There has been an increasing demand for high-quality printing solutions across all industries. Businesses today need printing methods that offer consistency, speed, and superior image quality. Gravure printing is valued for its unique ability to produce sharp, vibrant images over long production runs. The quality of gravure printing inks is what allows for these results.

In this blog, we explore what gravure inks are, their features and the various types of high-quality gravure inks offered by DIC India.

What are Gravure Inks?

Gravure printing inks are stable, colloidal-dispersed liquid inks formulated for use in the gravure printing process. These inks have a low viscosity and allow for smooth transfer from the engraved cylinder to the substrate.

Gravure inks can be solvent-based, water-based or in other specialised formulations. These inks are suited for printing on materials like paper, foil, film, and laminates.

Features and Applications of Gravure Inks

Gravure inks are formulated to deliver smooth ink transfer, vibrant colour reproduction, and strong adhesion. Their key features are listed below.

• Consistent colour and image reproduction
• Excellent adhesion to multiple substrates
• Fast drying to prevent smudging and offsetting
• High durability with resistance to abrasion, oil, and heat
• Eco-friendly water-based options with low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
• Versatility for surface printing, reverse printing, and lamination

Some applications of DIC inks are listed below.

1. Food packaging, such as snacks, frozen foods, and retort pouches
2. Detergent, soap, and personal care product packaging
3. Pharmaceutical and medical product packaging
4. Industrial and household goods packaging
5. Paper-based products like bags, labels, and boxes

High-Quality Gravure Inks from DIC India

DIC India has a wide selection of gravure inks engineered specifically for consistent performance and safety across multiple substrates. These inks are available in two types: Lamination Inks and Surface Printing Inks.

Here are some of the DIC inks commonly used for gravure printing.

Lamination Inks

These inks are designed for food, detergent, and other flexible packaging needs.

1. Food Safe Inks: DIC inks like GLX 1012 PVC Free, Artlam TF, and Hikari HSTF meet various food safety standards and are perfect for high-quality food packaging and retort applications.
2. Solvent Free and Low-Odour Options: Smart KF (toluene- and ketonic solvent-free), TAF Inks and Smart Inks offer safer, cleaner, and low-odour printing.
3. Special Application Formulations: Smart TF inks work well for liquid soap refills, ready-to-eat packs, and detergent packs, while AquaSmart provides a water-based alternative with strong adhesion on treated films.
4. Vinyl-Based High-Performance Solutions: Ultralam NT, Unilam, and premium Ultralam™ deliver durability and high bond strength for applications like snack food, frozen food, oil pouches, soap, and detergent packaging.

Surface Printing Inks

Surface printing inks are formulated for paper, foils, and other non-laminated applications. They offer excellent print clarity and adhesion. DIC India has a range of gravure surface printing inks listed below.

1. Lotus: Provides excellent adhesion to treated polyethylene and polypropylene.
2. Modflex TM: Oil-resistant formulation ideal for deep freeze, oil, and milk packaging.
3. Vulcan: Heat-resistant ink designed for heat-sealable BOPP and treated polyethylene film.
4. Shrink™: Specially formulated for printing on PVC films in shrink sleeve applications.

Final Thoughts

Gravure inks offer a unique combination of precision, colour brilliance, and durability. This makes them indispensable for high-quality packaging and printing applications. DIC India's inks provide excellent performance and compliance with all safety standards across industries.

Explore DIC India's gravure inks to find the right match for your next printing project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are gravure inks commonly used?

Gravure inks are commonly used in packaging, publication printing, decorative materials, and industrial labels. They are popular for their precision and finish.

Can gravure inks be eco-friendly?

Yes, water-based gravure inks with low VOCs can be a sustainable, eco-friendly option that doesn't compromise performance.

3. What substrates can gravure inks print on?

Gravure inks are widely used as they work well on a large variety of substrates. Some substrates they work best on include: paper, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester films, foils, and laminates.

4. Are gravure inks suitable for food packaging?

Yes, DIC inks formulated to meet food safety standards such as BIS and FSSAI, like Smart KF, Artlam TF, Hikari HSTF, AquaSmart, Ultralam NT, and Ultralam™, can be used in food packaging.

5. What makes gravure inks different from other inks?

Gravure inks generally offer lower viscosity. This allows them to be transferred from the engraved cylinders on the substrate smoothly and results in sharp, detailed prints.

Reference

• https://dic.co.in/products/gravure-inks

• https://www.dic.co.in/blog/mastering-gravure-printing#:~:text=Gravure%20ink%20is%20the%20type,cater%20to%20various%20printing%20requirements.

• https://www.printarea.cn/news/what-is-gravure-ink