Inks That Shrink
Whether UV, water, or solvent-based, inks are shrinking to the occasion.
August 2006 by Tom Polischuk
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With the use of shrink-sleeve labeling for product decoration growing at a double-digit rate, suppliers of shrink film inks are developing a steady stream of products to carve out a piece of the action. But in addition to the normal adhesion issues that are common with non-porous film applications, shrink inks have several other factors to contend with that make their development more challenging. Some of these issues include distortion (cracking, delamination, etc.), blocking, coefficient of friction (COF), and in food and beverage applications, low odor.
Demanding applications
Shrink labeling is growing in popularity because it offers brand managers at least two advantages. It provides full use of the container for graphics and messages, and the container itself can be formed into unique shapes that enhance shelf appeal. These shapes, however, add to the technical demands on the inks and substrates.
For substrates, PVC, PETG, and OPS make up the majority of shrink films, with PVC and PETG accounting for 90 to 95 percent of the market, says Manuel Rivas, director of technology, PPL Division of Siegwerk. Because each of these films exhibits different surface properties, Rivas notes that traditionally, “each of these films requires the use of specific ink chemistry for appropriate performance.”
To meet the varying requirements, Siegwerk provides solvent inks that are specifically designed for each of the film substrates and printing processes. In addition, flexo printers using water-based inks can use its CWS-2100 series inks on corona-treated PVC and PETG films, and the SICURA line is available for UV applications. Also, in an effort to simplify ink inventory concerns, the company offers a solvent-based ink system, called Access Sleeve, that works on all films.
INX International Ink has developed its ShrinkPac line for use with multiple substrates using either gravure (ShrinkPac) or flexo (Flexo ShrinkPac) printing processes. “While this simplifies and expedites job-to-job turnaround, our ink formulations also solve problems encountered daily by many shrink-label printers,” says Luigi DeFlaviis Jr., director of national accounts for the Liquid Ink Division of INX.
Although ink suppliers can offer an array of products that are designed for each particular substrate, there is a definite trend towards ink systems that can handle multiple shrink-film substrates. “Traditionally, many inks have been substrate specific, but newer ink series offer more versatility on a variety of films,” reports John Kalkowski, North American marketing manager for Sun Chemical. “This helps reduce press wash-ups, cross contamination, and helps to control ink usage.”
Demanding applications
Shrink labeling is growing in popularity because it offers brand managers at least two advantages. It provides full use of the container for graphics and messages, and the container itself can be formed into unique shapes that enhance shelf appeal. These shapes, however, add to the technical demands on the inks and substrates.
For substrates, PVC, PETG, and OPS make up the majority of shrink films, with PVC and PETG accounting for 90 to 95 percent of the market, says Manuel Rivas, director of technology, PPL Division of Siegwerk. Because each of these films exhibits different surface properties, Rivas notes that traditionally, “each of these films requires the use of specific ink chemistry for appropriate performance.”
To meet the varying requirements, Siegwerk provides solvent inks that are specifically designed for each of the film substrates and printing processes. In addition, flexo printers using water-based inks can use its CWS-2100 series inks on corona-treated PVC and PETG films, and the SICURA line is available for UV applications. Also, in an effort to simplify ink inventory concerns, the company offers a solvent-based ink system, called Access Sleeve, that works on all films.
INX International Ink has developed its ShrinkPac line for use with multiple substrates using either gravure (ShrinkPac) or flexo (Flexo ShrinkPac) printing processes. “While this simplifies and expedites job-to-job turnaround, our ink formulations also solve problems encountered daily by many shrink-label printers,” says Luigi DeFlaviis Jr., director of national accounts for the Liquid Ink Division of INX.
Although ink suppliers can offer an array of products that are designed for each particular substrate, there is a definite trend towards ink systems that can handle multiple shrink-film substrates. “Traditionally, many inks have been substrate specific, but newer ink series offer more versatility on a variety of films,” reports John Kalkowski, North American marketing manager for Sun Chemical. “This helps reduce press wash-ups, cross contamination, and helps to control ink usage.”
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