【 Tips 】 Complete knowledge of printing and packaging technology

Packaging printing is an important means and approach to increase the added value of goods, enhance their competitiveness, and expand their market. Designers should have knowledge of necessary packaging and printing processes to make the designed packaging products more functional and aesthetically pleasing. Different packaging materials will have different printing processes. In this issue, Zhengtao Packaging collects and organizes information on printing processes to share with you.

Paper packaging printing technology 1. Printing methods There are many ways to print paper packaging, and different methods and operations result in different printing effects. The traditional printing methods are mainly divided into the following four categories:

(1) Letterpress printing refers to the process where the graphic and textual parts of the printing plate are higher than the non graphic and textual parts. The ink on the ink roller can only be transferred to the graphic and textual parts of the printing plate, while the non graphic and textual parts have no ink, thus completing the printing of the printed product. Any printed material with slight raised marks on the back of the paper, neat lines or dot edges, and light ink in the center is a relief print.

(2) Gravure printing is the opposite of relief printing, where the graphic and textual parts of the printing plate are lower than the non graphic and textual parts, forming a groove shape. The ink only covers the grooves, and there is no ink on the surface of the printing plate. The paper is covered on the top of the printing plate, and the printing plate and paper are pressurized to transfer the ink from the concave part of the printing plate to the paper.

The printed products of gravure printing have the advantages of thick ink layer, bright colors, high printing plate durability, stable print quality, and fast printing speed, so they have been widely used in practice.

(3) The graphic and non graphic parts of the planographic printing plate are kept flat on the surface, with the graphic part covered with a layer of oily film, while the non graphic part absorbs appropriate moisture. When applying ink, the graphic and textual parts repel moisture and absorb ink, while the non graphic and textual parts form an anti ink effect due to the absorption of moisture. Tip: Due to its simplicity and low cost in operation, lithography has become the most commonly used method in printing today.

(4) Screen printing refers to the process of ink leaking from the mesh holes of the graphic and textual parts onto the substrate under the pressure of a scraper, rather than the mesh holes of the non graphic and textual parts being blocked, preventing ink from leaking onto the substrate, thus completing the printing of the printed product. Tip: Screen printing can also be used for large-area printing, with a maximum printing range of 3 meters by 4 meters or even larger for printed products. 2. There are many printing techniques for paper packaging, and below, Zhengtao Packaging will introduce several commonly used printing techniques:

(1) The manifestation of hot stamping technology is to make a convex pattern of the desired hot stamping or silver stamping pattern and heat it, then place aluminum foil of the desired color on the printed material, apply pressure, and make the aluminum foil adhere to the printed material. Tip: There are many types of hot stamping paper materials, including gold, silver, laser gold, laser silver, black, red, green, and so on.

(2) The laminating process is a surface processing technique after printing, which refers to a product processing technology formed by covering a layer of transparent plastic film on the surface of the printed product with a laminating machine. Tip: Printed products coated with film will have a smoother, brighter, more stain resistant, water-resistant, and wear-resistant surface.

(3) The concave convex embossing process utilizes the high pressure of a relief printing machine to press the partial patterns or text on the already printed semi-finished product into clear concave convex and three-dimensional graphics and text. Attention: Concave convex embossing technology is commonly used in the post-processing of printed materials and paper containers. In addition to packaging paper boxes, it is also applied in the printing of bottle labels, trademarks, book binding, calendars, greeting cards, and other products.

(4) UV anti metal etching printing process, also known as frosted or sand surface printing, is a process of printing a layer of uneven semi transparent ink on a substrate with a metallic mirror luster (such as gold or silver cardboard), and then curing it with ultraviolet light (UV) to produce a shiny metal surface that has been etched or frosted. Attention: UV anti metal etching ink can produce suede and matte effects, making printed materials appear soft and solemn, elegant and luxurious. In addition to the several printing processes introduced above, paper packaging printing processes also include refractive index, die-cutting and indentation, hydrothermal transfer printing, drip molding, icing, scraping silver and other printing processes. If you want to learn more about printing and packaging knowledge, please follow Zhengtao Packaging.