Application of DIY pearlescent pigment in gravure printing

Pearlescent pigments have been available for more than 70 years and have a long history in the printing industry. Pearlescent pigments have been widely used in paper printing, different types of printing processes and products, such as lithography, gravure printing, and flexible. Printing, letterpress printing, screen printing, etc. The products are mainly used in paper printing such as soap packaging paper, cigarette case, cigarette holder, greeting card, wallpaper, food packaging paper, etc.; film printing, such as PET, PE, OPP, PS, etc., because pearlescent pigments are widely used, now mainly introduce pearlescent The use of pigments in gravure printing.

1. Pearl powder selection

        The particle size of the prosperous pearl powder has a great relationship with the depth of the printing plate. If the engraving depth is not enough, only the ink will be transferred during printing, and the pearl powder will remain in the ink tank, which will become more and more serious. Precipitation and common ups and downs. Before ordering pearlescent pigments, you must understand the pearlescent effect of the product to determine which type of pearlescent powder is most suitable.

2. Mixing of pearl powder and rinsing agent

        Pearl powder is a kind of crystal powder. When it is blended with a thinner, if it is improperly treated, it is easy to bond into a spherical shape, which leads to the formation of pinholes in printing and poor printing gloss. Therefore, it is very important to use a good dilute. In order to prevent the pearlescent pigments from sticking to each other and forming a small spherical shape, the desired pearlescent powder must be weighed first, and then slowly added with a thinning agent to ensure uniformity of the pearlescent powder in the thinner, such as printing viscosity is too high, suitable Add some diluent (such as isopropyl alcohol, ethyl ester). If a color pearl effect is required, a 0.5-1% ordinary color ink can be added to the adjusted pearl powder to achieve a colored pearlescent effect. Pearlescent ink sometimes shows deposition during use. It uses a circulating cylinder to operate at low speed to keep the pearl powder flowing. At the same time, the ink pump is used to guide the ink to the ink tray for printing. The remaining pearl ink is then used by the pipeline. Flowing back into the ink tank, this device prevents the precipitation of pearl powder while maintaining color stability. The depth of engraving of the plate roll also has a lot to do with the printing effect. If anti-settling agent is added to prevent precipitation, the ink concentration will increase, the fluidity will be reduced, and the printing requirements will not be met. This problem is worthy of the use of the manufacturer.

        In gravure printing, Xingsheng pearl powder can be directly used in printing thinner. The amount of pearl powder used can be added according to customer's requirements. Up to 30% (weight ratio) can be added. Printing manufacturers can purchase pearlescent pigments and mix them directly into printing and dilute. Used in the agent. Pearl powder is an insoluble pigment. It needs to rely on a very good dilute agent to make the pearl powder all wet and dissolve, and the effect can be perfect after printing.