Flexographic printing, often referred to as flexo, emerges as a pivotal player in environmental conservation efforts. This method proves cost-effective and champions sustainability, presenting several key advantages that underscore your business’s dedication to eco-friendly practices.
Efficient Ink Utilization:
Flexographic printing excels in ink management, utilizing a thin layer that minimizes waste, in stark contrast to traditional printing processes. This judicious use of ink translates to reduced landfill waste, mitigating the risk of soil contamination and safeguarding local ecosystems.
Environmentally Safe Water-Based Inks:
A hallmark of flexographic printing lies in its compatibility with water-based inks, a greener alternative to solvent-based counterparts. These inks emit fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs), curbing air pollution and fostering healthier indoor air quality for your workforce. Moreover, their eco-friendly disposition extends to easier disposal methods, further bolstering environmental preservation.
Swift Drying with UV Inks:
Innovative UV (and LED UV) inks offer another sustainable avenue in flexographic printing. These inks swiftly cure under ultraviolet light, eliminating the need for prolonged drying periods. Apart from enhancing productivity, UV inks curtail downtime and ink wastage. Additionally, UV curing systems boast higher energy efficiency, contributing to reduced electricity consumption and carbon emissions.
Diminished Energy Usage:
Flexographic printing strides forward with the adoption of advanced technologies like LED UV curing systems, which demand substantially less energy compared to traditional methods. This decreased energy consumption not only trims operational expenses but also shrinks your company’s environmental impact, lessening reliance on fossil fuel-generated electricity.
Waste Minimization:
Integrating cutting-edge inks and drying systems into flexographic print production bestows precise control over ink deposition and color management. This heightened control slashes waste by minimizing errors and misprints. Consequently, material and resource savings accrue, rendering your printing operations both cost-effective and sustainable.
Insights into types of inks and their optimal applications:
Water-Based Inks:
1.Primarily comprised of water and pigment, with additional additives such as defoamers for improved drying and adhesion.
2.Typically possess the highest surface tension among ink varieties.
3.It is well-suited for elastomers, particularly natural blends.
4.Widely utilized in the corrugated packaging sector.
Solvent-Based Inks:
1.Mainly composed of alcohols, acetates, and pigments, with alcohol predominating at 80-90% and acetates at 10-20%.
2.Generally exhibit lower surface tensions compared to water-based counterparts.
3.Recommended for EPDM elastomers.
4.Commonly employed in the production of plastic shopping bags and industrial films.
Ultraviolet (UV) and Electron Beam (EB) Inks:
1.Consists of prepolymers, monomers, photoinitiators, and pigments.
2.Cure and adhere upon exposure to UV light or electron beam.
3.Typically higher in viscosity.
4.EPDM elastomers are often suggested due to their ozone resistance.
5.Found extensively in outer-wrap food packaging applications.
Oil-Based Inks:
1.Comprised of hydrocarbons, pigments, and occasionally soy oil.
2.Solvents used can be harsh, including naphtha and hexane, with mineral oil occasionally added.
3.Buna/nitrile elastomers are recommended.
4.Popularly utilized in the publication printing sector.
Flexographic inks are categorized into two main types: volatile and energy-curable.
Volatile inks contain liquid solvents like water or alcohol, which evaporate, leaving the image on the substrate.
Energy-curable inks undergo drying through intermolecular bonding, resulting in the solidification of the ink on the substrate.
If you are looking for an opportunity to use Flexographic Ink printing, do let us know. We could be of help to support your business plans.
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