, and Disposal). 

3.83 Packaging Gravure: gravure printing on paper, paperboard, foil, film, or other 

substrates which are to be used to produce containers or packages. 
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3.84 Pantone Ink: a printing ink created for color matching by combination of process 

inks. 

3.85 Paper Coating: any coating applied on or impregnated into paper, including, but 

not limited to, adhesive tapes and labels, book covers, post cards, office copier 

paper, drafting paper, and pressure sensitive tapes. 

3.86 Plastisizer: a material used to keep plastic material soft and viscous. 

3.87 Plastisol: a coating that is a liquid dispersion of small particles of resins and 

plastisizers that are fused to become a plastic. 

3.88 Porous Substrate: a substrate whose surface does not prevent penetration by 

water, including but not limited to, paper, paperboard, and any paper product 

coated with a porous material. 

3.89 Process Ink: in printing, the hues: yellow, magenta, and cyan, plus black in the 

four-color print process. 

3.90 Proof Press: a press used only for printing a sample copy of a graphic art product 

to check the quality of print, color reproduction and editorial content. 

3.91 Propellant: any gas, including air, in a pressure container for expelling the 

contents when the pressure is released. 

3.92 Publication Gravure: gravure printing on a substrate which is subsequently 

formed into books, magazines, catalogs, brochures, directories, newspaper 

supplements or other types of printed materials. 

3.93 Removable Press Component: a part, component, or accessory of a press that is 

physically attached to the press but is disassembled and removed from the press 

prior to being cleaned. Rollers, blankets, metering rollers, fountains, impression 

cylinders and plates shall not be considered as removable press components. 

3.94 Repair Cleaning: a solvent cleaning operation or activity carried out during a 

repair process. 

3.95 Repair Process: the process of returning a damaged object or an object not 

operating properly to good condition. 
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3.96 Research and Development: a facility or portion thereof used to further the 

development of useful materials, devices, systems, or methods, including, but 

not limited to, design, development, and improvement of prototypes and 

processes. Research and development does not include the manufacturing 

process itself. 

3.97 Resists: inks that are screen printed to form the required patterns, alphabets, 

numerals, designs, or symbols on the surface of the substrate; protect the screen 

printed or covered surface from the subsequent application of etching or plating 

solution; and are later removed from the substrate by a resist stripper. Resist 

applications include, but are not limited to, etched electronic circuits, display 

screens, chemical milling of parts, nameplates and signage. 

3.98 Roll Coater: a type of application equipment in which a series of mechanical 

rollers form a thin coating film on the surface of a roller, which is subsequently 

applied to a substrate by moving the substrate underneath the roller. 

3.99 Roller Wash: a solvent used to remove ink from the rollers of a press. 

 

3.100 SCAQMD: South Coast Air Quality Management District. 

3.101 Screen Printing: a commercial and industrial printing technique which involves 

the passage of a printing medium, such as ink, through a taut web or fabric to 

which a refined form of stencil has been applied. The stencil openings determine 

the form and dimension of the imprint. 

3.102 Screen Printing Metallic Ink: an ink used in screen printing that contains greater 

than 50 grams of elemental metal per liter (0.4 lb/gal) of ink as applied. 

3.103 Sign Ink/Coating: an ink or coating used in screen printing indoor and outdoor 

signs (excluding structural components) and murals, including lettering enamels, 

poster colors, copy blockers, and bulletin enamels. 

3.104 Solvent: as defined in Rule 4663 (Organic Solvent Cleaning, Storage, and 

Disposal). 

3.105 Solvent Flushing: the use of a solvent to remove uncured adhesives, uncured 

inks, uncured coatings, or contaminants from the internal surfaces and passages 

of equipment by flushing solvent, by a non-atomized solvent flow, through the 

equipment. 

3.106 Specialty Flexographic Printing: a flexographic printing on polyethylene or 

polypropylene food packaging, fertilizer bags, or liquid-tight food containers. 
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3.107 Specialty Gravure Printing: printing that uses the gravure process for production 

of wall and floor covering, decorated household paper products such as towels and 

tissues, cigarette filter tips, vinyl upholstery, woodgrains, and a wide variety of 

other products. 

