In the wave of transformation from “solvent-based to water-based” in the packaging and printing industry, the performance of gravure water-based inks directly determines an enterprise’s compliance and market competitiveness. As a benchmark brand in China’s gravure water-based ink sector, Zhongzhixing, with 20 years of technical accumulation, perfectly integrates “environmental compliance” and “printing effect”, becoming the preferred solution in fields such as food packaging and flexible plastic color printing. This article will analyze why this top-tier ink is favored by 80% of leading enterprises in the industry from three dimensions: technological breakthroughs, scenario adaptation, and practical cases.​

I. Redefining the Technical Benchmark of Gravure Water-Based Inks: 3 Core Breakthroughs​

Traditional gravure water-based inks often face three major pain points: color saturation is not as good as solvent-based inks, slow drying speed limits production capacity, and poor adaptability to different substrates. Zhongzhixing has achieved subversive breakthroughs through targeted research and development:​

1. Nano-level color paste technology, 30% improvement in color expression​

Zhongzhixing adopts 0.1-0.3μm nano-level pigment dispersion technology, which increases the suspension stability of color paste in water to 72 hours without sedimentation. Compared with ordinary water-based inks, its color concentration reaches 1.8-2.2 (DIN standard), and the printing density (D value) on PET film can reach more than 1.6, completely comparable to the visual effect of solvent-based inks. The actual measurement data of a well-known beverage enterprise shows that after 300 hours of exposure to sunlight, the color difference ΔE value of the bottle labels printed with Zhongzhixing gravure water-based ink is still controlled within 1.5, far lower than the industry average of 3.0.​

2. Two-component cross-linking drying system, 40% improvement in production efficiency​

In response to the high-speed characteristics of gravure printing machines (speed 80-300 meters per minute), Zhongzhixing has innovatively developed a “low-temperature rapid curing” formula: at a drying temperature of 60-80°C, through the cross-linking reaction of water-based polyurethane and nano-silica, it achieves 3-second surface drying and 10-second complete drying, which is 50% shorter than the drying time of traditional water-based inks. This means that a gravure printing machine with a width of 1.6 meters can increase its daily output from 120,000 meters to 170,000 meters, while energy consumption is reduced by 25% (saving electricity consumption for high-temperature drying).​

3. Substrate adaptability covers 95% of packaging scenarios​

By adjusting the resin system, Zhongzhixing gravure water-based ink can be perfectly adapted to:​

• OPP/CPP films: Adding special adhesion promoters, the cross-cut test (ASTM D3359) reaches 5B level, meeting the low-temperature resistance requirements of frozen food packaging (-20°C without cracking);​

• Aluminum foil composite paper: Using chromium-free passivation technology to solve the chemical reaction problem between ink and aluminum layer, passing the 120°C cooking test without delamination;​

• Kraft paper: The low-viscosity formula (25-35cps) penetrates evenly, avoiding paper wrinkling, and the stiffness retention rate after printing is over 90%.​

For specific substrate printing parameters, please refer to [Zhongzhixing Gravure Water-Based Ink Substrate Adaptation Manual].​

II. Dual Advantages of Compliance and Economy: Why It Becomes the First Choice of Leading Enterprises?​

In the context of increasingly strict environmental policies, the compliance of inks has become a “pass” for enterprises to enter the market, and on this basis, Zhongzhixing has achieved a win-win situation of “environmental protection and cost reduction”:​

1. Fully compliant with international environmental standards​

• Complies with China’s GB 18581-2020 standard, with VOC content ≤50g/L (actual measured value 32g/L), and no explosion-proof equipment is needed in the printing workshop;​

• Passed the EU REACH 211 high concern substances (SVHC) test, with heavy metal content less than 0.01ppm, which can be directly used for infant food packaging;​

• Obtained FDA 21 CFR 175.300 certification, with ink migration ≤0.01mg/kg, meeting the strict requirements of food contact materials.​

A foreign trade packaging enterprise reported that after using Zhongzhixing ink, the pass rate of products exported to the EU increased from 78% to 100%, saving about $20,000 in testing costs annually.​

2. Comprehensive use cost reduced by 18%​

• Raw material cost: The solid content reaches 45-50% (ordinary water-based ink is about 35%), and the ink consumption per unit printing area is reduced by 20%;​

• Labor cost: Due to the fast drying speed, there is no need to stand still after rewinding, reducing 2 quality inspection processes, and each production line can reduce 2 workers;​

• Waste disposal: No waste solvent is generated, and hazardous waste disposal costs are reduced by 80%, saving about ​11,000−16,000 annually.​

III. Verification from the Front Line: 3 Typical Application Cases​

1. Food flexible packaging field: Transformation of a large instant noodle enterprise​

The enterprise originally had 10 solvent-based gravure printing lines, which were facing shutdown due to non-compliant VOC emissions. After switching to Zhongzhixing gravure water-based ink:​

• The printing speed increased from 150 meters per minute to 200 meters per minute, with a daily output increase of 300,000 packs;​

• The ink loss rate decreased from 8% to 3%, saving $38,000 in raw material costs per month;​

• Successfully passed the environmental protection acceptance and received a “Green Factory” subsidy of $6,800 from the local government.​

2. Pharmaceutical packaging field: Quality upgrade of a pharmaceutical aluminum foil enterprise​

Pharmaceutical aluminum foil has extremely high requirements on the safety and adhesion of ink. Zhongzhixing adopts special passivation technology:​

• Achieves 180° bending without cracks after aluminum foil printing, meeting the YBB 00152002 standard;​

• The total number of bacteria is ≤10CFU/g, passing GMP certification, and becoming the designated supplier of many pharmaceutical enterprises.​

3. Paper packaging field: Efficiency revolution of an e-commerce carton enterprise​

Aiming at the wrinkling problem of high-speed printing of kraft paper, Zhongzhixing’s low-viscosity formula:​

• Increases the printing machine speed from 100 meters per minute to 180 meters per minute, with a daily output increase of 500,000 cartons;​

• Color consistency (ΔE≤1.0) reduces customer complaint rate by 60%, and the repurchase rate increases to 92%.​

IV. Tips from the Technical Team: 4 Efficient Use Skills​

1. Selection of cell depth: It is recommended to use a cell depth of 35-45μm (ordinary ink requires 50-60μm) to reduce ink consumption while improving drying speed;​

2. pH value control: Keep the ink pH value between 8.0-8.5, and use Zhongzhixing’s special regulator to avoid color difference caused by pH fluctuation;​

3. Scraper angle: Adjust to 60-65° (5° more than solvent-based ink) to reduce scratches and missing prints;​

4. Storage conditions: It can be stored in a sealed state at 5-35°C for 6 months. After opening, it is recommended to use it within 5 days to avoid viscosity changes due to water evaporation.​

Conclusion: Choosing is Upgrading, Reshaping Competitiveness Starting from Ink​

When environmental protection is no longer a cost burden, and efficiency and quality can be achieved at the same time, Zhongzhixing gravure water-based ink is redefining industry standards. At present, more than 500 packaging enterprises have achieved the triple breakthrough of “environmental compliance + cost reduction + quality improvement” by switching to this ink.​

If you need to test the performance of the ink on specific substrates for free, you can [apply for Zhongzhixing gravure water-based ink samples], and the technical team will provide customized printing solutions. In the mandatory question of “switching from solvent-based to water-based”, choosing top-tier ink is choosing a one-step transformation shortcut.