By Olivia Cahoon
Part 2 of 2
Coatings used in corrugated packaging applications improve durability, ink adhesion, and provide special effects. The two most common types of digital coatings for corrugated materials are UV- and water-based. Water-based coatings are typically food safe while UV coatings provide added strength.
Available Coatings
Alliance Technology Corporation UniFlex Gloss UFG-9020 UV coating is a roller coating that features high gloss, exceptional flow, the ability to be coated on two sides, and wetting and adhesion for digital or difficult inks. It cures up to 125 feet per minute with a 15 to 25 double rub MEK resistance. Performance characteristics vary depending on coating film weight, substrate holdout, and ink type used.
ACTEGA North America offers a variety of packaging coatings that are water- and UV-based. The ACTDigi Heatresistant Coating AQ41701 FoodSafe is a water-based coating for digitally printing folded boxes, corrugated packaging, displays, household paper products, detergent packaging, and paper-based packaging inline or offline. It’s suitable for direct food contact on coated board, rearside polyethylene (PE) coated board, two-sided PE coated board, and aluminum foil laminated substrates. AQ41701 FoodSafe features a temporary barrier against fat and water.
INX International Ink Co. manufactures digital inks and digital primers including the INXKote Aqueous and ProCure UV coating. The INXKote product line includes multi-functional coatings for sheetfed folding carton, label, and commercial applications. It enhances, preserves, protects, and adds key properties such as gloss, texture, rub, and heat resistance to packaging, publications, mailing brochures, and labels.
INX ProCure UV coatings and varnishes provide a combination of high performance and value. With optimized adhesion to a variety of substrates and a fast cure response, ProCure UV coatings provide a high-speed UV light curing coating for paper and board applications. The product line offers a variety of properties including high gloss, rub, chemical, moisture and fade resistance, low odor, laser safe, and foil stampability.
The Lubrizol Corporation, A Berkshire Hathaway Company, offers PrintRite water-based ink receptive coatings, designed to enable durable digital prints for both consumers and manufacturers. “Engineered to bridge the performance of substrate and ink, PrintRite ink receptive coatings create new possibilities in digital print performance through visual appeal, performance, and efficient workflow,” says Kelly Lawrence, global marketing manager, digital print, Lubrizol.
PrintRite offers substrate adhesion, water-borne technology, and resistance against scratches, water, UV, and heat. PrintRite DP ready-to-use formulations are designed to be coater-ready and work hand-in-hand with specific inks and substrates to deliver desired end-use properties. The products are suggested for substrates such as woven polyester, art canvas, graphic films, and polypropylene. They are available in gloss, matte, semi-gloss, and invisible finishes.
Sun Chemical SunEvo Digital Coatings are designed to facilitate the evolution of digitally printed packaging and improve workflows and technically advanced solutions that comply with industry standards. They are intended for several applications, including flexible packaging, labels, and folding carton and corrugated materials.
SunEvo coatings work with several digital printing technologies, including electrophotography (EP)/liquid EP, water-based inkjet systems, and energy curable inkjet systems. By enhancing surface treatments, the coatings allow converters to print on a wider ranger of substrates, including non-porous films and paper based.
The SunEvo Primus line is a range of primers promoting adhesion to substrates, supporting the pigment on the substrate, and enhancing printability and digital ink resolution. SunEvo Protect includes overprint varnishes that safeguard digital printing inks used in packaging applications, while enhancing finishing quality.
Convenience and Style
Manufacturers printing to corrugated materials may want to consider a coating for added durability, food safety characteristics, and even special effects. There is currently a great selection of available pre- and post-treatment coatings for corrugated packaging applications.
Click here to read part one of this exclusive online series, Coatings for Corrugated Packaging.
Oct2018, Industrial Print Magazine