3.108 Specialty Ink: an ink that is applied only on non-porous substrates in flexographic 

printing operations, and is either: 

3.108.1 a metallic ink that contains at least 28 percent elemental metallic 

powder, by weight; or 

3.108.2 a matte finish ink containing at least 5 percent silicon dioxide flattening 

agent, by weight. 

3.109 Stationary Source: as defined in Rule 2201 (New and Modified Stationary 

Source Review Rule). 

3.110 Stereolithography: a type of printing process that employs a system using a 

light to solidify photocurable resins in a desired configuration in order to 

produce a 3-dimensional object. 

3.111 Stripping: the use of solvent to remove material such as cured adhesives, cured 

inks, cured or dried paint, cured or dried paint residue or temporary protective 

coating. 

3.112 Substrate Retention Factor: a fraction, expressed in percent, of VOCs in 

lithographic inks which is retained in the substrate when the inks dry by adsorption 

or absorption. 

3.113 Surface Preparation: the removal of contaminants from a surface prior to the 

application of coatings, inks, or adhesives or before proceeding to the next step 

of a manufacturing process. 

3.114 Thermography: a digital printing technology that creates an image via a 

chemical reaction that occurs when portions of a thermal-coated substrate are 

subjected to heat. Thermographic technologies include but are not limited to 

thermal wax transfer, multi-bit thermal wax transfer, and dye sublimation. 

3.115 Thinner: a solvent that is used to dilute coatings or inks to reduce viscosity, 

color strength, and solids, or to modify drying conditions. 

3.116 Ultraviolet (UV) Ink: an ink which dries by polymerization reaction by 

ultraviolet or electron beam radiation. 
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3.117 Viscosity Reducer: an organic solvent which is added to an adhesive, coating or 

ink to make it more fluid. 

3.118 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): as defined in Rule 1020 (Definitions). 

3.119 Wash Primer: a material used to clean and/or to activate surfaces of paper or 

fabric that contains no more than 5 percent, by weight, solid materials. 

3.120 Waste Solvent Material: any solvent which may contain dirt, oil, metal 

particles, sludge, and/or waste products, or wiping material containing VOCs 

including, but not limited to, paper, cloth, sponge, rag, or cotton swab used in 

organic solvent cleaning. 

3.121 Water Slide Decal: a decal that is screen printed onto treated paper stock and is 

removable from the stock by the dissolution of an underlying water- soluble 

adhesive or similar carrier. 

3.122 Web: a continuous sheet of substrate. 

3.123 Web Feed: an automatic system which supplies substrates from a web. 

3.124 Web Splicing Adhesive: an adhesive used to join two continuous rolls of 

substrate materials. 

3.125 Wipe Cleaning: a solvent cleaning activity performed by hand rubbing an 

absorbent material such as a rag, paper, sponge, brush, or cotton swab 

containing solvent. 

4.0 Exemptions 

4.1 The requirements of this rule, except for the recordkeeping requirements of 

Section 6.1, shall not apply to the following operations: 

4.1.1 Effective until December 31, 2009, any graphic arts printing operation 

which emits less than 400 pounds of VOC per calendar month. 

4.1.2 On and after January 1, 2010 any graphic arts printing operation that 

emits less than 200 pounds of VOC per 12 rolling consecutive calendar 

months. 

4.1.3 Blanket repair materials used in containers of four (4) fluid ounces or 

less. 

4.1.4 Digital printers and digital printing operations. 
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4.2 The exemptions in Section 4.1 shall not apply to paper, film, foil, or fabric 

coating operations as defined in Section 3.0. 

