100th Unit The First 100 single-pass DTO systems are shipped. Six lessons from the first 100 — and what they mean for the next 100. Read the lessons →
Perspectives

Ink Adhesion, Part 1 — General Education

Adhesion is ink that sticks to a known specification. An ink that bonds to one PP product may not bond to another. Where the work begins.

Ink adhesion refers to ink that adheres to products according to specifications. Our Technical Service team frequently helps customers identify appropriate inks for their substrates.

The substrate variation problem

Ink adhesion is ink that sticks to any given product to a known specification. Different substrate variations require matched ink series, as an ink that may exhibit flawless adhesion to one PP product may not adhere at all to another.

How EPS works the problem

When customers provide parts they wish to print, the technical team makes informed recommendations based on experience, then tests inks and provides samples for customer review. EPS offers pad-printing machinery, digital inkjet systems, consumables, and auxiliary equipment.

This is part 1 of a three-part series on ink adhesion. Part 2 covers bi-component inks and pre-treatment; Part 3 covers ink mixing, contamination, and mold release agents.