Miraclon white paper on overcoming unwanted ink spread

Tackling flexo’s fundamental issue improves on-press efficiency

207
New white paper from MIraclon on unwanted ink spread that its PureFlexo technology addresses Image Miraclon
New white paper from MIraclon on unwanted ink spread that its PureFlexo technology addresses Image Miraclon

Announced at the end of March 2022, a new white paper from Miraclon takes an in-depth look at how the company’s PureFlexo printing technology overcomes unwanted ink spread. It says unwanted ink spread has been a fundamental challenge for solvent-based flexible film printing for as long as flexo has been around.

Unwanted ink spread happens when ink spreads outside the (original raised) image areas of the print surface of the flexo plate, forming solids, halftones, lines, and or text (whether positive or negative) with worse feature definition and other common color management defects. Ironically, it has become more widespread as brands adopt flexo as a high-quality printing process capable of the most challenging work, with packaging designs commonly produced at 120 – 150 line screens.

PrintPack India ShowDaily

Until now, brands, printers and converters have lived with it as a stubborn by-product of the highly fluid inks, non-absorbent substrates, high compression forces, and high press speeds used in the process. The ‘dirty print’ it causes means presses have to run slower, and unscheduled stoppages to clean plates become more frequent — an average of six per press per day, according to Miraclon’s research — and press setup latitude is reduced.

PureFlexo Printing – How advanced multifunctional plate surface patterning controls unwanted ink spread explains the causes of ink spread, illustrates the symptoms, and how the corrective workarounds press operators commonly take — adjusting impression forces, using harder tapes, and lower-viscosity inks — only exchange the initial problem for others, such as ink starvation, pinholes, voids and loss of density.

It then analyses in detail how PureFlexo printing, the latest, most advanced iteration of Miraclon’s groundbreaking plate surface patterning technology, leverages advanced structures just a few microns in size to distribute the impression load, hold ink, and deliver it more precisely to the substrate surface.

Years of research and expertise in understanding ink transfer mechanisms have gone into the development of PureFlexo Printing,” says author of the paper, Dr John Anderson, director of Advanced Print Applications at Miraclon. “The result is a remarkably improved print latitude for flexible packaging and a critical tool to break the corrective action cycle. This innovation offers substantial cost savings through greater press uptime, with further cost savings and positive environmental impact through reduced material and energy waste. It also allows for increased scheduling effectiveness post-press in the lamination and conversion processes.”

Copies of the paper are available to download at https://www2.miraclon.com/unwanted-ink-spread.

The impact, resilience, and growth of responsible packaging in a wide region are daily chronicled by Packaging South Asia.

A multi-channel B2B publication and digital platform such as Packaging South Asia is always aware of the prospect of new beginnings and renewal. Its 16-year-old print monthly, based in New Delhi, India has demonstrated its commitment to progress and growth. The Indian and Asian packaging industries have shown resilience in the face of ongoing challenges over the past three years.

As we present our publishing plan for 2023, India’s real GDP growth for the financial year ending 31 March 2023 will reach 6.3%. Packaging industry growth has exceeded GDP growth even when allowing for inflation in the past three years.

The capacity for flexible film manufacturing in India increased by 33% over the past three years. With orders in place, we expect another 33% capacity addition from 2023 to 2025. Capacities in monocartons, corrugation, aseptic liquid packaging, and labels have grown similarly. The numbers are positive for most of the economies in the region – our platform increasingly reaches and influences these.

Even given the disruptions of supply chains, raw material prices, and the challenge of responsible and sustainable packaging, packaging in all its creative forms and purposes has significant headroom to grow in India and Asia. Our context and coverage engulf the entire packaging supply chain – from concept to shelf and further – to waste collection and recycling. We target brand owners, product managers, raw material suppliers, packaging designers and converters, and recyclers.

In an admittedly fragmented and textured terrain, this is the right time to plan your participation and marketing support communication – in our impactful and highly targeted business platform. Tell us what you need. Speak and write to our editorial and advertising teams! For advertisement ads1@ippgroup.in , for editorial info@ippgroup.in and for subscriptions subscription@ippgroup.in

– Naresh Khanna

Subscribe Now
unnamed 1

NEWSLETTER

Subscribe to our Newsletter

As 2023 begins and FY 23-24 unfolds, will you support us?

What lies in store for the packaging industry in India and South Asia this coming year? Inflation, disruption of supply chains or environmental regulation? Or the resumption of high rural demand, continued investment and industry consolidation? Whatever happens, Packaging South Asia will be there, providing clarity and independent technical and business information in India and South Asia and around the world. We are a compact Indian organization bringing a window of fair and rigorous technical and business information that the industry can access this year and beyond. Please support us with your advertising and subscriptions, to keep us going and growing.

Thank you.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here