4.3 The requirements of this rule shall not apply to: 

4.3.1 Proof presses; 

4.3.2 Aerosol adhesives; 

4.3.3 The application of coatings and use of cleaning solvents in creating fine 

arts paintings; 

4.3.4 Stripping of cured coatings, cured adhesives, and cured inks, except 

the stripping of such materials from spray application equipment; 

4.3.5 Cleaning operations in printing pre-press or graphic arts pre-press 

areas, including the cleaning of film processors, color scanners, plate 

processors, film cleaning, and plate cleaning. 

4.4 The provisions of Section 5.5 shall not apply to the application of coatings via 

aerosol products, as defined in Section 3.0. 

4.5 The VOC content limits of Table 7 shall not apply to cleaning in laboratory tests 

and analyses, or bench scale or research and development projects. 

5.0 Requirements 

5.1 Graphic Arts Printing Operation 

An operator performing a graphic arts printing operation, not subject to Section 

5.2, 5.3, 5.4, or 5.5, shall not use graphic arts materials in excess of the VOC 

content limits in Table 1 and Table 2, in accordance with the corresponding 

effective date. 
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Table 1 

VOC Content Limits for Inks, Coatings, and Adhesives 

Material 

Grams of VOC per liter 

(lb/gal), less water and 

less exempt compounds, as 

applied, effective through 

December 31, 2009 

Grams of VOC per liter 

(lb/gal), less water and 

less exempt compounds, as 

applied, effective on and 

after January 1, 2010 

Flexographic Ink on Porous 

Substrates Ink 300 (2.5) 225 (1.88) 

All Other Inks 300 (2.5) 300 (2.5) 

Coatings 300 (2.5) 300 (2.5) 

Adhesives 150 (1.25) 150 (1.25) 

Web Splicing Adhesives 300 (2.5) 150 (1.25) 

Table 2 

VOC Content Limits for Fountain Solution 

Fountain Solution 

Percent VOC by Volume,

effective through 

December 31, 2009 

Percent VOC by Volume, 

effective on and after 

January 1, 2010 

Heatset Web Offset Lithographic 8 1.6 

Coldset Web Offset Lithographic 8 5.0 

Sheet-fed Offset Lithographic 

with maximum sheet size greater

than 11 x 17 inches 8 5.0 

All Other Presses 8 8.0 

5.2 Flexographic Specialty Ink 

5.2.1 An operator using a flexographic printing operation shall not use a 

specialty ink in excess of the VOC content limit in Table 3, and shall not 

use more than 2 gallons of specialty inks in a calendar day and 120 

gallons of specialty inks in a calendar year. 
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Table 3 

VOC Content Limits for Flexographic Specialty Ink 

Material 

Grams of VOC per liter 

(lb/gal), less water and 

less exempt compounds, as 

applied, effective through 

December 31, 2009 

Grams of VOC per liter 

(lb/gal), less water and 

less exempt compounds, 

as applied, effective on 

and after January 1, 2010

Metallic Ink 485 (4.1) 460 (3.8) 

Matte Finish Ink 535 (4.5) 535 (4.5) 

Metallic Ink and Matte 

Finish Ink on Flexible 

Package Printing -- 383 (3.2) 

5.2.2 On and after January 1, 2009, facilities with the potential to emit or 

with actual emissions of at least 10 tons VOC in any calendar year 

shall not use specialty inks with VOC content greater than 300 grams 

VOC per liter, less water and exempt compounds, as applied. 

5.3 Coldset Web Offset Lithographic Fountain Solution 

On and after January 1, 2010, an operator performing coldset web offset 

lithographic printing shall use fountain solution with that is five percent alcohol 

substitute or less, by weight, and shall have no alcohol in the fountain solution. 

5.4 Screen Printing Operation 

An operator using a screen printing operation shall not use graphic arts materials 

in excess of the VOC content limits, as applied, in Table 4. 

Table 4 

VOC Content Limits for Screen Printing Inks, Coatings, and Adhesives 

Material Grams of VOC per liter (lb/gal), less water 

and less exempt compounds 

Inks and Coatings 400 (3.3) 

Adhesives 150 (1.25) 

Resists 600 (5.0) 
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5.5 Paper, Film, Foil, or Fabric Coating Operation 

5.5.1 An operator using a paper, film, foil, or fabric coating operation shall 

not use any coating or wash primer in excess of the VOC content limits, 

as applied, in Table 5. 

Table 5 

VOC Content Limits of Paper, Film, Foil, or Fabric Coating and Wash Primer 

Material 

VOC Content Limit. Effective 

through December 31, 2009

VOC Content Limit. Effective 

on and after January 1, 2010 

Coating 

265 gm/liter (2.2 lb/gal) of 

coating, less water and exempt 

compounds 

265 gm/liter (2.2 lb/gal) of 

coating, less water and exempt 

compounds 

Wash Primer 

265 gm/liter (2.2 lb/gal) of 

material 

265 gm/liter (2.2 lb/gal) of 

material 

Plastisols --- 20 gm/liter (0.16 lb/gal) 

5.5.2 On and after January 1, 2010, an operator performing pressure sensitive 

tape and label surface coating operations shall not use any VOC content 

materials or combinations of materials that exceed a VOC content of 

either 0.20 kg of VOC/kg of solids (0.20 lb VOC/lb of solids), as 

applied, or an additional limit of 0.067 kg VOC/kg of coating (0.067 lb 

of VOC/lb of coating), as applied. 

5.6 Approved VOC Emission Control System 

5.6.1 Heatset Web Offset Lithographic or Letterpress 

On and after January 1, 2010, an operator performing heatset web offset 

lithographic or letterpress printing that has greater than 25 tpy potential to emit 

prior to controls shall use an add-on control device, on the dryers, as follows: 

5.6.1.1 Heatset web offset lithographic or letterpress printer control device 

installed prior to December 31, 2008 shall have an overall capture 

control efficiency of 90%. 

5.6.1.2 Heatset web offset lithographic or letterpress printer control device 

installed after December 31, 2008 shall have an overall capture control 

efficiency of 95%. 
SJVUAPCD 4607- 18 12/18/2008 

 

5.6.2 In lieu of compliance with Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.7, or 5.8 an 

operator may use a VOC emission control system. The VOC emission control 

system must meet all of the following requirements: 

5.6.2.1 The VOC emission control system shall be approved, in writing, by the 

APCO. 

5.6.2.2 During continuous operation, not to exceed 24 hours, the VOC 

emission control system shall have a minimum overall VOC capture 

and control efficiency as specified in Table 6, in accordance with the 

corresponding effective date; 

Table 6 

VOC Emission Control System Overall Capture and Control Efficiency 

Process 

Overall VOC capture and 

control efficiency %, by 

weight, effective through 

December 31, 2009 

Overall VOC capture and 

control efficiency %, by 

weight, effective on and 

after January 1, 2010 

Flexible Package Printing 

(All Technologies) 67% 80% 

Publication Gravure 75% 85% 

Other Printing Operations 67% 75% 

Paper, Film, Foil, or Fabric 

Coating Operations 86% 90% 

5.6.2.3 The collection system shall vent all drying oven exhaust to the control 

device and shall have one or more inlets for collection of fugitive 

emissions; and 

5.6.2.4 The VOC emission control system shall reduce VOC emissions, at all 

times, to a level that is not greater than the emissions which would 

have been achieved through the use of compliant materials, compliant 

equipment or compliant work practices in Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 

5.5, 5.7, or 5.8. 
SJVUAPCD 4607- 19 12/18/2008 

 

5.7 Coating Application Equipment 

No operator shall apply coatings unless coatings are applied with equipment 

operated according to manufacturer's specifications, and only by the use of one 

of the following types of coating application equipment: 

5.7.1 Flow coater, 

5.7.2 Roll coater, 

5.7.3 Dip coater, 

5.7.4 Foam coater, 

5.7.5 Die coater, 

5.7.6 Hand application methods, or 

5.7.7 High-volume, low- pressure (HVLP) spray for air dried coatings 

5.7.7.1 For HVLP spray guns manufactured prior to January 1, 1996, 

the end user shall demonstrate that the gun meets HVLP spray 

equipment standards. Satisfactory proof will be either in the 

form of manufacturer's published technical material or by a 

demonstration using a certified air pressure tip gauge, 

measuring the air atomizing pressure dynamically at the 

center of the air cap and at the air horns. 

5.7.7.2 A person shall not sell or offer for sale for use within the 

District any HVLP spray gun without a permanent marking 

denoting the maximum inlet air pressure in psig at which the 

gun will operate within the parameters specified in Section 

3.0. 

5.7.8 Other coating application methods which are demonstrated to the APCO 

to be capable of achieving at least 65 percent transfer efficiency as 

determined in accordance with Section 6.4. Prior written approval from 

the APCO shall be obtained for each alternative method used. 

5.7.9 In lieu of complying with Sections 5.6.1 through 5.6.8, an operator may 

control emissions from the coating application equipment with a VOC 

emission control system that meets the requirements of Section 5.6. 
SJVUAPCD 4607- 20 12/18/2008 

 

5.8 Organic Solvent Cleaning 

5.8.1 An operator shall not use organic solvents for cleaning operations that 

exceed the VOC content limits specified in Table 7 in accordance with 

the corresponding effective date. 

Table 7 

VOC Content Limits for Solvent Cleaning 

Type of Solvent Cleaning Operation 

VOC Content 

Limit Grams of 

VOC/liter of 

material (lb/gal), 

effective through 

December 31, 

2009 

VOC Content 

Limit Grams of 

VOC/liter of 

material (lb/gal), 

effective on and 

after January 1, 

2010 

A. Product Cleaning During Manufacturing Process; or 

Surface Preparation for Coating, Ink, or Adhesive 

Application 25 (0.21) 25 (0.21) 

B. Repair and Maintenance Cleaning 25 (0.21) 25 (0.21) 

C. Cleaning of Coating or Adhesive Application 

Equipment 25 (0.21) 25 (0.21) 

D. Cleaning of Ink Application Equipment 

1. General 25 (0.21) 25 (0.21) 

2. Flexographic Printing 25 (0.21) 25 (0.21) 

3. Specialty Flexographic Printing 100 (0.83) 100 (0.83) 

4. Gravure Printing 

4.1 Publication 100 (0.83) 100 (0.83) 

4.2 Packaging 25 (0.21) 25 (0.21) 

5. Lithographic (Offset) or Letterpress Printing 

5.1 Roller Wash – Step 1 500 (4.2) 100 (0.83) 

5.2 Roller Wash – Step 2; Roller Wash – not 

specified; Blanket Wash, and On-Press 

Components 500 (4.2) 100 (0.83) 

5.3 Removable Press Components 25 (0.21) 25 (0.21) 

6. Screen Printing 500 (4.2) 100 (0.83) 

7. Ultraviolet Ink/Electron Beam Ink Application 

Equipment (except screen printing) 650 (5.4) 100 (0.83) 
SJVUAPCD 4607- 21 12/18/2008 

 

5.8.2 An operator performing the following cleaning operations from Table 7 

outside of an APCO-approved VOC emission control system and using 

solvent with VOC content greater than 25 g/L shall meet the 

requirements of Sections 5.8.3 through 5.8.5, in addition to meeting the 

applicable VOC content limits of Table 7. 

5.8.3 Solvent Cleaning Methods 

Cleaning activities that use solvents with VOC content greater than 25 

grams per liter of material shall be performed by one or more of the 

following methods: 

5.8.3.1 Wipe cleaning; or 

5.8.3.2 Application of solvent from hand-held spray bottles from which 

solvents are dispensed without a propellant-induced force; or 

5.8.3.3 Non-atomized solvent flow method in which the cleaning 

solvent is collected in a container or a collection system which 

is closed except for solvent collection openings and, if 

necessary, openings to avoid excessive pressure build-up inside 

the container; or 

5.8.3.4 Solvent flushing method in which the cleaning solvent is 

discharged into a container that is closed except for solvent 

collection openings and, if necessary, openings to avoid 

excessive pressure build-up inside the container. The 

discharged solvent from the equipment must be collected into 

containers without atomizing into the open air. The solvent 

may be flushed through the system by air or hydraulic pressure, 

or by pumping. 

