Inkjet printing  using flatbed printer is one of the biggest challenges as more substrates are in the mix. A colour print may look good, but failure occurs without good adhesion to substrate, resulting in early failure in life of finished product.

Most inks used in this process are pigment based to ensure good lightfastness is achieved, The UV reactive polymer is designed for hardness, and  good adhesion on more commonly printed materials with some polar nature to their surfaces.

With new colour inks combined with white and clear inks, The finish and appearance of print is beyond reproach with texture, matt and gloss highlighting becoming more dominant.

In case of interest UV cured printing inks bond well to most organic surfaces

In case of polyolefins such as polyethylene or polypropylene these are surface treated at time of manufacture to accept inks and ensure good adhesion.

Ink adhesion on polymers such as Polyester, Acrylic, Styrene, ABS, and similar polar natured plastics is good.

Printing on Inorganic surfaces are near impossible with UV cured inks.

We have been using Silane-epoxy in isopropyl alcohol. When wiped onto surface and wiped dry, this aims to leave a monomolecular layer of silane bonded to the surface rendering the new surface with a polar epoxy finish which will bond well to most inks. The Silane naturally reacts and bonds with glass, and similar surfaces.

Materials such as Glass, Stainless Steel, Ceramics, and some stone surfaces can then be printed with a reliable bond to give good life to colour printing.

In each situation some testing is recommended to ensure a good result is obtained.

If you have any questions or require assistance with your printing difficulties let us know. Either here in our blog, or on our contact us Form.