How to choose flexographic water-based ink?

Date: Sep 25 2024 From: Star Color

Flexographic water-based ink refers to water-based ink specifically designed for flexographic printing, which has the advantages of environmental protection, safety, and low VOC emissions. As a printing manufacturer, how should we choose high-quality water-based ink?

Observe the performance characteristics of ink

1. Environmental friendliness:
O-Flexographic water-based ink uses water as a solvent, significantly reducing VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions and meeting modern environmental requirements. When selecting, the environmental certification of the ink should be confirmed, such as whether it has passed ISO 14001 environmental management system certification.

2. Drying speed:
Drying speed is a key factor affecting printing efficiency and finished product quality. Select ink with appropriate drying speed based on the speed of the printing machine and the characteristics of the substrate. A faster drying speed helps improve production efficiency, but also avoids printing problems caused by too fast drying.

3. Viscosity and flowability:
Viscosity is one of the important performance indicators of water-based ink, which determines the fluidity and transferability of the ink during the printing process. Appropriate viscosity helps ink transfer evenly and stably to the substrate. When selecting, a viscosity meter can be used to test the viscosity of the ink and adjust it according to actual needs.

4. Fineness and uniformity:
The fineness of ink directly affects the clarity and resolution of printed materials. Choosing ink with high fineness can ensure clear edges and rich details in printed materials. Measure the size of ink particles using a fineness meter to ensure their uniformity and stability during the printing process.

5. Friction resistance and wear resistance:
For printed materials that require a certain amount of friction, such as packaging materials, friction resistance and wear resistance are very important performance indicators. The friction resistance of ink can be improved by adding friction resistant additives and increasing the proportion of film forming resin lotion. When choosing, you can refer to the friction resistance test report provided by the ink supplier or conduct your own testing and evaluation.

6. Chemical stability:
O-Flexographic water-based ink should have good chemical stability, resistance to solvents such as alcohols and alkanes, and sun resistance. This helps ensure the stability of printed materials under different environmental conditions. When selecting, ink suppliers can be requested to provide relevant chemical stability test reports.
How to choose flexographic water-based ink?

How to choose flexographic water-based ink?

Check printing adaptability

1. Compatibility with the flexible version:
The compatibility between water-based ink and flexographic printing has a significant impact on printing quality. Choosing water-based ink that can match the current flexographic plate well can avoid problems such as plate blockage and improve printing quality. When choosing, you can consult ink suppliers or plate making companies for advice on the compatibility between ink and plate materials.

2. Printing speed adaptability:
Water based inks with different viscosities and drying speeds are suitable for different printing speeds. When selecting, it is necessary to choose the appropriate ink based on the performance of the printing machine and actual production needs. Attention should also be paid to whether the fluidity of the ink can meet the requirements of high-speed printing.

3. Substrate adaptability:
Different substrates have different requirements for ink. When choosing water-based ink, factors such as substrate material, surface characteristics, and post-processing methods need to be considered. For example, paper, plastic film, and other substrates have different requirements for ink adhesion, drying speed, and other properties, and suitable ink needs to be selected for printing.

Actual testing of ink

1. Printing test:
Before choosing water-based ink, it is best to conduct actual printing tests. Through testing, we can understand the printing effect of ink under different conditions and whether it meets production needs. During the testing process, attention should be paid to performance indicators such as ink drying speed, adhesion, and color stability.

2. Cost benefit analysis:
When choosing water-based ink, it is also necessary to consider its cost-effectiveness. In addition to the price of the ink itself, factors such as its usage efficiency, maintenance costs, and impact on printing equipment and the environment also need to be considered. By comprehensively evaluating these factors, products with high cost-effectiveness can be selected and production costs can be reduced.

In summary, the selection of flexographic water-based ink requires comprehensive consideration of multiple factors such as ink performance characteristics, printing suitability, suppliers and brands, as well as actual testing and evaluation. By comprehensively understanding and comparing the advantages and disadvantages of different products, one can choose the water-based ink that best suits their needs and achieve the expected printing effect.

The water-based ink produced by Zhongzhixing Color has bright colors, high color intensity, and good color stability. This is due to the use of advanced organic pigments and scientific formula design, which enables printed materials to maintain long-term brightness and consistency in color. Whether used in food packaging, paper printing, or other fields, we can ensure that the color effect of printed materials meets customer requirements. Welcome to your inquiry