What are the advantages of water-based ink?

Water-based inks are eco-friendly, low in VOCs, and ideal for printing on paper and cardboard for food-safe packaging.

Can water-based inks be used on plastic films?

Yes, StarColor offers specially formulated water-based inks with strong adhesion on PE, PP, and PET films.

StarColor provides low migration UV inks that comply with EU and FDA food packaging standards.

Low migration inks are designed to prevent unwanted ink components from migrating into food, meeting strict regulatory requirements.

1. Poor adhesion on film & paper?

For flexo/gravure: Improve surface tension, use adhesion promoter, adjust anilox/engraving volume.
2. Slow drying in high-speed printing?

Increase dryer temperature/airflow, reduce viscosity, use fast-drying solvent for gravure/flexo.
3. Pinholes & bubbles in print?

Filter ink, add defoamer, stabilize stirring, check anilox roller or gravure cylinder.
4. Ink settling & thickening?

Stir fully before use, seal storage, avoid high temperature; stable for flexo/gravure.
5. Uneven color density?

Unstable viscosity, doctor blade pressure, worn anilox/gravure cylinder, unstable drying.
6. Poor water & scratch resistance?

Add crosslinking agent, ensure full drying, optimize resin for flexo/gravure applications.
7. Plate blocking & dry-up?

Extend open time, reduce draft, clean flexo plate/gravure cylinder regularly.
8. Strong odor after printing?

Use low-odor resin, enhance ventilation, ensure full drying in flexo/gravure lines.
9. Low lamination strength?

Control ink layer thickness, use laminating-grade ink, match adhesive for flexo/gravure.
10. Poor fluidity in winter?

Keep temp ≥15°C, use anti-freeze additive, pre-warm ink for flexo/gravure presses.

1. UV ink not fully cured & sticky?

Check UV lamp power, increase exposure, reduce press speed, match anilox volume.
2. Poor adhesion on flexo substrates?

Corona treat film, use primer, select flexo-special UV ink with good adhesion.
3. Craters & fish eyes in flexo print?

Clean substrate, add leveling agent, avoid contamination on flexo plate & anilox.
4. Strong odor from UV flexo ink?

Ensure full UV curing, use low-odor monomers, improve exhaust in flexo station.
5. Ink film cracking after curing?

Reduce UV energy, add flexible monomers, adjust flexo ink layer thickness.
6. Yellowing & migration issues?

Use non-yellowing UV formula, avoid over-curing, suitable for food flexo packaging.
7. Flexo plate blocking & drying?

Avoid direct UV light, use light shield, clean flexo plate quickly with proper detergent.
8. Ink viscosity increases fast?

Store in dark, control room temp, avoid light exposure in flexo ink chamber.
9. Poor overprinting in flexo?

Reduce first-color curing, adjust overprint time, use matched flexo UV ink series.
10. Poor rub & scratch resistance?

Add anti-wear additives, optimize curing, adjust anilox for flexo ink laydown.