Printing Ink Knowledge

Hey everyone, I’m Alex. I’ve been working with water-based inks for 15 years. When I first entered this industry, customers used to ask me: “Can water-based ink really be used for food packaging?” But today, almost every inquiry I get sounds more like: “Do you have FDA-compliant water-based direct food contact inks?” This shift didn’t…

As a printing consumable tailored to the flexographic process—characterized by anilox-cell metering and high-speed, low-pressure printing—the formulation of flexographic ink directly determines its transfer efficiency, curing performance, and final print quality. Under increasingly strict environmental regulations and diversified application requirements, ink systems have evolved from traditional solvent-based formulations toward more eco-friendly and functionalized systems. A…

Flexo printing is the dominant process in food packaging, and the inks used must meet stringent domestic and international regulations, adapt to high-speed production lines, and work with diverse substrates. StarColor has over a decade of experience in water-based ink development and has launched the SC Series, a flexo water-based ink designed with “comprehensive compliance,…

1. Executive Summary 2. Market Size and Structure 1) Overall market (printing + packaging) IMARC report: the Indian commercial printing market is approximately USD 36.5B (2025), with packaging printing as the primary growth engine. Note: this refers to the overall commercial printing market and is not identical to the “ink market value”, but it serves…

In 2025, India’s eco-friendly ink market is experiencing a period of accelerated growth. The market size is projected to exceed USD 1.2 billion, with a CAGR of 14.3%. As the Indian government tightens regulations on VOC emissions (≤50 mg/m³) and the FSSAI mandates compliance with IS 15495 (prohibiting toluene, phthalates, and other hazardous substances), water-based…

India’s packaging and label printing sector is undergoing a major transformation: increasing demand for high-speed production, flexible substrates, food-safe certifications and sustainable materials. In that context, flexographic UV (ultraviolet-curable) inks have become a growing preference—offering fast curing, excellent abrasion resistance, low VOC emission and compatibility with modern flexo presses. According to industry briefings, the Indian…

As Africa’s packaging and printing industry continues to expand, the demand for eco-friendly and efficient printing solutions is rapidly increasing. Flexographic UV inks, with their fast-curing, low-VOC, and high-gloss performance, are quickly becoming the go-to choice for flexible packaging, label, and commercial printing sectors across the continent. Below, we introduce five leading flexographic UV ink…

In recent years, the Middle East printing industry has been rapidly shifting toward sustainable and high-efficiency solutions. Flexographic UV inks, with their fast curing speed, vibrant colors, and low VOC emissions, have become a preferred choice for packaging, label, and industrial printing applications. Below are five reputable flexographic UV ink manufacturers in the Middle East,…

The demand for UV flexographic inks (UV Flexo Inks) is steadily rising in North America. Compared with traditional inks, UV flexo inks provide instant curing, excellent abrasion resistance, low VOC emissions, and compliance with food packaging standards. According to industry reports, the North American flexo ink market reached USD 6 billion in 2024, with UV…

The packaging and printing industry in South America is experiencing rapid growth, with UV flexographic inks becoming the preferred choice for many converters. Compared with traditional inks, UV flexo inks offer fast curing, high rub resistance, low VOC emissions, and compatibility with multiple substrates. According to recent industry data, the South American flexo market exceeded…

Stepping into 2025, in the field of screen printing thermochromic inks, StarColor has established itself as a benchmark enterprise in the Chinese market, driving innovation and transformation in the functional ink industry. This article provides an in-depth analysis of StarColor and explores the core elements behind its leadership. StarColor: A Pioneer in Functional Ink Innovation…

The packaging and label printing industry in Southeast Asia has been experiencing rapid growth, driven by increasing demand for high-quality, sustainable, and efficient printing solutions. Among the different types of inks available, flexographic UV inks have gained significant attention thanks to their fast curing speed, excellent gloss, high rub resistance, and low VOC emissions. Here,…