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Getting Better with Time

Published: April 30, 2004, By Nsenga Byrd Thompson, Associate Editor
It wasn't too long ago water-based inks were thought of more as a solution to protecting the environment than a choice for high quality printing. But

Ink Jet PigmentsThe Land of the Small

Published: August 01, 2003, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
If you've ever had your ink jet-printed copy get wet, you saw all the inks became soluble and you had a mess on your hands.

Why Manage Color?

Published: December 01, 2002, By Sheila Nysko, Agfa Corp.
Just as perception of color varies from one individual to the next, each device in the imaging workflow—input, display, output—relies on a different method to process colors.

Energy-Curable Inks

Published: December 01, 2002, By Rod Balmer, Flint Ink Corp.
What is the state of UV/EB technology today, and where could it lead in the future? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.

What Is the Role of Tack in Printing Inks?

Published: October 01, 2002, By by Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D. Contributing Editor
Since the earliest attempts at transferring ink from one surface to another, the characteristics of a printing ink have been an important factor in print

A Lesson in Amines Used in Water-Based Products

Published: September 01, 2002, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
One of the key ingredients of many water-based inks and coatings are amines. Amines and ammonia are used in water-based products to control pH required

Redefining Plasticizers in Inks and Coatings

Published: July 31, 2002, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D. Contributing Editor
The dictionary defines plasticizers as any of various substances added to plastics or other materials to keep them soft or pliable. For the purpose of

Focus on Crosslinking in Fluid Ink Systems

Published: June 01, 2002, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
Crosslinkers are an important class of additives ink and coating formulators use to enhance properties. These materials must be selected carefully to

Dealing with Ink Adhesion on High-Slip Films

Published: January 01, 2002, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
One of the most common problems with printing high-slip films is poor ink adhesion. Such films have low surface energies, and the levels of slip additives

NAPIM Survey Finds Printers Are Focused on Ink Performance on Press, Not on Price

Published: November 16, 2001, By PRESS RELEASE
America's packaging printers want their ink to perform on press as well or better than advertised. That's the key finding of a recent survey distributed among 2,000 printers by the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM).

A Brief Chemistry Lesson On Printing Ink Pigments

Published: November 01, 2001, By Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
I have received various inquiries about pigments and pigment chemistry. I will try to answer a few of these questions as they relate to package printing

Crosslinking Agents Can Improve Physical Properties

Published: October 01, 2001, By Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
One of the key areas of ink/coating formulation is the use of crosslinking additives to improve physical resistance properties, such as ink adhesion and

VOC-Compliant Inks: What State Are They In?

Published: October 01, 2001, By Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
Two issues that have remained in the forefront of our industry for at least two decades are environmental regulations and flexography. As the quality

Electronic Ink Technology: New Players Aid Progress

Published: September 01, 2001, By Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
Not only will these electronic inks be used on paper, but they can be printed and laminated to create many packaging products. More than a year ago, I

So You've Seen a Ghost! Who You Gonna Call?

Published: August 01, 2001, By Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
Many of us enjoyed watching Bill Murray conquer the ghosts that he encountered in the movie Ghostbusters. So, you ask, what do ghosts have to do with

Assessing the Potential for Ink Transfer and Migration

Published: July 01, 2001, By Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor

Potential transfer…depends on many factors, such as degree of cure, ink adhesion, pressure between cups, length of time in contact, etc.

Jet Inks, Colorants, and Packaging What's Ahead?

Published: May 01, 2001, By Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
The rapid growth of ink jet technology in various printing sectors forecasts their use in package printing. However, use of ink jet printing in packaging

Water-Based Ink Adhesion and Web Temperature

Published: April 01, 2001, By Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D. Contributing Editor

Unlike solvent-based inks where binders are dissolved in the ink solvents, water-based inks comprise several binders, none of which are soluble in water.

Small Inspection Light Proves to Be a Shining Star

Published: March 01, 2001, By Edward Boyle, Contributing Editor
Unilux creates a hand-held inspection light for Amgraph Packaging that is not only bright enough but convenient and durable as well.

Assessing Inks, Dealing with DigitalThe NPIRI Conference

Published: January 01, 2001, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
The National Printing Ink Research Institute (NPIRI) held its 44th Technical Conference in October in Pine Mountain, GA. The well-attended event included

Think the Ink You're Using Is A No-Brainer? Think Again.

Published: January 01, 2001, By Teresa Koltzenburg, Senior Editor
Well, here we are inside the new millennium and things certainly are complicated, aren't they? Though we entered Y2K without the many catastrophes predicted

The Formation of ''Microfoam'' in Water-Based Flexo Inks

Published: November 01, 2000, By Richard M. Podhajny, PhD, Contributing Editor
If you bubble air into water, the foam bubbles produced rupture rapidly, and the water surface layer becomes flat. However, if you add a small amount

Estimating the Drying Rate of Flexo Ink in the Laboratory

Published: October 01, 2000, By Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
One reason the drying rate of flexo inks has become an important subject is the general trend toward the use of thinner ink films. In the narrow web sector,

Nitrocellulose, Solvents, Recycling, and Safety

Published: October 01, 2000, By Arthur J. Legros, SRS Engineering Corp.
Without proper precautions, the combination of nitrocellulose-containing inks, solvent-based press cleaners, and on-site recycling can be a deadly one.

Canadian Banknote Installs Brookfield Viscometers

Published: September 01, 2000, By Edward Boyle, Contributing Editor
MISSISSAUGA, ONT., CANADACanadian Bank Note Intl. (CBN), a 50-employee printing operation specializing in lottery and gaming tickets for governments,

What Is the Role of Additives in Water-Based Inks?

Published: September 01, 2000, By Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
The performance of water-based inks in flexographic printing is, to a large degree, based on additives that are incorporated into the ink to optimize

Tape Converter Stands Up to Goliath with New Press

Published: March 31, 2000, By Edward Boyle, Contributing Editor
A flexo press from Bell-Mark makes a large contribution to Filmex Corporation, a smal specialty tape converter.

Bag machine adds value to customer-oriented operation.

Published: December 01, 1996, By Boyle, Edward
A new FMC servo draw bag machine fits right in at All-Pak, a company that takes customer needs very seriously.When Fred J. Faletti founded All-Pak Inc.,

Temperature control helps ink customers optimize performance.

Published: December 01, 1996, By Acevedo, Jennifer
Sun Chemical's research and technical facility uses Raytek Raynger PM portable noncontact thermometers to help its customers get the most out of their

EPA and printers join forces to evaluate inks.

Published: November 01, 1996, By Bergman, Stephanie
Determined to secure systematic, comparative data on inks, the flexo industry and the Environmental Protection Agency have launched the Design for the

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