Additives in Water-Based Flexo Inks

Water-based flexo inks are widely used in printing, especially in the packaging industry. To optimize printing performance, improve durability, and enhance operability, various additives are commonly incorporated. The main types of additives in water-based flexo inks include:

1. Dispersants: Used to improve the dispersion of pigments or fillers, preventing pigment agglomeration and ensuring ink uniformity and color stability. Examples include polymer dispersants and surfactants.
2. Leveling Agents: Used to improve the surface leveling of the ink, reducing defects like streaking and bubbling during printing, and enhancing print quality.
3. Thickeners: Increase ink viscosity, enhance ink adhesion, and help the ink adhere better to the substrate, preventing issues like ink running or uneven coating.
4. Defoamers: Used to reduce foam formation in the ink, preventing bubbles that can negatively affect print quality.
5. Stabilizers: Enhance the storage stability of the ink, preventing sedimentation and stratification, and extending the ink’s shelf life.
6. Crosslinkers: Help the ink dry quickly after printing, increasing its abrasion resistance and durability, thereby improving the quality of the final product.
7. Wetting Agents: Reduce the surface tension between the ink and substrate, improving wetting ability and ensuring even coverage during printing.
8. Antistatic Agents: Prevent static electricity buildup during printing, avoiding uneven ink adhesion to the substrate and improving print quality.
9. Transparency Modifiers: Adjust the transparency of the ink to achieve the desired visual effect.
10. Preservatives: Prevent the ink from degrading or molding during storage, ensuring the ink’s quality and performance.

The above are the commonly used additives for flexographic water-based ink in use, hoping to be helpful to you.