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Inks/Coatings/Primers

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 1, 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 1, 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 1, 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 1, 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 1, 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 1, 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 1, 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 1, 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 1, 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 1, 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 1, 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.

Assessing Inks, Dealing with DigitalThe NPIRI Conference

Published: January 1, 2001, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
The National Printing Ink Research Institute (NPIRI) held its 44th Technical Conference in October in Pine Mountain, GA. The well-attended event included

Think the Ink You're Using Is A No-Brainer? Think Again.

Published: January 1, 2001, By Teresa Koltzenburg, Senior Editor
Well, here we are inside the new millennium and things certainly are complicated, aren't they? Though we entered Y2K without the many catastrophes predicted

The Formation of ''Microfoam'' in Water-Based Flexo Inks

Published: November 1, 2000, By Richard M. Podhajny, PhD, Contributing Editor
If you bubble air into water, the foam bubbles produced rupture rapidly, and the water surface layer becomes flat. However, if you add a small amount

Estimating the Drying Rate of Flexo Ink in the Laboratory

Published: October 1, 2000, By Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
One reason the drying rate of flexo inks has become an important subject is the general trend toward the use of thinner ink films. In the narrow web sector,

Nitrocellulose, Solvents, Recycling, and Safety

Published: October 1, 2000, By Arthur J. Legros, SRS Engineering Corp.
Without proper precautions, the combination of nitrocellulose-containing inks, solvent-based press cleaners, and on-site recycling can be a deadly one.

Canadian Banknote Installs Brookfield Viscometers

Published: September 1, 2000, By Edward Boyle, Contributing Editor
MISSISSAUGA, ONT., CANADACanadian Bank Note Intl. (CBN), a 50-employee printing operation specializing in lottery and gaming tickets for governments,

What Is the Role of Additives in Water-Based Inks?

Published: September 1, 2000, By Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
The performance of water-based inks in flexographic printing is, to a large degree, based on additives that are incorporated into the ink to optimize

Tape Converter Stands Up to Goliath with New Press

Published: March 31, 2000, By Edward Boyle, Contributing Editor
A flexo press from Bell-Mark makes a large contribution to Filmex Corporation, a smal specialty tape converter.

Bag machine adds value to customer-oriented operation.

Published: December 1, 1996, By Boyle, Edward
A new FMC servo draw bag machine fits right in at All-Pak, a company that takes customer needs very seriously.When Fred J. Faletti founded All-Pak Inc.,

Temperature control helps ink customers optimize performance.

Published: December 1, 1996, By Acevedo, Jennifer
Sun Chemical's research and technical facility uses Raytek Raynger PM portable noncontact thermometers to help its customers get the most out of their

EPA and printers join forces to evaluate inks.

Published: November 1, 1996, By Bergman, Stephanie
Determined to secure systematic, comparative data on inks, the flexo industry and the Environmental Protection Agency have launched the Design for the

UV/EB technology moves ahead with the times

Published: July 1, 1996, By Mykytiuk, Andrew
Converters have been fueling the growth of the ultraviolet-curing industry at a rate of 20% per year for the past ten years. George Pasternack, manager

Something new under the sun

Published: July 1, 1996, By Mykytiuk, Andrew
Chamelacolors are long-lasting, light-activated inks that can be applied in-line by conventional printing presses onto any substrate.The decades-long

Independent Packaging: the "restart" of something great

Published: April 1, 1996, By Mykytiuk, Andrew
Independent Packaging arose from the ashes, but it wasn't easy. Now, after only 18 months, IP is on track to produce 1 billion bakery bags this year.Perhaps

Viscosity system saves ink and improves print quality

Published: January 1, 1996, By Mykytiuk, Andrew
By choosing a Norcross in-tank viscosity control system for its new press, Lally Pak improved both its process printing and efficiencies of operation.There

"Partnering" helps get press up to speed

Published: December 1, 1995, By Mykytiuk, Andrew
Viking Label and Packaging faced production delays with ink foaming problems until DIP Co. stepped in and gave its partner a helping hand.When Viking

Printer responds to tougher environmental standards

Published: May 1, 1995
New regulations nailed a solvent done considered environmentally friendly. Poly-Pak Industries scrambled to meet the new standards and combat a wave of

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