Matching of UV Offset Printing Inks in Printing Process

UV offset printing inks, as the imaging medium in printing, play an indispensable role in determining the tonality, color saturation, and clarity of printed images. With advancements in printing technology, substrate materials, and related standards, inks must adapt to various substrates and printing processes, leading to heightened technical requirements for inks. This has given rise to numerous ink formulations, each with unique characteristics and specific applications, emphasizing tailored solutions and specialization. When selecting inks, printing enterprises must not only meet their own printing process and quality demands but also adhere to national VOC emission standards and environmental protection regulations, thereby saving costs and avoiding regulatory complications.

In diverse industries such as tobacco, alcohol, cosmetics, electronics, food, and pharmaceutical packaging, the application of UV offset inks is widespread, necessitating adherence to industry-specific environmental norms. For instance, in the electronics industry, compliance with the IEC 61249-2-21:2003 halogen-free standard is mandatory to prevent halogen-induced electrical performance degradation and the formation of environmentally hazardous dioxins.

Differing printing substrates, including paper, films, textiles, metals, and ceramics, exhibit variable surface tensions due to their material composition and surface treatments, affecting ink adhesion. Beyond adhesion, the chemical compatibility between ink and substrate must be considered to avert phenomena like under-biting or ink discoloration from leached chemicals and ink re-adhesion.

Post-printing processes like die-cutting and hot stamping impose specific requirements on ink properties, necessitating the use of flexible inks with suitable surface tension to prevent color dispersion during processing or failure in these finishing techniques.

Furthermore, according to product applications—like cards or cosmetic packaging—the ink must fulfill certain performance criteria, such as high abrasion resistance, vibrant colors that resist fading, and excellent lightfastness, ensuring products maintain an attractive appearance over time and appeal to consumers.