What is the difference between flexo and gravure ink?
Date: Jul 16 2024 From: Star Color
There are significant differences between flexographic and
gravure inks in various aspects, mainly reflected in ink viscosity, color saturation, suitable materials, printing speed, and environmental friendliness. The following is a specific analysis of these differences:
1、 Ink viscosity
Flexographic ink: Flexographic ink has a relatively low viscosity. This is because during the flexographic printing process, ink needs to be transferred to the surface of the rubber printing plate, which is relatively smooth and does not require excessive viscosity to ensure ink adhesion. Lower viscosity also helps to improve printing speed and reduce ink waste.
Gravure ink: The viscosity of gravure ink is higher than that of flexographic ink. This is because during gravure printing, the ink needs to fill the grooves and be transferred to the printing material under slight pressure. High viscosity can ensure the stability of the ink in the grooves, prevent loss or diffusion during the transfer process, and thus ensure the printing quality.
2、 Color saturation
Flexographic ink: The color saturation of flexographic ink is relatively low. This usually applies to printed materials that require soft and smooth color transitions, such as posters, brochures, etc. The color expression of flexographic ink tends to lean towards natural and soft tones.
Gravure ink: The color saturation of gravure ink is usually high. This is because gravure ink can better adhere to the printing material during the printing process, forming a more vivid and full color effect. The high color saturation of gravure ink makes it very suitable for printing printed materials that require vivid colors, such as high-quality packaging, trademarks, or books.
3、 Applicable materials
Flexographic ink: Flexographic ink is suitable for softer materials such as paper and plastic film. The environmental friendliness and good adhesion of flexographic ink make it an ideal choice for printing on these materials.
Gravure ink: gravure ink is suitable for harder printing materials,. These materials require a high-pressure filling process, and the high viscosity and good adhesion of gravure ink can meet this requirement.
4、 Printing speed
Flexographic ink: Flexographic ink has a relatively fast printing speed. This is because flexographic ink has lower viscosity and good fluidity, which allows for faster transfer to the printing material. In addition, flexographic printers usually have a high degree of automation and stable performance, which also helps to improve printing speed.
Gravure ink: The printing speed of gravure ink is relatively slow. This is because the gravure printing process requires filling grooves and pressure transmission, which is relatively complex and time-consuming. However, with the continuous advancement of technology, the speed of gravure printing is also gradually increasing.
5、 Environmental friendliness
Flexographic ink: Flexographic ink usually uses environmentally friendly inks such as water-based ink or UV ink. These inks have the characteristics of low VOC emissions, strong biodegradability, and are environmentally friendly. The environmental friendliness of flexographic ink makes it widely used in fields such as food packaging and pharmaceutical packaging.
Gravure printing ink: gravure printing ink also pays attention to environmental protection, and many gravure printing inks are made of environmentally friendly materials such as no heavy metals and no plasticizers. However, traditional gravure printing inks may contain high VOC emissions, which can have a certain impact on the environment. Therefore, when choosing gravure ink, attention should be paid to its environmental performance.
There are significant differences between flexographic and gravure inks in viscosity, color saturation, suitable materials, printing speed, and environmental friendliness.
Huizhou StarColor specializes in producing various
water-based inks for flexographic and gravure printing, which have high adhesion, environmental protection and safety characteristics. We welcome your consultation.
RU
EN
CN
