In the printing industry, UV curable inks have occupied a prominent position due to their unique curing mechanism and superior properties such as instant curing, zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emission, vivid colors, and exceptional abrasion and water resistance. However, with the heightened environmental awareness and tightening of regulations, concerns have arisen regarding certain components in conventional UV inks, such as acrylic monomers used as reactive diluents, which may exhibit varying degrees of irritancy. Consequently, water-based UV inks have emerged as a viable alternative, albeit facing technical hurdles that hinder their large-scale adoption.
What are the Characteristics of Water-based UV Inks?
Water-based UV inks integrate the benefits of UV curing technology with eco-friendly solvents like water and ethanol as diluents. They inherit the advantages of traditional UV inks, including rapid curing, vibrant colors, abrasion and water resistance, while eliminating harmful solvents, thereby achieving a harmonious blend of environmental friendliness and high efficiency.
Advantages of Water-based UV Inks
Environmental Friendliness: By utilizing water and ethanol as solvents, water-based UV inks emit minimal VOCs during production and application, significantly reducing environmental impact and adhering to modern environmental standards.
Safety: They mitigate concerns associated with potential irritants or toxins present in the reactive diluents of conventional UV inks, enhancing workplace safety.
Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of substrates, including paper, aluminum foil, and non-absorbent plastics, expanding their application scope.
Stable Performance: During curing, monomers polymerize into a stable ink film with excellent adhesion, abrasion, and water resistance.
Application Domains of Water-based UV Inks
As technology continues to mature, water-based UV inks have found widespread applications in various sectors:
Packaging Printing: Favored for premium products like cigarettes, alcohol, cosmetics, health supplements, food, and pharmaceuticals due to their eco-friendliness and eye-catching visuals.
Outdoor Advertising: Maintaining vibrant colors and resilience against harsh conditions, making them ideal for billboards, posters, and flyers.
Industrial Printing: Ensuring durability and clarity in printing labels for electronics, automotive components, and metal products.
While water-based UV inks, as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional UV inks, are gradually transforming the printing industry landscape with their remarkable performance and promising prospects, overcoming current challenges remains crucial. In this context, StarColor's solvent-free UV inks, which embody the environmental benefits of water-based inks while retaining the strengths of UV inks, offer a commendable option.