What is UV flexo printing?
UV flexo printing and solventless lamination in-line
By installing a solventless laminator in-line with a UV flexo printing press, the ink is effectively protected by a transparent film layer, which in most cases would be laminated off-line.
What type of ink is used in flexo printing?
water-based inks
Flexographic printing is done on paper, cardboard, or plastic film. Liquid inks with a low viscosity are used for printing. There are water-based inks, solvent, and ultraviolet (UV)-cured inks among them.
What is UV printing ink?
UV inks are specially formulated to cure when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light instead of oxidation (air). These unique inks dry much faster, resulting in sharper and more vibrant images than regular conventional inks.
How is UV ink made?
Modern UV-invisible ink is mainly made by a fluorescent derived from things in nature that glow when exposed to an ultraviolet light. The main components include dilute laundry detergent, body fluids, tonic water and vitamin B-12 dissolved in vinegar.
Is UV ink solvent ink?
The UV printing process is kinder to the environment. Because UV-cured inks are not solvent-based, there are no harmful substances to evaporate. Enjoy sharper, crisp and more vibrant results.
What is UV offset printing?
The UV Dry-Offset printing, also called waterless, is a process where the relief surface of the photopolymer transfers the ink on a blanket and subsequently the inked image on a substrate, such as the polypropylene containers.
How many types of flexo prints are there?
4 Common Types of Flexographic Inks
Composed of prepolymers, monomers, photoinitiators, and pigments.
What is water based flexo ink?
Water based flexo inks have considerably high surface tension, typically the highest of all inks, making them popular for printing on highly absorbent substrates of heavy weights, like corrugated packaging materials. They are compatible for use with every type of elastomer sleeve.
How long does UV printing last?
Typical UV cured prints have an outdoor durability of at least 2 years without fading, or up to 5 years or more without fading when laminated. However, the specific environment and application in which the print is used will ultimately determine whether the print will last for more or less than 2 years.
Where is UV ink used?
Conventional heat- and air-drying inks work by oxidation and evaporation of solvents. In UV curing inks there is no solvent to evaporate (1) (2) (3) . Traditionally, UV inks are used for printing on non-absorbent surfaces like plastics.
What is the base of UV ink?
The basic make-up of UV-curable inks consists of four components: monomers, oligomers, pigments, and photoinitiators.
Is UV ink waterproof?
UVC inks are also waterproof, meaning they are great for outdoor applications. The main disadvantages of UVC inks is that they are expensive, the curing module required for the printer is also expensive, and the print quality is not as good as conventional water-based and solvent inks.
Are UV inks water-based?
Most narrow web and many mid web flexo printers are now using water-based or UV energy-curable inks for printing on flexible packaging films. New hybrid water-based ink formulations are allowing higher than ever adhesive bond strengths with current lamination technologies.
Is UV printing permanent?
UV inks are abrasion and chemical resistant – Besides becoming instantly cure, UV is permanent film-like ink and cannot be washed away in the shower, or with alcohol.
What are the disadvantages of flexography?
However, flexography also has some disadvantages: Flexography is not a good printing solution for small orders. Although highly automated, the setup of a flexographic printing unit can be very time consuming.
Is flexographic ink toxic?
Food Packaging Applications of ebeam Flexo Ink
Are low odor. Have low extractables. There’s no risk of migration from the photoinitiation process because they are not used. The inks are non-toxic, nonflammable, explosionproof, and totally safe for food packaging applications.
What are oil-based inks?
Oil-based inks consist of a pigment or pigments of the required color mixed with oil. For example, black inks are made from carbon blacks and thick linseed oil. The main types of oil-based printing inks are vegetable oil-based printing inks and mineral oil-based printing inks.
Is UV printing expensive?
LED-UV inks tend to be more expensive than conventional inks, however, the cost of ink typically represents only 1% – 2% of the total cost of any print job. Plus, there are several factors that offset the additional cost.
Is UV print permanent?
What materials can you UV print on?
UV PRINTER APPLICATIONS
- Aluminum. Automotive. Awards/Plaques. Barware. Bottles.
- Ceramic. Cooler. Cosmetic/Hemp. Cups. Drinkware.
- Glass. Leather Printing. Medical Equipment. Packaging. Phone Cases.
- Plastic/Acrylic. Polypropylene. Promotional Products. PVC. Signage.
- Sporting Equipment. Stainless Steel. Texture. Tool Marking. Wood.
Are UV inks water based?
Is UV ink heat resistant?
UV inks can be formulated to be heat resistant. The printer can run products and forms for thermal printers. UV gloss coatings or UV Protective coatings can be applied in-line on web printing press in-line with ink units, and will cure instantly. UV inks have no VOC’s.
Are UV inks flammable?
They are non-flammable, with no special handling or storage requirements. Water-based inks are more stable on press than solvent-based inks. The volatile components evaporate slower, so water-based inks require less maintenance when running. Cleanup is easy with soap and water.
Is flexographic printing cheap?
Flexographic Printing
This is a low-cost printing method, and it has progressed much since 1970 after direct laser engraving was introduced.
What is the difference between flexo and offset printing?
Technically, offset printing can refer to any printing technique that uses a printing plate to transfer an image to an intermediate carrier and then onto the printed substrate. Whereas flexo transfers ink from the plate directly to the substrate.