When it comes to choose the perfect ink for your work there is a scientific reason behind it as there are different variety of Flexo printing inks are available in the market with each ink crafted as per the varying substrates & carriers.
There are a few considerations that must go on to select any ink:
The most important one is the surface tension as inks naturally want to go ahead to the higher level of dyne and with proper surface tension configuration ink allows itself to get transferred to substrate by ensuring wet surface.
Other considerations can be:
- Final product usage
- Chemical compatibility
- Print speed needs
- Regulatory compliance
- Choice of substrate
With these considerations packaging industry uses the 4 types of Flexographic inks namely:
- Water based
- Ultraviolet & electron beam
- Solvent based
- Oil based
Water Based Flexography
Composed mainly of water & other pigments with an addition of assorted additives like agents & defoamers for drying & adhesion process, the water flexo printing solution is having the highest level of surface tension among all ink types. It is widely known for natural blends and used also in packaging ink.
SOLVENT BASED
Composed of alcohols, pigments and acetates, this is better used in plastic shopping bags and also for industrial films making.
ULTRAVIOLET (UV) & ELECTRON BEAM (EB)
UV & EB flexo printing solution has higher viscosity and composed of different prepolymers, monomers, pigments, and initiators. It gets dries & adheres when exposed to electron beam or UV light. In printing ink industry, it is most popular for outer wrapped food packaging.
OIL BASED
Composed of pigments & hydrocarbons or sometimes soy oil, the oil based flexo printing is very harsh and popular for printing needs of many publications.
Whether you are using flexographic printing in terms of volatile ink or energy curable ink, making a perfect selection of good substrate & suppliers is must.
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