Materials Formulation Requirements for WB Folding Carton Inks
Common Additives Used in Water Based Folding Carton Inks
Common Additives Used in Water Based Folding Carton Inks
Selecting Waxes for Water Based Folding Carton Inks
The main purpose for including waxes in these formulations is to improve rub resistance. The table below will familiarize you with the different performance characteristics of waxes used with water based folding carton inks.
Generally the larger the particle size - the greater the rub resistance, but also the greater the effect on gloss, so in general you want to formulate with the smallest particle size that gives an acceptable level of rub resistance.
Paraffin waxes are used almost exclusively for imparting
water resistance and shouldn’t be used unless this is a requirement.
Selection Defoamers for Water Based Folding Carton Inks
Defoamers can be categorized into silicone based defoamers and non-silicone based defoamers (e.g. mineral oil based defoamers). In general, silicone based defoamers are the most effective for eliminating foam, but they are generally restricted to being used in the pigment grinding stages of ink manufacture because they require a lot of sheer to ensure that they are fully dispersed within the ink system.
Raw Material |
Defoaming |
Miscibility |
Effect on gloss |
Things to be alert for |
Silicone based |
⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤
Excellent
|
⬤⬤
Poor
Needs high sheer |
⬤⬤⬤
Moderate |
Can cause surface defects in
printed film if not well
dispersed (fisheyes)
|
Mineral Oil based |
⬤⬤⬤⬤
Good |
⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤
Excellent |
⬤⬤⬤⬤
Little effect |
Can become solubilized over
time leading to loss of
effectiveness
|
Select Pigments for Water Based Folding Carton Inks
Raw Material |
Color Strength |
Transparency |
Gloss/Brilliance |
Heat Resistance |
Stability |
Organic Pigments |
⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤
Excellent |
⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤
Excellent |
⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤
Excellent |
⬤⬤⬤
Moderate |
⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤
Excellent |
Inorganic Pigments |
⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤
Excellent |
⬤⬤⬤
Moderate |
⬤⬤⬤⬤◐
Very Good |
⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤
Excellent |
⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤
Excellent |
Metallic Pigments |
⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤
Excellent |
⬤
Poor |
⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤
Excellent |
⬤⬤⬤⬤◐
Very Good |
⬤⬤⬤⬤◐
Must be passivated for water based inks |
Select Surfactants for Water Based Folding Carton Inks
Surfactants are used to improve substrate wetting and for pigment wetting during the pigment grinding stage. The type of chemistry to use is often dictated by local availability and price. One should also consider that the more surfactant you use, the more the ink tends to form foam. Many surfactants have the effect of stabilizing foam, so it’s important to select the right surfactant for your system.
Role of Resins in Water Based Folding Carton Inks
Role of Resins in Water Based Folding Carton Inks
These are the backbone of the formulation and are used for establishing the key properties of adhesion, heat resistance and gloss.
» Find All Suitable Resin Grades for Inks
Raw Material |
Pigment wetting |
Adhesion |
Water resistance |
Heat Resistance |
Gloss |
Acrylic resin |
⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤
Excellent pigment wetting in dispersions |
⬤⬤⬤
Minor contributor to adhesion |
⬤⬤⬤
Moderate |
⬤⬤⬤
Moderate |
⬤⬤⬤
Moderate |
Polyurethane resin |
⬤⬤
Unsuitable |
⬤⬤⬤⬤◐
Good adhesion, but can be more expensive |
⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤
Excellent |
⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤
Excellent |
⬤⬤⬤⬤◐
Can impart very good gloss based on compatibility with other components |
Styrene Acrylic emulsions |
⬤⬤
Unsuitable |
⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤
Good adhesion |
⬤⬤⬤⬤
Good, but requires careful selection |
⬤⬤⬤⬤◐
Very good |
⬤⬤⬤⬤◐
Can impart very good gloss based on compatibility with other components |
Formulations - Folding Carton Gravure Ink
Applicable segments: Beverage cartons, Cigarette cartons, food packaging
Additives, Pigments and Polymers for Water-based Inks
View a wide range of raw materials available today used for formulating water-based inks, analyze technical data of each product, get technical assistance or request samples.