Are water-based inks Biodegradable?
First of all, it is more correct to speak of compostability (as stated in EN 13432) rather than biodegradability which is a generic concept. Commonly used Water-based flexographic inks made with over 50% water and inactive components, cannot be defined compostable since they contain a high percentage (around 30%) of organic substances derived from synthesis, characterized by a very slow biodegradability. For what has already been said, La Sorgente proposes the Hydromat-B (463 series) and Ecomat-B (163 series) products, respectively, water-based and solvent-based inks that allow printing on...
Read MoreThe print results “light”. What are the possible reasons?
The low tint strength of the ink can depend on many factors: non sufficient quantity of pigment and non sufficient transfer of the vehicle; low viscosity (excessive dilution) of the ink; worn-out anilox and/or with clogged cells and, however, with non sufficient unloading of ink; excessive hardness and/or incorrect pressure of the cliché; low thickness of ink; low wetness of the substrate to be printed. In each case, the information interchange between the ink supplier and the printer is essential in order to obtain the best results. Above all it is important to communicate to the ink...
Read MoreEven when using the same dilution, why does the same ink not have the same covering?
The viscosity of the ink strongly depends on the temperature at which it’s printed: in warmer seasons it is more fluid than in colder seasons and so the addition of the same quantity of diluents in both cases may cause different viscosities of the ink. Since the inking is directly proportional to the viscosity (in printing systems with rubber roller mainly) a different charge of ink with the same dilution, may occur. Even printing with constant viscosity is a good working method, although it’s not always decisive: during winter a high dilution (with resultant high reduction in pigmentation)...
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