Water-based Ink
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Product Overview

Water-based ink product image

StarColor water-based inks use water as the primary solvent, containing no or minimal volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They are an ideal alternative to traditional solvent-based inks, providing superior printing performance while minimizing harm to the environment and human health.

  • Eco-friendly and non-toxic, meeting food contact material safety standards.
  • Vibrant colors, strong adhesion, and long-lasting print effects.
  • Fast drying speed, improving production efficiency.
  • Easy to clean and maintain, reducing machine downtime.
  • Available in both gravure and flexo types to suit different printing requirements.

Gravure & Flexo Water-Based Inks

Gravure water-based ink printing effect on plastic film

Gravure Water-Based Ink

Specifically formulated for gravure printing, our ink offers excellent leveling, rich colors, and a high-gloss finish. Its stable performance makes it especially suitable for high-speed printing on non-absorbent substrates like plastic films and aluminum foil.

Key Applications:

  • Food and pharmaceutical packaging, soft tubes, shrink films
  • Non-absorbent substrates like aluminum foil, PET, OPP, and nylon
Flexo water-based ink application on corrugated cardboard

Flexo Water-Based Ink

Our flexo water-based ink is ideal for flexographic printing, with excellent transfer and fast-drying properties. It performs exceptionally well on absorbent substrates such as paper and corrugated cardboard, providing clear and durable print results.

Key Applications:

  • Cardboard boxes, paper bags, labels, newspapers, paper cups
  • Absorbent substrates like kraft paper, coated paper, and white cardboard

Successful Customer Case Studies

Case study of premium napkins printed with water-based ink

Luxury Hotel Chain

Challenge: A prestigious hotel chain required high-quality, food-safe inks for their premium napkins that could maintain vibrant colors and sharp details while meeting strict safety standards for direct food contact.

Solution: We developed a specialized food-grade water-based flexo ink formulation with exceptional color brilliance and perfect adhesion to the delicate napkin material. The ink passed rigorous food safety testing and provided consistent print quality across high-speed production lines, enhancing the hotel's luxury dining experience.

Case study of non-woven bag printed with water-based flexo ink

Eco-friendly Retail Chain

Challenge: The client needed vibrant, long-lasting prints on non-woven bags that are highly absorbent and difficult to print on, while maintaining their eco-friendly commitment.

Solution: We formulated a specialized water-based flexo ink with enhanced pigment retention and penetration control for non-woven materials. This provided brilliant color reproduction and excellent rub resistance, even on the most challenging non-woven substrates, helping the client achieve their sustainability goals without compromising on visual appeal.

Case study of beverage label printed with food-grade water-based ink

Premium Beverage Brand

Challenge: The client needed food-grade inks for their beverage labels that could withstand cold storage conditions, resist moisture, and maintain vibrant colors and brand consistency across various PET and glass bottle surfaces.

Solution: We developed specialized food-grade water-based flexo inks with excellent adhesion to plastic and glass substrates. These inks provide enhanced moisture resistance and color stability in refrigerated environments, while meeting strict food contact regulations including FDA and EU standards, helping the client achieve both safety and visual excellence.

Wide Application Fields

Absorbent Substrates

Our water-based inks for absorbent substrates deliver vibrant prints on paper, cardboard, and napkins. Ideal for food packaging and disposable products, our inks meet FDA and EU food safety standards. With excellent adhesion, consistent colors, and low VOCs, they provide a safe, eco-friendly solution for high-quality printing.

Non-Absorbent Substrates

Our water-based inks for non-absorbent substrates, including BOPP, PET, PP, PVC, and PE films, offer flawless printing with superior adhesion and flexibility. They resist cracking, and fading, delivering vibrant colors, fast drying, and chemical resistance. Eco-friendly, custom formulations ensure reliable, high-quality results for packaging, labels.

Special Substrates

Our inks for special substrates handle challenging surfaces such as aluminum foil, nonwoven fabrics, and laminates. They provide excellent adhesion, flexibility, and durable colors, ideal for advanced packaging and industrial applications. Environmentally friendly and customizable, these inks ensure consistent, high-quality printing even on unconventional materials.

Functional Inks

Our functional inks include thermochromic, and indicator inks for specialized printing. Designed for interactive, informative, or decorative effects, they work on various substrates while remaining low in VOCs and environmentally safe. Ideal for packaging, labels, and promotional items, these inks combine innovative performance with vibrant, consistent results.

Technical Specifications

Parameter Value Test Method
pH Value 8.0 - 9.5 pH Meter
Viscosity 10 - 25 sec (Zahn Cup #4) Zahn Cup Viscometer
Lightfastness Level 4-5 (Blue Wool Scale) ISO 105 B02
Drying Speed Very fast, approx. 1-3 seconds Indoor Temperature & Humidity Test
Adhesion Excellent Tape Test Method

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between water-based ink and solvent-based ink?

Water-based ink uses water as its primary solvent, making it eco-friendly with extremely low VOCs. It's mainly used in applications with high environmental and safety requirements, such as food packaging and children's products. Solvent-based inks, on the other hand, are mainly composed of organic solvents, which have a strong odor and can negatively impact the environment and human health.

What is the print quality of water-based inks?

Our water-based inks are formulated to deliver a print quality that is on par with traditional inks. They provide vibrant colors, strong adhesion, and gloss, while their fast-drying speed ensures high-quality prints and production efficiency.

How do I choose the right water-based ink for my needs?

Choosing the right ink depends on your printing method (e.g., gravure or flexo), substrate type (paper, film, aluminum foil, etc.), and the requirements of your final product. You can fill out our custom form or contact our technical experts directly, and we will provide professional recommendations and tailored solutions.

Have Unique Ink Needs?

Our expert team can provide you with the most suitable custom water-based ink solutions based on your specific requirements.


 

Contact Us for a Free Consultation