In printing, anti-set-off spray powder is used to make an air gap between printed sheets of paper. This enables the ink to dry naturally and therefore avoid the unwanted transfer of ink from one printed sheet to another. The problem can occur with most types of printing. Anti-set-off spray powder is generally made from natural starches from plants and vegetables. There remains a demand for soluble powders (sometimes known as vanished powders) based on natural sugars[1] which are often used when the final printed sheet is to be varnished. In addition there is still a relatively small amount of powder made from minerals (e.g. Calcium Carbonate, rather than Talc) used in offset litho printing; however these mineral powders are not so popular because of the potential health implications and abrasive properties.
