Reducing the weight of a pack without reducing its strength or branding lies in flexible plastic – in the form of films, shrink wrapping, and pouches. In an effort to capitalize on this format, brands are emblazoning logos, images and information across the flexible surfaces. Printing on to these substrates requires specialist knowledge.

A key factor is the stability of the substrate – whether it stretches or shrinks. Teleford-based plastic packaging specialist Sirane manufactures a range of packaging, including biodegradable and compostable products. Flexible plastics pose different challenges to printing on other substrates. Shrink sleeves are a challenge because they tend not to be stable before they are shrunk. As a result, the design has to be straightforward.

Packaging manufacture Linpac has an innovative approach to printing on this substrate. They claim to be the first company in Europe to print on flexible plastic using water-based inks. The ink provides adhesion to the film and the inks have no solvent emissions, there’s no solvent residue, and no solvent emissions when cutting the film. The selection of plastic films is so vast and the company must find the best ink for the job.

Tags: print industry, substrates

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