Inkjet Smudging

Posted on by thomasjweber

An AICC Member Asks:

We supply litho labels to corrugated manufacturers, and recently we have had an inquiry as to our clients  finding success on ink jetting a code on to our supplied labels.  It appears when they inkjet it has a tendency to smudge or smear after being applied to our aqueous coating.  We have even done testing on knocking out the coating as well as just printing on blank stock with no ink or coating, and they end up with smudging issues.  The obvious answer in my mind to to use a different ink on the inkjet machine, however I understand how that additional set up, may not be feasible from a cost or production standpoint.

I am curious if you are familiar with this process, or might know of other instances where this may have been an issue and how that may have been resolved.

Tom’s Answer:

Dyne Testing of the raw stock prior to Printing/Coating may help you find an answer.

This can have a profound impact on the wettability of the base stock…with or without your Inks and/or Coating.

While Dyne level is a more critical issue for the Plastic folks that print and/or label…..it does play a major part in Paper/Paperboard Printing /Coating as well.

This test is of particular interest to me due to the issues you seem to be having with smearing, smudging, etc…..indicates a significantly “tight” sheet or High Surface tension.

Inkjet fluid inks depend on a fairly decent level of porosity for successful transfer and post application curing to be successful. I have experienced first hand in both the Plastic and Paperboard Converting Industries.

I would also ask your client if they have the ability to Corona Treat the InkJet Print surface, which would create a reduced surface tension as well.

As you know, most of our membership is like you folks….their Clients are the ones date coding, postmarking, etc. the printed labels or litho laminated products.

Since the inkjet does NOT seem to work well, even on the raw board, you are off the hook a bit from my standpoint. I would ask the Inkjet supplier to test your raw board, with and without ink/coating,  and supply their finding to you for transferring to your Mill Supplier…..I would also suggest a quick test of Corona Treatment (flamer) just prior to their Inkjet to see if the outcome is significantly better. Your ink supplier may have a primer material in Varnish or Coating that could be printed on that patch to aid as well.

Inkjet Smudging

Posted on by thomasjweber

An AICC Member Asks:

We supply litho labels to corrugated manufacturers, and recently we have had an inquiry as to our clients  finding success on ink jetting a code on to our supplied labels.  It appears when they inkjet it has a tendency to smudge or smear after being applied to our aqueous coating.  We have even done testing on knocking out the coating as well as just printing on blank stock with no ink or coating, and they end up with smudging issues.  The obvious answer in my mind to to use a different ink on the inkjet machine, however I understand how that additional set up, may not be feasible from a cost or production standpoint.

I am curious if you are familiar with this process, or might know of other instances where this may have been an issue and how that may have been resolved.

Tom’s Answer:

Dyne Testing of the raw stock prior to Printing/Coating may help you find an answer.

This can have a profound impact on the wettability of the base stock…with or without your Inks and/or Coating.

While Dyne level is a more critical issue for the Plastic folks that print and/or label…..it does play a major part in Paper/Paperboard Printing /Coating as well.

This test is of particular interest to me due to the issues you seem to be having with smearing, smudging, etc…..indicates a significantly “tight” sheet or High Surface tension.

Inkjet fluid inks depend on a fairly decent level of porosity for successful transfer and post application curing to be successful. I have experienced first hand in both the Plastic and Paperboard Converting Industries.

I would also ask your client if they have the ability to Corona Treat the InkJet Print surface, which would create a reduced surface tension as well.

As you know, most of our membership is like you folks….their Clients are the ones date coding, postmarking, etc. the printed labels or litho laminated products.

Since the inkjet does NOT seem to work well, even on the raw board, you are off the hook a bit from my standpoint. I would ask the Inkjet supplier to test your raw board, with and without ink/coating,  and supply their finding to you for transferring to your Mill Supplier…..I would also suggest a quick test of Corona Treatment (flamer) just prior to their Inkjet to see if the outcome is significantly better. Your ink supplier may have a primer material in Varnish or Coating that could be printed on that patch to aid as well.

Searching for .038 CCNB Sheets

Posted on by thomasjweber

Al asks (responses are in italic): Are you aware of what mills would produce an .038 CCNB sheet?

Tom’s follow-up questions:

  • What is the typical run volume (tons), roll width or sheet size, and annual tonnage estimate?
  • Ship to location?
  • Is a laminated structure an option? (two .019’s mounted)
  • Does it require print, and if so what process will be utilized?
  • Is it going to be die cut, and again what process will be used?
  • Is it going to be glued, and does it need to have strong bending properties? (For example, a 180 degree pre-break on a gluer)

Al’s response:

  • 600,000 sheets of 28 x37-1/2 annually
  • Shipping to xxxx
  • We need to offset print one side 100% coverage a custom color
  • It will be die cut on a 28 x 40 format flatbed cutter
  • We will be wrapping paper to the news back side of the board and then the end of the wraps will glue to the clay coated side

Tom’s advice:

  • I would think E or F Flute would be a proper strength substitute….it may be more in the .045-.065 range.
  • You could actually print a light weight Top Sheet, maybe .008 -.012 SBS and have someone mount it. This may be cost effective as well vs all the fiber in .038. I suspect the Print Performance of lightweight SBS combined with the improved quality could potentially offset any price issue(?) 
  • Alternatively, you could find a supplier that can preprint a 28″ roll with beautiful solid colors on a roll to roll gravure press if they have the capability to combine the materials and sheet to your specs.