UV Ink Primers
What is a UV Ink Primer?
First, let’s define the term “primer”. According to Steve Smith of www.smithandcompany.org in the article what is a primer, the word “primer” is derived form the Latin word primus, meaning first. Primer literally means the prime coat, or the first coat.
A UV ink primer is a coating applied to a part, prior to printing with an ink or bonding with an adhesive. All substrates prior to printing need to be cleaned to remove impurities. This is called pretreatment. Examples of pretreatment include include Pyrosil®, plasma, and flame treatments. In summary, the function of a UV ink primer is to aid ink adhesion between the UV inkjet inks and the substrate.
Check out our primers for printing inks and adhesives
Using UV Inkjet ink Primer
How to Apply a Primer?
Superior ink adhesion is dictated by several factors such as the dyne levels of the ink and substrate, surface energy, coatings, and other bonding characteristics. The surface tension of the UV inkjet ink should be about 10 dynes less than the surface energy of the substrate. This is a general rule in the printing industry. Most UV inks have a range of 25-35 dyne. Therefore, to achieve outstanding print quality, the product has to have a surface energy between 35-45 dyne.
Natron™ Primer and pretreatment solutions
Boston Industrial Solutions chemist and engineering department has contentiously worked had to create innovative inks that bond to most substrates. In cases where out of the can ink will not work, we have developed cutting edge primers to aid any type of ink including UV inks bonding to challenging substrates. Natron™ G1 Glass primer for glass, is a breakthrough inkjet ink primer that optimizes ink adhesion on glassware, tiles, and many other substrates. This primer when wiped evenly onto glass, it creates a permanent bond between the ink and the substrate. After the pre-treatment process, printed drinkware items can withstand multi industrial washes without image degradation.
Boston Industrial Solutions is continuously looking for innovative ways to improve ink adhesion onto substrates. If we cannot develop an ink that will adhere onto a product directly straight from the can, then we will develop innovative ways to make ink bond onto difficult to print substrates.
It is important to read through the technical data files as well as do trials prior to printing. We offer Free adhesion testing to determine the best primer and printing inks for your product. Our engineers and chemists have experience working with a many different substrates for over 40 years. Our goal is to improve ink adhesion and increase abrasion resistance. We are the keepers of color. Our goal is to help you to create vibrant, durable prints that last forever.
Contact us via email or phone. We are available 24/7 for you.