5.8.4 Solvent shall not be atomized into the open air unless it is vented to a 

VOC emission control system that complies with Section 5.6. This 

provision shall not apply to printing operations where the roller or 

blanket wash is applied automatically and the cleaning of nozzle tips of 

automated spray equipment systems, except for robotic systems, and 

cleaning with spray bottles or containers described in Section 5.8.3.2. 
SJVUAPCD 4607- 22 12/18/2008 

 

5.8.5 An operator shall not use VOC-containing materials to clean spray 

equipment used for the application of coatings, adhesives, or ink, unless 

an enclosed system or equipment that is proven to be equally effective at 

controlling emissions is used for cleaning. If an enclosed system is used, 

it must totally enclose spray guns, cups, nozzles, bowls, and other parts 

during washing, rinsing and draining procedures, and it must be used 

according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and must be closed 

when not in use. 

5.8.6 In lieu of complying with the VOC content limits of Table 7 or the 

provisions of Sections 5.8.3 through 5.8.5, an operator may control 

emissions from cleaning operations with an APCO-approved VOC 

emission control system that meets the requirements of Section 5.6. 

5.9 Organic Solvent Disposal and Storage 

An operator shall store or dispose of fresh or spent solvents, waste solvent 

cleaning materials, coatings, adhesives, catalysts, thinners, and ink in closed, 

non-absorbent and non-leaking containers. The containers shall remain closed at 

all times except when depositing or removing the contents of the containers or 

when the container is empty. 

5.10 Work Practices 

An operator shall properly use and properly operate all graphic arts printing 

technologies as directed and/or specified by the manufacturer of the printer or 

graphic arts material. 

6.0 Administrative Requirements 

6.1 Recordkeeping 

An operator subject to the provisions of this rule, including stationary sources 

exempt pursuant to Sections 4.1 shall maintain the following records on-site for 

a minimum of five years, and make records available to the APCO, ARB, and 

EPA upon request: 

6.1.1 Materials List 

Maintain a current file documenting coatings, inks, adhesives, fountain 

solutions, wash primers, and solvents in use and in storage. The file 

shall include a material safety data sheet (MSDS) or product data sheet 

showing the material name, manufacturer's name, VOC content as 

applied, specific mixing instructions, and density. 
SJVUAPCD 4607- 23 12/18/2008 

 

6.1.2 Compliant Materials Records 

If only compliant materials in Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, or Table 

7 are used to comply with the rule: 

6.1.2.1 Record, on a monthly basis, the type and amount of all inks 

used according to one of the following methods: 

6.1.2.1.1 Group the quantity of all inks used and identify the 

maximum VOC content and use the minimum 

density of 1,010 gm/liter (8.44 lb/gal); or 

6.1.2.1.2 Report process inks and pantone inks separately and 

use specific VOC content and density value for each 

process ink, and the highest VOC content and the 

minimum density of 1,010 gm/liter (8.44 lb/gal) for 

pantone inks; or 

6.1.2.1.3 Report process inks and pantone inks separately and 

use the maximum VOC content and minimum 

density value for both process and pantone inks, or 

use the density of 1,010 gm/liter (8.44 lb/gal) for 

pantone inks; or 

6.1.2.1.4 Itemize each ink and pantone ink and use the specific 

VOC content and density value for each. 

6.1.2.2 Record, on a monthly basis, the type and amount of each 

coating, adhesive, wash primer, and solvent (including cleaning 

solvent) used. 

6.1.2.3 Record, on a monthly basis, the type, amount, and percent 

VOC by volume of fountain solution used. 

