Drying, Curing & UV
UV flexo – The package and label differentiator
Tom Kerchiss, chairman of RK Print Coat Instruments, says that now, probably more than ever, manufacturers, brand owners and suppliers need to re-evaluate the way in which their products are manufactured and the way in which they are packed and presented to the world
R
ising energy cost, inflationary pressure, recession, war, post viral malaise and other concerns are viewed by many associated with the manufacture and package industries as creating the ‘perfect storm’ conditions.
While it is undoubtedly true that we are all in for a difficult time there are many sectors that have continued to do well during the unsettled period surrounding the pandemic and will probably do so in times to come. For example, the proliferation of health, beauty and life enhancing products in recent years attests to the competition and vitality of these complimentary sectors. Labels and decorative packaging for these products are more complex than their informational loaded predecessors. The fact that on label, on pack the decorative content could include holograms, decorative foils, neck wrap around or incorporate a no label look is indicative of how progress has been made in label and pack presentation.
UV flexo sometimes in combination with other print and converting disciplines have become favoured processes. Flexo and/or UV flexo are frequently the core process. Screen printing must also be noted, an advantage being the ability to produce excellent opaque white, which can be important when producing labels for glass containers.
More often than not there is a darker liquid inside the glass or plastic container. If a clear label is applied, the colour would be inclined to take on a washed-out look. This is especially noticeable when white is applied and is not sufficiently opaque.
Flexo can produce a washed-out effect, but UV flexo is another matter; excellent results can be obtained when a run requires strong and very opaque colours. UV flexo can compete well with screen when high impact colour is a requirement. The high solids content of the inks makes the inks very effective for health, personal care and beauty products.
A UV flexo ink can provide high gloss, good scuff resistance as well as heat and resistance to many chemicals. These properties make UV flexo a good choice for labelling on glass and plastic containers, particularly for products that may be subject to scuffing and bumping during transportation and on the retail shelf. The ability to turn out a finished product inline and, if properly cured rewound without fear of later blocking is advantageous. Bear in mind that a UV ink or coating may seem cured at the surface, but might not be cured all of the way into the film. Obtaining the right degree of cure through to the base depth of the film is essential to achieve adhesion. Quality control, monitoring and R & D systems and equipment are useful.
Printing and curing with UV flexo inks make for a beautiful product. Understanding the release characteristics of the ink in relation to the anilox roll and other components is important. While a printer may obtain excellent results using a
60-degree hexagonal anilox roll with water-based inks, the inherently thicker nature of UV inks can cause chatter at the ink transfer point and problems such as an inconsistent ink film, etc. Obtaining colour consistency can be challenging at the best of times, but given the different chemistries and handling requirements of UV coupled with the short run nature of many jobs, the ability bring variables such as those associated with colour quickly under control is critical.
The FlexiProof UV incorporates a miniaturised UV system, enabling users to print and cure inline, replicating the conditions normally associated with a production press. Pinholes, blemishes and colour related variations become visible allowing for corrective measures to be taken. Printability issues such as gloss, durability, flexibility, rub resistance, chemical resistance can also be
determined.
www.rkprint.com
28
February 2023
www.convertermag.com
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