The influence of storage conditions on the ink detachment efficiency of water-based flexographic ink printed onto model cellulose surfaces and hand sheets were investigated. It was shown that UV-light, elevated temperatures, longer storage time, increasing surface roughness and increasing surface hydrophobicity all had a negative effect on ink detachment. It was also shown that the ink's chemical and structural characteristics changed when stored at elevated temperatures. No chemical or structural changes could be observed for the ink when stored under UV-light.