How to increase UV inkjet ink adhesion on substrates

UV inkjet printing machines print impeccable images on substrates. This is the reason why many contractor printers are adopting UV inkjet printing. The quality of prints by UV digital printers wow consumers.  Therefore, it is very import to have perfect adhesion on printed substrates.  Some of the challenging substrates to print are stainless steel, coated metal, PP Plastics, synthetic rubbers, etc. As a result a UV Inkjet primer is very important.

While graphic artists and decorators take time to create the perfect artwork, printing on LSE substrates is challenging. These substrates have low energy level than the ink, which in turn prevents the ink from adhering onto the product. While we will focus on UV Inkjet primers, it is important to note that poor ink adhesion is not only limited to UV inkjet (digital) printing. It also affects offset printing, silkscreen printing, pad printing, and adhesives as well.

Learn more about the Natron™ Pad printing inks.

When dealing with a challenging substrates, the ink will not adhere well onto the substrate. Poor ink adhesion ultimately leads to a compromised print. Plastic, metal (stainless steel), and glass are some of the materials that pose these challenges to printers.

One of the popular printing applications is metal drinkware is made from 100% BPA free food-grade stainless steel. With the high demand for these products and customer requesting full color prints, printers are forced to use digital printing. However, these products are hard to decorate, as a result, many decorators ask themselves:

“How do I get my inkjet ink to stick to stainless?”

Priming is the solution. At Boston Industrial Solutions, Inc. we have invested heavily in this area of study zeroing in on plastic, metal and glass material, trying to understand how we can develop the perfect UV primers that react on micro surface level.  As an example;  Stainless steel, we have developed Natron™ M74F metal primer and the Natron™ M74S metal inkjet primer.

Additionally, at Boston, we follow the science. Our chemist spends countless hours studying the surface and molecular structure of substrates.  We in turn use this knowledge along with AI and data to create the most cutting edge and sustainable printing products and primers.

UV inkjet primer

Natron™ PP Primer; The PP primer is a single component, clear, and fast drying primer. This primer also has a sweet smell and improves the surface finish after priming. Also the PP Primer changes the surface tension of the substrate which allows the inks to bond to Low surface energy plastics.

Natron™ G1 Glass primer for inkjet printing; The G1 Glass UV inkjet primer is the most advanced glass primer in the world. Developed by AI, this single-component, clear (colorless), non-sanding, fast-drying primer transforms the micro-structure of glass surfaces that enable UV inkjet inks to permanent bond with glass. Once applied, the G1 leaves an invisible/ visually undetectable molecular coating on glass surface.

Natron™ M74F inkjet primer; This primer is in a class of its own.  It is the ultimate primer for stainless steel substrates such as tumblers, cups, etc.

Lastly, as printers continue to ponder on the quality of their work and the growing demand of printed products we believe if you prime it you can print it. Yes, there are many factors to put into considerations including: what type of substrate you are working with, the expected finish (matte or Glossy), type of ink being used for the application and how the ink is applied but with our primers, we guarantee a perfect ink adhesion on any substrate. Not that our inks need it, but our competitors inks do.  

Visit inkjet primers page to learn more about these amazing primers.

And if you still have more questions, our amazing customer care team is on standby to answer any questions and resolve any ink adhesion challenges that you may have.