screen Printing Solutions on Corrugated Paper

Date: Oct 21 2024 From: Star Color

Corrugated paper, as a common packaging material, is widely used in the packaging of various products due to its lightweight, compressive strength, and ease of printing. Silkscreen printing, as a precise printing technique, can provide corrugated paper with rich patterns and textual information, enhancing the visual effect and brand recognition of products. However, silkscreen printing on corrugated paper often encounters technical challenges, such as poor ink adhesion and unsatisfactory printing results.

I. Characteristics of Corrugated Paper and Silkscreen Printing Difficulties

Corrugated paper is mainly composed of a linerboard, medium, and an inner liner, and its structure determines its uneven surface and uneven ink absorption. Therefore, during the silkscreen printing process, problems such as uneven ink adhesion and blurred printing patterns may occur. Additionally, factors such as the moisture content, surface tension of the corrugated paper, and the drying speed of the ink can also affect the printing effect.

II. Solutions

Selecting the Appropriate Ink

Corrugated paper has strong ink absorption, so inks with good adhesion and fast drying speeds should be chosen. Meanwhile, the viscosity and fluidity of the ink need to be adjusted according to the specific conditions of the corrugated paper to ensure that the ink can evenly adhere to the paper surface, forming a clear printed pattern.
Pretreatment of Corrugated Paper

Before silkscreen printing, corrugated paper can be pretreated, such as coating with a primer or surface grinding, to improve its surface smoothness and ink adhesion. The primer can be a water-based or oil-based primer compatible with the ink to ensure that the ink can firmly adhere to the paper surface.
Adjusting Printing Pressure

Due to the uneven surface of corrugated paper, the printing pressure needs to be adjusted appropriately to ensure that the ink can uniformly penetrate into the paper fibers, forming a clear printed pattern. Additionally, the adjustment of printing pressure also needs to consider the viscosity and fluidity of the ink to avoid ink overflow due to excessive pressure or blurred printing patterns due to insufficient pressure.
Optimizing Printing Processes

During the silkscreen printing process, the drying speed of the ink needs to be controlled to avoid blurred printing patterns due to rapid drying or adhesion due to slow drying. Furthermore, the printing speed needs to be controlled to ensure that the ink can fully penetrate into the paper fibers, forming a clear printed pattern. Meanwhile, stirring and replenishment of the ink during the printing process are also necessary to maintain the stability and uniformity of the ink.
Selecting Suitable Printing Equipment

Silkscreen printing on corrugated paper requires selecting printing equipment suitable for its characteristics. For example, silkscreen printing machines with automatic adjustment of printing pressure and speed can be chosen to accommodate different thicknesses and specifications of corrugated paper. Additionally, the precision and stability of the printing equipment also need to be considered to ensure the clarity and accuracy of the printed patterns.
Enhancing Quality Control

During the silkscreen printing process on corrugated paper, quality control needs to be strengthened, with real-time monitoring and adjustment of printing quality. For example, high-precision printing detection instruments can be used to detect the printed patterns, promptly identifying and correcting issues during printing. Meanwhile, strict quality control of raw materials such as ink and paper is also necessary to ensure the stability and reliability of printing quality.

III. Precautions

Avoiding Ink Accumulation

During the silkscreen printing process, it is necessary to avoid ink accumulation in the recessed areas of corrugated paper, which can lead to blurred printing patterns or uneven color. This can be avoided by adjusting the printing pressure and speed.
Controlling Ink Drying Speed

Due to the strong ink absorption of corrugated paper, the drying speed of the ink needs to be controlled to avoid blurred printing patterns due to rapid drying or adhesion due to slow drying. Drying agents or adjusting the temperature and humidity of the printing environment can be used to control the drying speed of the ink.
Protecting Printed Patterns

After silkscreen printing, the printed patterns need to be protected to avoid mechanical damage or chemical corrosion. Transparent protective coatings or films can be used to protect the printed patterns.

Conclusion

Silkscreen printing on corrugated paper is a technically challenging task, but by selecting appropriate inks, pretreating corrugated paper, adjusting printing pressure, optimizing printing processes, selecting suitable printing equipment, and enhancing quality control, the printing quality and efficiency can be significantly improved. Additionally, attention needs to be paid to avoiding ink accumulation, controlling ink drying speed, and protecting printed patterns to ensure the stability and reliability of the printing effect. We hope this article provides useful references and assistance to printing factories.