A-A-354 Pencil, Lithographic

January 18, 1980

COMMERCIAL ITEM DESCRIPTION

PENCIL, LITHOGRAPHIC

The General Services Administration has authorized the use of this

Commercial Item Description in lieu of Federal Specification SS-P-183.

This commercial item description covers two types of pencils used for writing and marking on lithographic paper plates used in the lithographic (offset) printing process: Type I- Reproducing, thin and thick marking cores (black); and Type II- Non-reproducing, marking core brown.

Salient characteristics:

Pencils shall be wood cased, except that the type I, thick marking core pencil may be spirally wrapped with paper. The paper wrap shall be scored at the intervals to facilitate removal to            expose the marking core as it is used and provided with a suitable means to begin the removal         process.

Wood shall be soft and straight grained and shall not split or splinter as it is sharpened.

Wood cased pencils shall be not less than 7 inches and paper cased pencils not less than 6-1/2   inches long.

Marking core diameters shall be 0.100 + 0.010 inch for type I- thin marking core and type II           pencils and not less than 0.150 inch for type I, thick marking core pencils.

Type I pencil shall be free of grit and shall produce smooth, uniform black markings which shall accept sufficient ink to produce clear, sharp, impressions free from tone, scum, of filling.            Markings shall be erasable from the paper plate so that printed copies are clear and distinct               with no smudging. The thick marking core shall be suitably soft to permit degrees of shading.

Type II pencils shall be free of grit and shall produce smooth, uniform markings. Markings shall have no affinity for offset duplicating inks and shall not reproduce, tone, or scum on lithographic   paper plates.

Certification.      The contractor shall certify that the product offered meets the salient characteristics of this commercial item description and that the product conforms to the producer’s own drawing, specifications, standards, and quality assurance practices and is the same product offered for sale in the commercial market. The Government reserves the right to require proof of such conformance prior to first delivery and thereafter as may be otherwise provided for under the provisions of the contract.

Recovered materials.     The manufacturer shall utilize recovered materials to the maximum extent practicable.

Packaging, packing and marking. One dozen pencils shall be packaged in accordance with normal commercial practice. The complete package shall be designed to protect the item against damage during shipment, handling, and storage. The packaged pencils shall be packed in fiberboard boxes to insure delivery at destination, to provide for redistribution by the initial receiving activity, and shall be acceptable by common carrier under National Motor Freight Classification and Uniform Freight Classification. Marking shall be in accordance with Fed-Std- No. 123.