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Date: Mar 17 2025 From: Star Color
Under the EU’s Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive, which aims to reduce single-use plastics by 50% by 2025 and increase plastic bottle recycling rates to 77%, demand for eco-friendly paper bags is set to surge
. Traditional solvent-based inks, containing high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pose environmental and food safety risks. Water-based inks, however, offer three core advantages:Zero-Pollution Certification
Water-based inks use water as a dispersion medium, free from benzene, ketones, and heavy metals. They comply with international certifications like SGS, FSC, and FDA, and meet the EU REACH regulation’s strict limits on 236 Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC)
Superior Print Adaptability
With low viscosity (typically 50–200 mPa·s), these inks perform exceptionally on materials like kraft paper, white cardboard, and coated paper. Tests show 90% color reproduction accuracy on kraft paper, matching solvent-based inks.
Cost Efficiency
Eliminating complex VOC treatment systems and reducing drying energy consumption by 30%, water-based inks cut overall costs by 15–20%. For a factory producing 5,000 tons of paper bags annually, this translates to ~300 tons of carbon reduction.
Adhesion Testing (Cross-Cut Method)
Use the GB/T 9286 standard: After cutting a 1×1mm grid into the printed surface, apply 3M600 tape firmly and peel it off vertically. High-quality inks exhibit **<5% peel-off area**. Note that adhesion performance may vary depending on paper treatment processes; material-specific testing is recommended.
Drying Speed
Optimal humidity (55–65%) and temperature (22±3°C) are critical. High-speed flexo presses achieve over 400 m/min. In high-humidity environments (>70%), infrared drying is recommended
Color Density & Lightfastness
Choose Pantone-certified inks with ΔE <1.5 after 300 hours of UV aging (QUV testing). Lightfastness should meet ISO 105-B02 Level 4 for outdoor durability
Supplier Qualifications
Prioritize ISO 14001 and ISO 9001-certified manufacturers, such as StarColor, which implements full-chain environmental controls
Precision Climate Control
Maintain workshop conditions at 22±3°C and 55–65% humidity to minimize paper warping (<0.3mm/m) and ink crusting
Standardized Equipment Cleaning
Clean anilox rollers daily with pH 8.5 alkaline solution, followed by neutral rinsing. Set doctor blade pressure to 2–3 bar to prevent residue
Proper Ink Storage
Store in light-proof containers at 10–25°C. Use opened ink within 6 months, and stir at ≤50 rpm for 30 minutes before use
As a pioneer in eco-friendly inks, StarColor delivers comprehensive solutions for paper bag printing:
Product Advantages
Certifications
Compliant with China Environmental Labeling, EU ROHS, REACH, US FDA, and Germany’s LFGB food-contact standards
Support Services
End-to-end technical support, including ink selection, process optimization, and 24/7 on-site assistance
As global regulations tighten and consumer demand for sustainability grows, water-based inks are becoming a cornerstone of competitive paper bag production. StarColor drives industry innovation toward low-carbon, high-efficiency, and safer practices, creating lasting value for clients.
