Cigarette printing is the leader in the packaging and printing industry. From the 1980s to the 21st century, the development of domestic cigarette packs reflected a trend: coated paper → white cardboard → aluminum coated paperboard → aluminized paper soft packs, and Has been using the most advanced technology and printing solutions in the domestic printing industry.
The special absorption performance of the aluminized paper surface has always been a problem that plagues the industry peers. This article describes the printing solutions adopted by our company in the practice of aluminized paper packet printing for reference by industry peers.
First, ordinary ink sheetfed offset printing solution
Ordinary ink sheet-fed offset printing is a kind of aluminum-plated cardboard printing solution that was first implemented by our company. At the time, aluminum-plated cardboard was still a relatively rare printing material, and it was generally used only for producing higher-grade cigarette packets. Therefore, the printing volume was not large.
Process method: The aluminum coated paperboard is first made with white ink, and then other colored inks are printed (usually once for printing). It is worth noting that: the white ink can not be added dry oil drying with infrared light, use a small amount of powder; in the printing of other colors, you can use a small amount of desiccant, dry oil and quick drying agent, but must pay attention to appropriate; printing The speed is generally controlled below 5,000 sheets/hour, and every printed sheet of 300 to 500 sheets is separated by partitions.
Shortcomings
The color difference of printed products is larger, and the problems such as dirty backside, ink skin, and dusting particles are also more, and because the ink is dried too fast on the ink path and dried too slowly on the aluminized paper, the printability is difficult to grasp. The high rate of printing waste products and the labor intensity of the staff.
advantage
The requirements for printing equipment are not high, relatively low cost, and are suitable for printing products with a general quality requirement, a small area in large area, and a small printing batch.
Second, UV ink sheetfed offset solution
UV ink is a kind of green and environment-friendly ink that is cross-linked and cured by ultraviolet radiation. With the development of society, people's awareness of environmental protection has been continuously enhanced. UV inks have been widely used in high-end packaging and printing fields such as cigarette packs. In addition to its eco-friendly properties, the UV ink's unique curing method also makes it particularly suitable for printing aluminum-coated cardboard.
Process method: Generally one printing is completed, but the curing of the white ink is completed in the first printing group (the first color is assembled with a UV lamp, and the curing of other colored inks can be completed at the end together. Printing method and ordinary ink The printed white cardboard is basically the same.
Shortcomings
1UV inks are UV-cured, so the printing equipment must be equipped with UV lamps, and the ink channels must also use UV ink.
2UV ink prices are more expensive, several times that of ordinary ink.
3 The transparency of domestic UV inks needs to be improved.
4UV ink shelf life is not very long.
advantage
The special curing method of UV ink can greatly increase the printing speed, increase the production efficiency, reduce the chromatic aberration of printed products, and do not have to worry about the curing effect of the large-area solid ink layer, greatly improving the printing yield, suitable for printing larger batches, and real-time area Larger, more solid color blocks, relatively stable quality requirements of the printed product.
Third, web gravure solution
Comparing with offset printing, the printing principle of gravure printing is relatively simple, so the common faults are relatively few. This is also a unique advantage of gravure printing. Therefore, many domestic aluminized paper cigarette packets use gravure gravure printing solutions.
Process method: The gravure printing generally uses a solvent type ink, and the color printing is performed through a color monitoring system. The main technical parameter to be controlled in offset printing is ink-water balance, while gravure is transferred to the regulation of the doctor blade.
Shortcomings
1 The gravure printing generally uses solvent type ink, which is harmful to the operator's health. Although due to the development of the society, solvent-based inks are developing from benzene-soluble, alcohol-soluble inks to water-insoluble inks that are harmless to the human body, it may take some time before they can be widely used.
2 The gravure printing equipment is more expensive, the supporting facilities are more, and the plate making cost is also higher. The production cost of a set of roller is about 50,000 yuan.
3 Gravure Printing Due to the reasons for the production of the plate cylinder, there is a certain degree of difficulty for the reproduction of the small text, and it is difficult to reproduce large-scale dot-level changes (10% to 90%).
advantage
The color of the gravure printing product is very stable, the reject rate is low, and the waste products appearing are very concentrated, which greatly reduces the labor intensity of the inspection. The web speed of the imported web gravure printing machine can generally reach 150 meters per minute, and the efficiency is very high. It is suitable for printing large-scale order printing on a large area. In addition, web gravure gravure printing is very suitable for aluminized paper soft printing, which is also not replaceable by other printing methods.
Fourth, screen printing, offset printing solutions.
Since both screen printing and offset printing have their own merits, a printing solution combining screen printing and offset printing has been produced.
Process method: The combination of screen printing, frosted printing, ice printing, and offset printing and text printing are implemented on the same product.
Shortcomings
Due to the different printing methods, there are differences in the manufacturing process, technology, and operation methods of the two printing plates, which will lead to a decrease in the accuracy of printing registration.
advantage
Can make the best effect of various printing methods in the same product to get the most perfect reproduction, suitable for the performance of the finest cigarette packs, gorgeous texture and delicate level changes.
