Effect of ink and paperboard characteristics on flexographic print quality based on print density

Abstract

Flexography is an evolving printing technology that is suitable for printing on coated and uncoated paperboard and board, nonporous substrates including metalized and paperboard foils, and plastic films used especially in the packaging industry. This study evaluated the effect of paperboard and ink characteristics on flexographic print density in paperboard. Three commercial paperboards from different companies were prepared: brown kraft from Thailand, white kraft from Spain, and test liner from Iran. Four samples of process print inks from Iran were used in this investigation. Paperboard properties, such as roughness and water absorption, and ink characteristics, including solids content, PH and particle diameter, were measured. The inks were printed on paperboards using a roll no.15 applicator with a blade metering device, and the print densities were measured. Results showed that solids content, pH, and particle diameter of printing inks influenced print density, while the roughness and water absorption of the three types of paperboard had no significant influence on print density. Results also illustrated that two levels of ink viscosity (25–30 and 50–55 mPa·s) were insignificant to print density.