6.1.3 Noncompliant Materials Records 

If noncompliant materials are used, and compliance with the rule is 

achieved through Section 5.6, the operator shall record, on a daily basis, 

the type and amount of all inks, coatings, adhesives, fountain solutions, 

wash primers, and solvents (including non-compliant cleaning solvent) 

used. 
SJVUAPCD 4607- 24 12/18/2008 

 

6.1.4 Records for Flexographic Specialty Inks 

If flexographic specialty inks are used pursuant to Section 5.2, record, 

on a daily basis, the type and amount of each specialty ink used. 

6.1.5 VOC Emission Control System Records 

An operator using a VOC emission control system pursuant to Section 

5.6 as a means of complying with this rule shall maintain daily records 

of key system operating parameters to demonstrate continuous operation 

and compliance of the VOC emission control system during periods of 

emission-producing activities. 

6.1.6 Digital Printing Records 

6.1.6.1 On and after January 1, 2010, operators shall keep records, in 

accordance with Section 6.1.6.2, for each digital printer that: 

6.1.6.1.1 Uses solvent-based inks and has a print capacity of 

1,000 ft2

/hr or more, or 

6.1.6.1.2 Uses water-based inks, or UV inks and has a print 

capacity of 10,000 ft2

/hr or more, 

6.1.6.2 Operators with printers Subject to Section 6.1.6.1 shall keep the 

following records: 

6.1.6.2.1 A current file of inks, coatings, adhesives, and 

solvents in use and in storage. The file shall include 

a MSDS or product data sheet showing the material 

name, manufacturer's name, VOC content as 

applied, specific mixing instructions, and density. 

 

6.1.6.2.2 Monthly records of the type, and amount of each 

ink, coating, and/or adhesive used. 

6.1.6.2.3 Monthly records of the type, and amount of solvent 

used for thinning the ink, coating, or adhesive, and 

for cleaning. 
SJVUAPCD 4607- 25 12/18/2008 

 

6.2 Compliance Statement 

The manufacturer of inks, coatings, adhesives, fountain solutions, wash 

primers, and solvents which are sold for use in graphic arts printing operations, 

and paper, film, and foil or fabric coating operations within the District shall 

include a designation in the MSDS or product data sheet to include the material 

name, manufacturer's name, specific mixing instruction, VOC content, and 

density. 

6.3 Determination of VOC Emissions from Inks Used in a Lithographic Printing 

Operation 

For the purposes of determining compliance with emissions limits, and 

determining eligibility for exemption under Section 4.1 of this rule, the amount 

of VOC emitted from heatset and non-heatset inks used shall be discounted by 

the following substrate retention factors: 20 percent for heatset inks and 95 

percent for non-heatset inks. These substrate retention factors shall not be used 

when determining compliance of inks with applicable VOC content limits 

specified in this rule, and heatset and non-heatset lithographic inks shall meet 

the VOC content limits specified in Section 5.1, Table 1. 

6.4 Test Methods 

 The VOC content of materials subject to the provisions of this rule and overall 

capture and control efficiency of VOC emission control systems shall be 

determined by the following test methods specified in Sections 6.4.1 through 

6.4.9, or alternative test methods approved by the APCO, EPA, and ARB. 

6.4.1 Except for UV inks, the VOC content of printing inks, adhesives, 

fountain solutions, solvents and coatings shall be determined by using 

EPA Method 24 or 24A as applicable. The VOC content of UV inks, 

except for thin film UV inks, shall be determined by using ASTM 

D5403-93 (2007) (Test Methods for Volatile Content of Radiation 

Curable Materials). 

6.4.2 Exempt Compound Content: Exempt compound content shall be 

determined by using ARB Method 432, “Determination of 

Dichloromethane and 1,1,1-Trichlorethane in Paints and Coatings,” 

September 12, 1989; ARB Method 422 “Determination of Volatile 

Organic Compounds in Emission from Stationary Sources,” January 22, 

1987; or, SCAQMD Method 303-91 “Determination of Exempt 

Compounds,” August 1, 1996. 
SJVUAPCD 4607- 26 12/18/2008 

 

6.4.3 The content of silicon dioxide as a flattening agent in a matte finish ink 

shall be determined by using the latest EPA approved revision of ASTM 

D717-86 (Standard Test Methods for Analysis of Magnesium Silicate 

Pigment). 

