solution for gravure printing on food packaging

Date: Sep 30 2024 From: Star Color

Food packaging is not only a key barrier to protect food from external pollution and damage, but also an important component of brand recognition, information transmission, and consumer experience. As a high-precision and highly adaptable printing technology, gravure printing plays a crucial role in the field of food packaging. Its excellent image reproduction ability and wide material compatibility make gravure printing the preferred packaging printing method for many food manufacturers.

The current application status of gravure printing in food packaging

The gravure printing technology is based on storing ink in the concave parts of the gravure cylinder, scraping off excess ink on the surface of the cylinder with a scraper, leaving only the ink in the graphic part, and then transferring it to the substrate under pressure. This technological feature determines that gravure printing can achieve fine lines, rich color layers, and high-definition images, which is very suitable for labels, packaging films, etc. that require extremely high visual effects in food packaging.

For example, on chocolate packaging, gravure printing can perfectly present complex patterns and brand logos, enhancing the attractiveness of the product; On the milk carton, it ensures clear and readable barcode and expiration date information for easy tracking and management.

The main problems faced by gravure printing in food packaging

Environmental factors: Small changes in temperature and humidity in the printing workshop can directly affect the drying speed and adhesion of ink, thereby affecting the overall quality of printed materials. In addition, dust and particles in the air may also adhere to the surface of the ink, causing printing defects.

Ink adhesion problem: There are various food packaging materials, including paper, plastic film, aluminum foil, etc., and different materials have different adsorption abilities for ink. If the ink formula is improper or the substrate pretreatment is insufficient, it is easy for the ink to peel off, affecting the durability and aesthetics of the packaging.

Overprint error: When printing multiple colors, precise alignment between each color is crucial. Insufficient equipment accuracy, improper operation, or improper control of substrate tension can all cause offset printing and affect the overall visual effect.
solution for gravure printing on food packaging

solution for gravure printing on food packaging

Optimization strategy of gravure printing in food packaging

Improving printing technology: Introducing advanced gravure printing machines and automated control systems to enhance printing accuracy and speed. Adjust the ink formula and printing parameters for packaging materials of different materials to ensure the best printing effect.

Strengthen environmental control: Install temperature and humidity monitoring systems to maintain a stable environment in the printing workshop. Strengthen workshop cleaning management to reduce the impact of dust and particles on printing quality.

Improve ink adhesion performance: Develop environmentally friendly and high adhesion ink formulas to adapt to a wider range of packaging materials. Pre treat the substrate, such as corona treatment or coating with primer, to improve its ability to adsorb ink.

Optimize the printing process: Regularly maintain and calibrate the printing equipment to ensure accuracy and stability. Strengthen employee training, improve operational skills and quality awareness, and reduce printing errors caused by human factors. At the same time, an advanced overlay detection system is adopted to monitor and adjust the overlay position in real time, ensuring precise alignment.

As an important printing technology in the field of food packaging, the implementation of optimized solutions for gravure printing is crucial for improving packaging quality and safety. By improving printing technology, enhancing environmental control, improving ink adhesion performance, and optimizing the overlay process, gravure printing can better meet the demand for high quality, efficiency, and safety in food packaging.

The food grade water-based ink produced by Zhongzhixing Color has been widely used in the food packaging industry. It can be printed on food packaging materials such as plastic bags, paper boxes, metal cans, etc., enhancing the beauty and attractiveness of the packaging.

Zhongzhixing Color also provides customized services, which can produce inks of different colors and properties according to customer needs to meet the printing needs of different fields and products. Whether it's printing needs in food packaging, pharmaceutical packaging, or other fields, Zhongzhixing Color can provide high-quality solutions.