Siegwerk Druckfarben AG & Co. KGaA ∙ Alfred-Keller-Str. 55 ∙ 53721 Siegburg ∙ Germany ∙ Phone: +49 (0) 2241 304-0 ∙ info@siegwerk.com ∙ www.siegwerk.com

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FLEXIBLE PACKAGINGNews for Flexible Packaging ∙ EMEA Edition

December 2014 ∙ Issue 01

Sometimes, only the most exclusive design

is appropriate. This applies to flexible pack-

aging that creates showcase for the prod-

uct to be sold. When high-class branding is

the goal, HD flexo printing facilitates excel-

lent print results.

The benefits are manifold: color contrast,

brilliant images, consistency in printing

process etc. The process achieves a high-

er printing quality than conventional flexo

printing, basically similar to gravure print-

ing, making it a viable alternative.

With regards to ink, several factors con-

tribute to the quality of HD flexo printed

packaging. The particular focus here is on

an exceptional half tone printing. The in-

creased quality is a result of various factors:

high resolution printing plates, very fine,

low volume anilox rollers and specially ad-

justed printing inks.

The amount of transferred ink is reduced

and consequently the ink film becomes

thinner but nevertheless achieving high col-

or strength. To establish the process reliably

Siegwerk supports customers with exten-

sive guidance. Some parameters need to be

met, in order to create good preconditions

for an excellent ink for flexo printing. For

example, adjusting drying speed to avoid

drying on the anilox or the printing plate

is crucial. Even over long print runs the ink

stability needs to be very high to ensure

clean and uniform printing. In most cases,

Siegwerk can adjust the conventional flexo

printing inks to meet the increased HD flexo

printing requirements, usually for process

colors.

In television technology, at first it was a lux-

ury feature. By now, HDTV is the acknowl-

edged industry standard. HD Flexo printing

is able to compete with the visual quality

of gravure and offset printing. Siegwerk is

well-equipped for this evolution.

Welcome to Siegwerk News! Creating this new channel, we asked ourselves: what

should be in it for you? We would like to keep you posted on what you can expect from

us – today and in the future. In a nutshell, that includes three main areas we engage

in on a daily basis: technology guidance and support, ink performance, and product

safety. After all, by understanding and overseeing major parts of the packaging pro-

cess and by thinking beyond the ink, we contribute to more efficient processes, higher

quality and food safety for our customers. One more thing: since this is a new platform,

we would be happy to receive your feedback. What do you like? What do you think is

missing? Please email us your thoughts. Enjoy reading the first edition!

Sincerely, Coen Vinke

DEAR BUSINESS PARTNERS,

HD FLEXO INK: THE DEFINITION OF QUALITY

Coen Vinke, Vice President BU

Flexible Packaging

HD flexo printed packaging

We all know it from our television at home: High-Definition (HD) is more

than just nice to have. The same applies for HD flexo printing. But to

meet the highest standards, this printing process is reliant on appropriate ink.

Siegwerk Druckfarben AG & Co. KGaA ∙ Alfred-Keller-Str. 55 ∙ 53721 Siegburg ∙ Germany ∙ Phone: +49 (0) 2241 304-0 ∙ info@siegwerk.com ∙ www.siegwerk.com

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FLEXIBLE PACKAGINGNews for Flexible Packaging ∙ EMEA Edition

COMPREHENSIVE PRODUCT SAFETY

Do all good things come in threes? That is

not quite enough, when it comes to prod-

uct safety at Siegwerk. In this case, the

magic number is four:

• Safe products

• Systematic processes

• Product safety guidance

• Proactive safety work

From understanding and controlling migra-

tion mechanisms via various internal safety

nets (such as our sophisticated raw materi-

al introduction process and global formu-

lation guidelines) and facilitating extensive

know-how sharing all the way to support-

ing legislative procedures.

This newsletter will introduce one of

the four categories of product safety at

Siegwerk in each upcoming issue, respec-

tively.

SOLVING PROBLEMS PART 1: GHOSTINGDEVELOP

ANDOPTIMIZE

If in flexo printing, after a printing

and packaging process, it occurs that

a weak printed image is visible in one

part of the motif where it should not

be, the technical term is ”ghosting ef-

fect”. It oftentimes crops up in the case

of a solid print with negative fonts or

with windows. There are various caus-

es for this problem, with different solu-

tions (see chart below).

We feel that offering a mere product is

not enough. Thus, we have made the

strategic decision to guide customers to

optimize functionality and the efficiency

of their print jobs rather than selling ink.

Based on decades of experience, Siegwerk

places great value on developing and op-

timizing solutions and customers' prod-

uct portfolios. The company engages in a

broad range of activities to help partners

creating more efficient processes, attrac-

tive designs and improve packaging func-

tionality. Precisely analyzing customers’ re-

quirements and assessing the best solution

contributes to innovative packaging ideas

and gives expert insight in considering

cost-performance ratios. In this regard, the

ink itself adds to higher efficiency in both

the print and the packaging process. Being

at the interaction of substrates, inks, and

adhesives, Siegwerk enables this by devel-

oping specific formulations and optimizing

ink portfolios for particular market require-

ments. Oftentimes, this includes a portfolio

simplification leading to fewer downtimes,

improved stock level, and, all in all, a com-

mercially and technically best fit for use ink

portfolio.

Withouterror

Witherror

Ghosting: Cause and Remedy

■ PACKAGING DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT We rethink packaging performance.

■ INK DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION

We formulate high-performing ink solutions.

■ INK PORTFOLIO SIMPLIFICATION

We reduce your ink portfolio complexity.

Increase the pressure in the chamber doctor blade system.

The anilox roller cells are inadequately filled.

Add retarder to the ink.

The ink dries in the anilox roller cells.

Use an anilox roller with a higher transferred volume.

The amount of ink available is too small, as the transferred vol-ume of the anilox roller is too low.

Increase the print-ing speed or the viscosity of the ink.

The printing speed is too low.

Product safety is key

for food packaging

Please contact your account management team for more information.