With the continuous development of self-adhesive label printing technology in China, the application of flexographic printing equipment is becoming increasingly widespread. Due to its simple operation, fast speed, and high color stability in printing, it has gradually become one of the mainstream printing methods. However, many label printing companies encounter various problems during the production process, such as ink splashing in flexographic printing, scratches on the mesh roller, etc., which cause a decrease in production efficiency. In this article, the author discusses with everyone the key factors that cause ink splashing in flexographic printing based on the above issues.

Firstly, the viscosity of UV ink is much higher than that of water-based ink, and the viscosity can reach five times or even more than that of water-based ink. High viscosity will bring greater pressure to the ink scraper, which may cause it to float or exhibit other deviations. If the parameters or installation of the ink scraper are not standardized, it may even cause the ink to directly pass over the scraper and lose its original function.
Secondly, the thixotropy of UV ink is also another important factor causing ink splashing. The so-called thixotropy refers to the phenomenon of ink thinning or thickening under the influence of external forces or environmental factors, resulting in a change in its fluidity. The stress applied to UV ink is the shear force generated when the ink encounters the scraper.
When the viscosity of the ink on the surface of the scraper or mesh roller decreases, some of the ink will flow under the scraper, reducing the shear force when the ink passes through the scraper. The ink may splash out from the scraper or accumulate on the back of the scraper. As the ink slowly accumulates, it will eventually transfer from the back of the scraper to the printed material