How Ink, Finishes, and Materials Affect Print Quality

 

The overall look of printed Mylar Bags is dependent on both the art work and the interaction of the different ink types, coatings, and materials from which the film is made. Each of these different layers can affect how vibrant a color will be, how textured it will feel, and how durable it will be, and thus making correct materials selections is an extremely important part of the printing process. 

In order for specialized inks to be able to ‘stick’ to a flexible plastic surface, they must be able to keep their shape and form when being bent, and they must be able to resist moisture and oil and temperature changes in order to be able to be read over time. Typical inks that are developed for paper would not perform positively in these conditions.

In addition to all of the above, finishes such as matte, gloss or soft touch coatings can dramatically alter how color appears on the printed substrate. Gloss will enhance the brightness and contrast of the colours printed on the printed surface, and matte will create a muted premium look to the printed surface with limited reflection of light. By incorporating multiple finishes into the design and on certain areas of the printed surface, elements like logos or important design features will be enhanced.

Metalized films also change the outcome because their reflective surface interacts with the transparency of the ink layer, so if the designer wishes to use a metalized base film and wishes to have solid bold colour tones and subtle shimmering effects, they may need to include opaque white films below the colour layer.

Through the use of durability tests, the printed surface must be able to withstand the damages caused by real world conditions like friction from shipping, handling of the packaging on the shelf, and temperature fluctuations. Packaging that retains its visual integrity throughout the entire log from production to the time it is in the hands of the end consumer will be viewed as high quality by consumers.

Having an understanding of the combined elements of both design and material science is how brands create attention-grabbing and dependable packaging. If brands recognize all of these elements, they will have a greater presence on the store shelf with their product and also a greater level of protection for their product. For further information on the full printing process and all best practices, please refer to the website "How To Print on Mylar Bags".