When printing paper plates using water-based inks, attention should be paid to the following points to ensure stable printing results, excellent quality, and to avoid common issues:
Paper Material Selection
Absorbency: Paper plates are generally made of cardboard, but different types of cardboard have varying absorbency. Choose paper with moderate absorbency to better match water-based inks.
Surface Smoothness: The surface of the paper plate should be as smooth as possible to ensure even ink adhesion. Excessively rough paper surfaces may cause ink spreading, resulting in blurred printed patterns.
Coated vs. Uncoated Paper: Coated paper enhances ink adhesion and color vibrancy, while uncoated paper is more suitable for environmental requirements but demands higher printing standards.Ink Selection
Drying Speed: Water-based inks require a moderate drying speed to prevent ink bleeding during the printing process, but also to ensure they do not dry too quickly and clog printing equipment.
Adhesion: Ensure that the ink has sufficient adhesion to the paper plate, especially if the plate needs to be folded or undergo other secondary processing to prevent pattern peeling.
Environmental Requirements: Choose water-based inks that meet environmental standards, avoiding components containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to ensure safety and environmental protection.Printing Equipment Adjustment
Viscosity Control: The viscosity of water-based inks directly affects the printing results. It is recommended to test and adjust the viscosity before use. Generally, too low viscosity can lead to unclear printing, while too high viscosity may cause ink clogging.
Anilox Roll: Select an appropriate anilox roll to ensure even ink transfer. Higher line-count anilox rolls are typically recommended to reduce striping on the printed surface.
Doctor Blade Pressure: Adjust the doctor blade pressure to avoid scratching the paper plate surface due to excessive pressure while ensuring clean ink scraping.Printing Environment Control
Temperature and Humidity: Water-based inks are sensitive to temperature and humidity. It is recommended to maintain workshop temperatures between 20-25°C and humidity between 50-60% to prevent uneven ink drying or reduced adhesion due to environmental changes.
Ventilation: Maintaining good ventilation helps accelerate ink drying and reduces printing quality instability caused by water evaporation.Drying Process
Drying Equipment: Equip with appropriate drying equipment (such as hot air dryers or infrared dryers) to speed up ink drying and prevent ink sticking or staining.
Drying Time Control: Control the drying time to ensure complete ink curing on the paper plate, without affecting subsequent processes like die-cutting and folding.Post-Printing Treatment
Lamination or Coating: To improve the waterproof and oil-resistant properties of paper plates, lamination or coating treatments can be added after printing, but ensure these processes do not compromise the environmental performance of water-based inks.
Storage Conditions: Store printed paper plates in a dry, well-ventilated environment to avoid moisture or high temperatures that could degrade the ink.
By following these practices, the effectiveness of water-based inks in paper plate printing can be significantly enhanced, ensuring product aesthetics and environmental characteristics. I hope these suggestions are helpful to you in practical operations!