Flexographic ink
Flexography is a process used in the printing of packing materials (cardboard boxes, corrugated cardboard, paper bags and plastic bags, food packaging, newspapers, catalogues, etc ...) This method of printing continues to grow in popularity due to its low cost and environmentally friendly nature. The most important part of the printing process is the application of the ink.
Ink Types
There are three main types of ink: water based, solvent and UV curable. The printing surface (substrate type) dictates what ink type it is advisable to use.
History
Each type of ink has its advantages and disadvantages, therefore the type of ink used in printing is determined by factors such as price, speed and the use of the packaging (food, cleaning or shopping bags).
Originally it was called aniline printing, since in the early stages of flexography, aniline dye ink was used. Because of its toxicity, its use in food packaging was banned and it also involved complications due to frequent staining and the need for bleeding. Over time, changes and improvements were made, involving the substitution of aniline dye for polyamide resins which speed up the drying process and as such the overall printing process itself.
Solvent-based inks began to be used, which were safe for food packaging, but harmful to the environment. The Environmental Law of the 1980's, led to printers trying out water-based inks. Today, thanks to research and development, most printers are easily adapted to water-based inks, allowing printers to recycle ink for later use.
Data from references
George Sickinger[1], CEO of International Colour Resolutions, says that "over time, water-based inks have a much higher herbal resin content and will become the new standard for the formulation of water bases. "Sickinger also stated that the UV-curable inks require less energy and produce less waste, while the quality is higher.
The Environmental Protection Agency has worked with the flexographic industry in the design of a project to help flexographic businesses, promoting water-based inks for their low power consumption, and UV curable ink systems, because they use less ink.
Currently in EU, there are 2 institutions that provide companies with the “OK COMPOST” and “COMPOSTABLE” certification, VINÇOTTE[2] and DIN CERTCO, to the inks used in the print of bioplastics that fulfill the requeriments of biodegrading and compost ability. One of the first ink producers, in the beginning of the year 2000, to obtain this certification and commercialize these types of inks was Chimigraf[3]
References
- ^ "George Sickinger". entrepreneur.com. Retrieved 2008-04.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "VINÇOTTE" (PDF). vincotte.be.
- ^ "Chimigraf" (PDF). vincotte.be.
{{cite web}}: Text "Chimigraf" ignored (help)