The work aims to provide theoretical reference for the adhesion of ink on the substrate during the printing process by testing and analyzing the wettability of different inks on the substrate surface, thereby improving the accuracy and printing effect of gravure printing. Based on the surface wetting phenomenon, classical wetting model, volatilization drying, and permeation drying mechanism, the wetting behavior of ink on paper surfaces was explored, the changes in static and dynamic contact angles of different water-based inks on different paper surfaces were investigated and the shape of ink droplets on paper and the effect of ink viscosity and paper smoothness on the wetting effect of paper were analyzed. The increase in paper smoothness and ink viscosity promoted an increase in the static contact angle of ink on paper, as well as the time for the substrate to be completely wetted. The morphology of ink marks was affected by wettability. The smoothness of paper, the viscosity of ink, and the wettability of ink on paper are negatively correlated.