The Difference Between Offset Ink and Flexographic Ink
Date: Jun 24 2024 From: Star Color
Offset Ink:
Offset ink is a type of ink used in offset printing. Offset printing is an indirect printing method where the image on the printing plate is transferred to a blanket cylinder and then onto the substrate. Offset ink needs to possess good adhesion, fast drying, and adaptability to meet the requirements of high-speed and high-quality printing.
Flexographic Ink:
Flexographic ink is a type of ink used in flexographic printing. Flexographic printing is a direct printing method where the image on the flexible printing plate is transferred directly onto the substrate. Flexographic ink requires good fluidity, fast drying, and environmental adaptability to meet the specific requirements of flexographic printing.
Here is a comparison of the two:
- Printing Method
- Offset Ink: Used in offset printing. Offset printing is an indirect printing method where the image on the plate is first transferred to a blanket cylinder and then onto the substrate.
- Flexographic Ink: Used in flexographic printing. Flexographic printing is a direct printing method where the image on the plate is transferred directly onto the substrate.
- Ink Composition
- Offset Ink: Typically oil-based, composed of pigments, vehicles (such as resins), solvents, and additives. The vehicles in offset ink are often petroleum-based resins, and the solvents are usually oil-based.
- Flexographic Ink: Typically water-based, composed of pigments, vehicles (such as resins), solvents, and additives. The vehicles in flexographic ink are often water-based or alcohol-based resins, and the solvent is usually water.
- Drying Method
- Offset Ink: Dries through oxidation and penetration. The solvents in the ink evaporate quickly after printing, and the resins react with oxygen in the air to form a hard film.
- Flexographic Ink: Dries through evaporation. The water-based or alcohol-based solvents evaporate quickly after printing, allowing the pigments and resins to solidify on the surface of the substrate.
- Application Fields
- Offset Ink: Primarily used for high-quality graphic printing, such as books, magazines, posters, and high-end packaging. Suitable for large-volume, high-precision printing needs.
- Flexographic Ink: Primarily used for packaging printing, such as flexible packaging, cartons, labels, paper cups, etc. Suitable for large-volume, diverse printing needs, especially widely used in food and pharmaceutical packaging.
- Environmental Performance
- Offset Ink: Traditional offset inks are often oil-based and contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can cause some environmental pollution. Currently, eco-friendly offset inks are being gradually promoted, such as soy-based and vegetable oil-based inks.
- Flexographic Ink: Mostly water-based, containing no heavy metals, low VOC content, and odor-free, making it more environmentally friendly. It conforms to the current trend of green printing.
- Printing Cost
- Offset Ink: Due to the need for plate making and blanket cylinders in offset printing, the initial preparation work is more complex. It is suitable for large-volume printing with lower unit cost. However, the cost is higher for small-volume printing.
- Flexographic Ink: The cost of plate making for flexographic printing is lower, suitable for medium and small-volume printing needs with lower unit cost. It has high flexibility in adapting to different substrates.
- Printing Quality
- Offset Ink: Capable of achieving high-precision, high-quality image printing, suitable for delicate graphic representations. It has high color saturation and strong printing hierarchy.
- Flexographic Ink: The printing precision is slightly lower than offset printing, but it performs well in packaging printing. It is suitable for large-area color blocks and pattern printing, with vivid and stable colors.
Offset ink and flexographic ink differ significantly in printing methods, ink composition, drying methods, application fields, environmental performance, printing costs, and printing quality. Offset ink is more suitable for high-quality, large-volume graphic printing, while flexographic ink has a wide application in packaging printing with good environmental performance and cost-effectiveness. With the continuous development of printing technology, both inks continue to innovate in their respective fields to meet the diverse needs of the market.
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