Knowledge Center

Why doesn’t ink bind to paper, cardboard, film, aluminum foil or other substrate?

Troubleshooting for adhesion problems in flexographic printing	Possible causes	Possible solutions
1. You might be using ink with inadequate chemistry or formula.	1. Make sure the ink you are using is right for the substrate. Adjust as needed to find the right match.
2. Surface is not receptive to ink.	2. Treat / activate the substrate or use coating primer / varnish if possible. Consider changing ink chemistry or formula.
3. There is not enough binder. Ink has become too thin.	3. Add fresh ink and / or resin binder or shellac. Bring ink viscosity to optimal and stable level.
4. Contamination of substrate surface.	4. Check the rest of the substrate stock. Inform the supplier. Consider wash coating before next printing run.
5. Problems with the drying process. Temperature or air volumes are too low in the dryers.	5. Consider increasing drying temperature. Turn up air volume or air velocity in the dryers.
6. Ink viscosity is too high.	6. Reduce ink viscosity to suit your needs.

Why do I get ink transfer or bleed of one color into another? Why do I get ink smears?

Troubleshooting for ink smearing / bleed in flexographic printing	Possible causes	Possible solutions
1. First layer of ink is not yet dry.	1. Consider increasing drying speed by: reducing ink viscosity, reducing ink thickness, using faster drying solvent, modifying air volume, air velocity and temperature
2. Second layer of ink, top varnish or adhesive chemistry causes first layer of ink to dissolve.	2. Reduce aggressiveness of the second layer material. Make first layer material more resistant.
3. Foreign object interfering with wet ink.	3. Go over the substrate and remove object.

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