Water-based Ink
Inaccuracies in communication sometimes called ‘greenwashing’ is a significant problem when using water-based inks
Water-based inks dry and evaporate naturally, requiring no extra energy to do so.
Water-based inks dry and evaporate naturally, requiring no extra energy to do so.
Water-based Ink definition
Inks are used during the printing process to transfer your image onto the material using flexographic, lithographic, offset or digital methods.
All printing inks contain a pigment of colour, a binder (also called the base) which sticks the pigment to the surface, and a solvent to spread the ink over the desired area evenly. Additives are sometimes added to increase the ink’s durability.
Water-based inks have binder and solvents that are water-based.
Why you should use water-based inks
Water-based inks are used when printing directly onto the cardboard surface, rather than a separate piece of material that’s then laminated onto the cardboard. Water-based inks are transparent in touch - that is to say, the ink film cannot be felt, but rather deeply into the cardboard underneath.
Water-based inks emit no volatile organic compounds [1] (VOC’s) during the printing or drying process and therefore are safe to both workers and the surrounding atmosphere.
As there are no chemical additives, water-based inks are cheap and easy to produce. Water-based inks don’t require a heater to set, cure and dry, as they to do so at room temperature (approximately 18 degrees C [2] /64.6F).
Wastage is nothing more than dirty (non-contaminated) water that is fit to be released into the sewer for standard water-treatment processing. Some printing facilities also have in-house water treatment facilities to clear and reuse the water used in water-based inks.
Why shouldn’t use water-based inks
While water-based inks do cure naturally, they take longer to do so. This increases the turn-around time for an order, and depending on the facility, also holds up other orders.
While water-based inks do create water waste that can be treaded in council facilities, they do create wastewater, and a significant amount more than petroleum and solvent-based inks.
Packhelp and water-based inks
Packhelp’s products use water-based inks everywhere possible. Alternatives are used only when water-based inks cannot be used.
Water-based inks are used whenever the flexographic printing method is used.
All Packhelp’s water-based inks adhere to ISO 16758 [3] .
Frequently asked questions:
