It is estimated that the total global packaging market (including printing, materials, and processing) is approximately 395 billion U.S. dollars, and it grows at a rate of nearly 6-10% every year. The latest figures show the share of various printing processes in the packaging sector, of which offset printing accounts for 45%, flexographic printing accounts for 28%, gravure printing accounts for 20%, and other processes account for 7%.
Corrugated board printing is the main market for today's flexographic printing. In the field of carton printing, the flexographic printing process has also continued to grow, while other printing processes (such as offset or gravure) have decreased significantly.
Corrugated board printing accounts for 27% of global flexographic prints. Folding carton printing is also shifting from lithography to flexo printing. Although the carton flexographic printing market was just formed, the constant maturity of the flexographic printing technology has improved the printing quality and reduced the printing cost. Flexo began to challenge traditional printing methods.
Ink manufacturers must consider the basic elements
Today, cartons printed with a flexo process are comparable in quality to other printing methods, and with the global purchases of packers and brand owners, the prices of flexo cartons are also falling. Therefore, printers must first consider the following factors:
Ink technology: water-based ink or UV ink
Flexo printing machine: linear or satellite
· Ink transfer mode: pumping ink supply system, ink viscosity, chamber scraper ink supply system
·Anilox roller features: laser engraved ceramic anilox roller, the factory recommended anilox roller specifications, engraving angle
·Photopolymer version: thickness, installation, screening, dot gain, color version for color flexo printing
·Printing materials
So, what are the specific standards in the development of folding carton printing inks?
Due to the continuous development of flexographic technology, ink manufacturers must study creative solutions and propose innovative solutions to support the technical improvement of printers and processors. Printers are working to increase the speed of press conversion, reduce prepress preparation time, use inks that meet environmental requirements, increase press speed, and improve print quality. The product must meet the requirements of the printer and meet the user's expectations:
· Attractive patterns and attractive colors
· Worldwide color consistency
Meet the requirements of current regulations and standards
In order to meet the requirements of printers and cartons, ink manufacturers must study the following performance indicators and find the best compromise:
·Print quality
·Paperability
· Fast drying on the surface of the substrate
·Good fixation
·Scalability
·Abrasion resistance
Good rewetting ability
·luster
·Network expansion
· Minimum foaming
· Easy to clean
· Reasonable price
Water-based ink advantages
For water-based solutions for folding cartons, a new generation of water-based inks has emerged. Due to the high solid content of ink, water-based inks have many advantages:
· Reduced ink usage
· Reduced ink waste
· Reduced costs due to the treatment of ink waste
In most cases, these new water-based inks are manufactured without the use of any volatile organic compounds and are environmentally friendly inks. The use of UV-curable inks produces odors, while water-based inks are odorless. Therefore, the prospects for water-based flexo inks are very promising.