Factors to Consider When Purchasing Label Printing Inks

[ppzhan abstract]:

Generally speaking, when selecting a label

the type of substrate, the printing method and printing conditions, the customer's special requirements, post-press processing techniques, the label's application and conditions of use, and cost should all be taken into comprehensive consideration.

1. When selecting label printing inks, the customer's requirements must also be fully considered. Sometimes a customer may require the label to have a certain special effect, such as an ice-flower effect, a frosted effect or an anti-counterfeiting effect; in this case, it may be necessary to consider, from the standpoint of the label

ink, how to meet the special requirements of the customer and the product.

1. Will the label undergo certain special processing procedures together with the product to which it is affixed? Are there any special requirements? This also has a certain influence on label selection. For example, in the processing flow of some products, the labels affixed to them may have to withstand high temperatures or come into contact with certain chemical reagents, which requires the label printing ink to have excellent high-temperature resistance and chemical resistance; otherwise, the label will become deformed or damaged.
2. The purpose and the environment of use of the label are also factors that cannot be ignored when selecting label printing inks. For example, labels used on daily chemical detergents usually require their printing inks to have good acid and alkali resistance and grease resistance. Another example: labels used outdoors have to withstand wind, sunlight and rain, so when selecting label printing inks, attention must be paid to the ink's performance in terms of light resistance, water resistance, high-temperature resistance, acid and alkali resistance, etc.
3. The cost factor. The goal of an enterprise is to pursue maximum profit, which inevitably involves the issue of cost. Generally speaking, UV label printing inks are the most expensive, followed by water-based label printing inks, while solvent-based label printing inks are the least expensive. Of course, the costs of transportation and storage must also be taken into account. The performance indicators of label printing inks mainly include hue, fineness, saturation, gloss, adhesion, viscosity and drying property, etc. These properties have a very important impact on the printing process and printing quality.
4. The type and properties of the substrate are among the important factors determining label printing inks. Different substrates require different inks. For example, paper labels can be printed with water-based inks, while film labels usually require solvent-based inks. In addition, it is worth noting that even for the same type of substrate, different varieties, grades or surface properties may also require different inks.
5. The printing method and printing conditions are also among the important factors affecting the selection of label printing inks. Inks for different printing methods generally cannot be used as substitutes for one another or mixed together; moreover, printing speed and the type and performance of the printing equipment also have a certain influence on the selection of label printing inks.
6. Stable ink viscosity is one of the prerequisites for ensuring consistent print quality. Ink viscosity that is too high or too low is unfavorable for printing; therefore, controlling ink viscosity is quite important. Generally speaking, during printing, as the water and solvent in the ink continuously evaporate, the ink viscosity gradually increases, so the ink viscosity should be measured frequently, records of viscosity changes should be kept, and timely adjustments should be made.
7. The drying property of the ink also has a major impact on the label

printing: if drying is too fast, it can easily cause the pattern to become lighter or even lead to plate drying-up; if drying is too slow, it can easily cause ink set-off or dirty prints. Generally speaking, the drying speed of the ink should be compatible with the printing speed, the drying capacity of the printing equipment and the area of the printed pattern.

1. For water-based label printing inks, pH control is quite important, and a range of 8–9 is generally appropriate. A change in the pH value of water-based ink will also cause a change in viscosity; therefore, during printing, an appropriate amount of pH stabilizer must be added to the ink at regular intervals.

— This article is reposted from China Packaging Network (pack.cn). Original link: http://news.pack.cn/show-362117.html