6.4.4 The metal content of metallic inks shall be determined by SCAQMD 

Test Method 318, (Determination of Weight Percent Elemental Metal In 

Coatings by X-Ray Diffraction). 

6.4.5 Determination of emissions of VOC from spray gun cleaning systems shall 

be made using SCAQMD method "General Test Method for Determining 

Solvent Losses from Spray Gun Cleaning Systems," October 3, 1989. 

6.4.6 The transfer efficiency of alternative coating application methods shall be 

determined in accordance with the SCAQMD method “Spray Equipment 

Transfer Efficiency Test Procedure for Equipment User,” May 24, 1989. 

6.4.7 Determination of Overall Capture and Control Efficiency of VOC 

Emission Control Systems 

6.4.7.1 The capture efficiency of a VOC emission control system’s 

collection device(s) shall be determined according to EPA’s 

“Guidelines for Determining Capture Efficiency,” January 9, 

1995 and 40 CFR 51, Appendix M, Test Methods 204-204F, as 

applicable. 

6.4.7.2 The control efficiency of a VOC emission control system’s 

VOC control device(s) shall be determined using EPA Test 

Methods 2, 2A, or 2D for measuring flow rates and EPA Test 

Methods 25, 25A, or 25B for measuring total gaseous organic 

concentrations at the inlet and outlet of the control device(s). 

EPA Method 18 or ARB Method 422 shall be used to determine 

the emissions of exempt compounds. 
6.4.7.3 For VOC emission control systems that consist of a single VOC 

emission collection device connected to a single VOC emission 

control device, the overall capture and control efficiency shall 

be calculated by using the following equation: 

CECapture and Control = [ CECapture x CEControl ] / 100 

 Where: 

CECapture and Control = Overall Capture and Control Efficiency, in 

percent 

CECapture = Capture Efficiency of the collection device, 

in percent, as determined in Section 

6.4.8.1. 

CEControl = Control Efficiency of the control device, in 

percent, as determined in Section 6.4.8.2. 

6.4.7.4 The following equation shall be used to determine if the 

minimum required overall capture and control efficiency of an 

emission control system is at an equivalent or greater level of 

VOC reduction as would be achieved using compliant materials, 

equipment, or work practices, as stated in Section 5.6.2.4. 

( )

( ) CE = 1 - VOC

VOC

 x 

1 - VOC / D

1 - VOC c / D

 x 100 LWc

LWn,

LWn, n,

Max LW c

⎛ Max Max

⎝

⎜ ⎞

⎠

⎟ ⎡

⎣

⎢ ⎤

⎦

⎥

Where: 

CE = Minimum Required Overall Capture and 

Control Efficiency, percent 

VOCLWc = VOC Limit, less water and less exempt 

compounds 

VOCLWn,Max = Maximum VOC content of noncompliant ink 

(or coating or adhesive) used in conjunction 

with a control device, less water and less 

exempt compounds 

SJVUAPCD 4607- 27 12/18/2008 

 
SJVUAPCD 4607- 28 12/18/2008 

 

Dn,Max = Density of solvent, reducer, or thinner 

contained in the noncompliant ink (or coating 

or adhesive), containing the maximum VOC 

content of the multi-component ink (or coating, 

or adhesive) printing line 

Dc = Density of corresponding solvent, reducer, or 

thinner used in the compliant ink (or coating, 

or adhesive) system = 880 gm/liter. 

7.0 Compliance Schedule 

The operator who becomes subject to the emission limits/standards of this rule through 

loss of exemption in Section 4.0 shall not operate the subject equipment, except as 

required for obtaining a new or modified Permit-to-Operate, until the operator 

demonstrates that the operation is in full compliance with the requirements of this rule.