Water-Based Ink for Paper Cup Printing

Name: Water-Based Ink for Paper Cup Printing
Brand: StarColor Ink
Price: 5.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (10 reviews)

SKU:SC1000 ✔ Eco-friendly ✔ Quick-drying ✔ High-performance

Star Color Food-Contact Safe Water-Based Ink for Paper Cups is an eco-friendly, low-odor, and low-migration flexographic ink engineered for hot and cold drink packaging. Compliant with FDA food-contact standards and REACH regulations, it features VOC emissions under 1%, excellent heat resistance, and superior wet-rub performance for high-speed cup-forming machinery.

Ink Type

Water-Based Ink

Printing Method

Flexographic Printing

VOC Content

Under 1%

Test Report

FDA,ROHS,REACH SVHC 253

Solid Content

30%--40%

Printing Speed

150-400m / min

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Product Introduction

Paper cup printing water-based ink is an environmentally friendly flexographic ink specially designed for disposable paper cup printing. It meets food grade FDA safety testing, meets domestic environmental requirements, has no VOCS emissions, no organic residue, and no heavy metal pollution.

Parameter	Specification
Ink Brand	Star Color
Ink Formula	Acrylic resin, pigment, water
Usage	Kraft paper, copperplate paper, disposable paper cup (Single PE / Double PE both supported)
Printing Method	Flexographic printing
Viscosity	15-28 sec (Zahn #4 / 25°C)
pH value	7.5-9.0
Fineness	≤ 10 microns
Safety	Non-flammable, non-toxic
Environmental Standards	ROHS2.0, REACH 253 items, FDA
Printing Speed	150-400 meters/min
Packaging Method	5KG / 10KG / 20KG per barrel
Manufacturer	Huizhou Zhongzhixing Color Technology Co., Ltd.

Instructions for Use

Stir thoroughly before use – Ensure the water-based ink is evenly mixed to maintain consistent composition.
Do not mix with other brands – Avoid combining with inks from other manufacturers to prevent chemical incompatibility.
Prevent contamination and drying – Keep the container sealed when not in use to prevent dust ingress and surface skinning (dry crust formation).
Filter residual ink – If returned ink contains impurities, filter it before mixing with fresh ink.
Test viscosity before printing – Take an appropriate amount of ink and measure the viscosity. It is recommended to adjust viscosity to 8–12 seconds (using a viscosity cup) for optimal printing performance and ink adaptability.

Printing Applications

Colorful Dots Pattern

Black pattern printed on double PE coated coffee cup with water-based flexo ink

Black Pattern Coffee Cup

Coffee paper cup with stripe design, suitable for hot drinks

Coffee Stripe Pattern

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is this water-based ink suitable for food contact paper cups?

Yes, our water-based flexo ink is specifically designed for food contact materials. It complies with FDA, ROHS2.0, and REACH 253 items standards, ensuring safety for direct food contact applications such as disposable paper cups, food boxes, and paper bowls.

2. Can this ink be used on both single PE and double PE coated paper cups?

Yes, it supports both single PE coated and double PE coated paper cups. The ink has excellent adhesion to PE (polyethylene) surfaces without requiring corona treatment, making it ideal for both cold and hot drink cups.

3. What printing speed can I achieve with this ink?

Our water-based flexo ink supports printing speeds up to 400 meters per minute, suitable for high-speed flexographic printing presses. It offers fast drying and stable color consistency even at maximum speed.

4. Is the ink non-toxic and non-flammable?

Yes, the ink is non-toxic and non-flammable. It is water-based, contains no heavy metals or harmful solvents, and produces no irritating odors. This makes it safe for both food packaging and the working environment of printing operators.

5. What is the shelf life and how should it be stored?

The shelf life is 12 months when stored in original, unopened containers. Keep the ink in a cool, dry place at temperatures between 5°C – 35°C (41°F – 95°F), away from direct sunlight and freezing conditions. Always seal the container tightly after use.

6. Can you provide customized colors?

Yes, we offer custom color matching services. You can provide Pantone numbers or physical samples, and our technical team will develop the exact color you need. The minimum order quantity for custom colors is typically 20KG. Standard colors (black, cyan, magenta, yellow) are available in 5KG, 20KG, 100KG, and 200KG packaging.

Contact Us

Our engineers are ready to help you optimize your ink viscosity, pH control, and adhesion for high-speed flexo presses. Tell us about your substrate, and we'll provide a tailored quote within 24 hours.