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Inks/Coatings/Primers

COF in Printed Packaging

Published: June 30, 2005, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D. Contributing Editor
Automatic packaging operations require a specific range of lubricity to process packaging products. Printing inks contribute to the package lubricity and affect both the static as well as kinetic coefficient of friction (COF).

Odor & Exempt Solvents

Published: May 31, 2005, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D. Contributing Editor
Requirements for low odor in flexible packaging change as new materials are introduced in printing and laminating operations. Retained solvent is the primary odor concern of the printer and converter, and tight odor standards are maintained for printed and laminated structures.

A Look at Laminating Inks

Published: April 30, 2005, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D. Contributing Editor
Packaging inks come in all shapes and sizes and usually must meet unique performance requirements.

Which Ink for Which Substrate?

Published: March 31, 2005, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D. Contributing Editor
Every new ink project begins with an analysis of the substrate to be printed. In just minutes, the complexity of the project can be estimated from the surface tension characteristics of the substrate.

UV/EB a Bright Spot in Economy

Published: February 28, 2005, By Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
Recent shortages of acrylic acid exemplify the problem of raw material supply and its impact on the price stability. Last year has seen various price increases in raw materials, and this trend is continuing into this year. As a result, it is anticipated raw material price fluctuations will negatively impact UV/EB products.

Evolving Ink Jet Technology

Published: January 31, 2005, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
T he concept of forming droplets of liquid in a stream was studied by Lord Kelvin and Lord Rayleigh and other technologists as early as the late 1800s. However, it was not until 1951 that it was patented for the first practical ink jet device based on Rayleigh’s concept.

Water-Based Printing Inks & pH

Published: December 31, 2004, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
In a water-based ink, many of the ink components contribute to the ink pH. For example, the common acrylic resins used in water-based inks are acidic. They are not soluble in water but are soluble when alkaline materials are added.

Inks, Coatings, Compliance

Published: September 30, 2004, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D. Contributing Editor
Packaging engineers are designing new products to meet the growing demand for food packaging items that can be prepared quickly and conveniently by the

New Inks Have a High IQ

Published: August 31, 2004, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D. Contributing Editor
Well, we've heard a lot about smart packaging, so it was inevitable such packaging would require intelligent inks. With current packaging development

The Latitudes of LEAN

Published: June 30, 2004, By Teresa Koltzenburg, Senior Editor
Value-stream mapping is among the many lean-oriented actions your operation can take. But how do you navigate the swelling "lean" lexicon that's appearing on the converting industry horizon?

Unique Issues of Laminating Inks

Published: April 30, 2004, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D. Contributing Editor
One of the major advances in flexible packaging was the introduction of film laminated structures. Film lamination allowed different properties to be

Getting Better with Time

Published: April 30, 2004, By Nsenga Byrd Thompson, Associate Editor
It wasn't too long ago water-based inks were thought of more as a solution to protecting the environment than a choice for high quality printing. But

Ink Jet PigmentsThe Land of the Small

Published: August 01, 2003, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
If you've ever had your ink jet-printed copy get wet, you saw all the inks became soluble and you had a mess on your hands.

Why Manage Color?

Published: December 01, 2002, By Sheila Nysko, Agfa Corp.
Just as perception of color varies from one individual to the next, each device in the imaging workflow—input, display, output—relies on a different method to process colors.

Energy-Curable Inks

Published: December 01, 2002, By Rod Balmer, Flint Ink Corp.
What is the state of UV/EB technology today, and where could it lead in the future? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.

What Is the Role of Tack in Printing Inks?

Published: October 01, 2002, By by Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D. Contributing Editor
Since the earliest attempts at transferring ink from one surface to another, the characteristics of a printing ink have been an important factor in print

A Lesson in Amines Used in Water-Based Products

Published: September 01, 2002, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
One of the key ingredients of many water-based inks and coatings are amines. Amines and ammonia are used in water-based products to control pH required

Redefining Plasticizers in Inks and Coatings

Published: July 31, 2002, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D. Contributing Editor
The dictionary defines plasticizers as any of various substances added to plastics or other materials to keep them soft or pliable. For the purpose of

Focus on Crosslinking in Fluid Ink Systems

Published: June 01, 2002, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
Crosslinkers are an important class of additives ink and coating formulators use to enhance properties. These materials must be selected carefully to

Dealing with Ink Adhesion on High-Slip Films

Published: January 01, 2002, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
One of the most common problems with printing high-slip films is poor ink adhesion. Such films have low surface energies, and the levels of slip additives

NAPIM Survey Finds Printers Are Focused on Ink Performance on Press, Not on Price

Published: November 16, 2001, By PRESS RELEASE
America's packaging printers want their ink to perform on press as well or better than advertised. That's the key finding of a recent survey distributed among 2,000 printers by the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM).

A Brief Chemistry Lesson On Printing Ink Pigments

Published: November 01, 2001, By Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
I have received various inquiries about pigments and pigment chemistry. I will try to answer a few of these questions as they relate to package printing

Crosslinking Agents Can Improve Physical Properties

Published: October 01, 2001, By Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
One of the key areas of ink/coating formulation is the use of crosslinking additives to improve physical resistance properties, such as ink adhesion and

VOC-Compliant Inks: What State Are They In?

Published: October 01, 2001, By Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
Two issues that have remained in the forefront of our industry for at least two decades are environmental regulations and flexography. As the quality

Electronic Ink Technology: New Players Aid Progress

Published: September 01, 2001, By Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
Not only will these electronic inks be used on paper, but they can be printed and laminated to create many packaging products. More than a year ago, I

So You've Seen a Ghost! Who You Gonna Call?

Published: August 01, 2001, By Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
Many of us enjoyed watching Bill Murray conquer the ghosts that he encountered in the movie Ghostbusters. So, you ask, what do ghosts have to do with

Assessing the Potential for Ink Transfer and Migration

Published: July 01, 2001, By Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor

Potential transfer…depends on many factors, such as degree of cure, ink adhesion, pressure between cups, length of time in contact, etc.

Jet Inks, Colorants, and Packaging What's Ahead?

Published: May 01, 2001, By Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
The rapid growth of ink jet technology in various printing sectors forecasts their use in package printing. However, use of ink jet printing in packaging

Water-Based Ink Adhesion and Web Temperature

Published: April 01, 2001, By Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D. Contributing Editor

Unlike solvent-based inks where binders are dissolved in the ink solvents, water-based inks comprise several binders, none of which are soluble in water.

Small Inspection Light Proves to Be a Shining Star

Published: March 01, 2001, By Edward Boyle, Contributing Editor
Unilux creates a hand-held inspection light for Amgraph Packaging that is not only bright enough but convenient and durable as well.

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