Printing PSA Tapes

Since the starting of the production of PP tapes, ICHEMCO dedicated big efforts in the research and development of systems for printing all sorts of packaging and carton-sealing tapes based on OPP films.

Working in close collaboration with company SIAT, a primary manufacturer of machines for printing on PSA tapes, the aim has always been to have an answer ready for all needs. As a result of this research, we developed the following list of products:

• PRIMER EPX-2 (ECO version, without aromatic solvents, is also available)
• RELEASE PP 25 DIL (ECO version)
• RELEASE ST1
• RELEASE ST 4M
• ADDITIVE ST2
• COLOR INK PP NITRO
• COLOR INK PP PAMC
• COLOR INK PP PAM + ADDITIVE
• COLOR INK W (several series)
• COLOR INK PVC

You can consult the list of available inks, with prices, on our web site.

For a correct choice of the printing system, the variables that have to be evaluated are:

• the type of adhesive
  • solvent
  • hot-melt
  • water
• the surface treatment of the film
  • corona untreated, with release coating
  • corona untreated, without release coating
  • corona untreated, with printable release
  • corona treated
  • corona treated, with printable release

This document will cover the printing systems presently available.

Universal printing process (3 passes)

Tapes: All existing PP (PE, PET) tapes made with solvent, hot-melt, water adhesives, with or without release coats, treated or untreated.

Printing machines: SIAT L 36, SIAT L 36 C.

* To be preferred to PAM inks because it is not soluble in the toluene contained in the release agent, and because of the faster drying

Special printing process (2 passes)

Tapes: Waterborne acrylic adhesive, either low-noise or normal

Printing machines: SIAT L 36 C, SIAT L 33/200.

* You can also use the normal PAM inks (COLOR INK PP PAMC) by adding our ADDITIVE ST2 (50 pp ink - 50 pp additive)

If you use normal PAM inks, without Additive, it is necessary to protect the surface with a release coat (our RELEASE PP 25 DIL).

Simplified process (1 pass)

PP tapes labelled “easy printable” are commercially available, which means they are already treated by producers with special lacquers, providing a direct acceptation of suitable inks (like tapes made with any of our Release ST series products: see below).

Tapes: Pre-treated with RELEASE ST or similar.

Printing machines: SIAT L 33 V.

* You can also use the normal PAM inks (COLOR INK PP PAMC) by adding our ADDITIVE ST2 (50 pp ink - 50 pp additive)

RELEASE ST series (printable release coats)

These types of release agents have been developed for adhesive tapes producers, in order to allow printers to use single pass printing, only with special inks (COLOR INK PP PAM + ADD.).

Specific technical brochure will give necessary information to tape producers on the way to use them.

PVC printing process

Tapes: PVC

Printing machine: SIAT L 33.

Available diluents

Final Remarks

Products to be used for printing must be very homogeneous and fluid.

In case of printing defects (transfer of ink caused by low adhesion), please check the following points:

• Products must be homogeneous. There could be sedimentation at the bottom. Even moderate cold temperatures (below +18° C) can generate sedimentation.
  Should this problem occur, warm the product up to 30-50°C and stir it well till perfect re-solution of the ingredients.
  If product is still rather thick at 20°C, add 15-20 pph of the specific DILUENT (see table above).
• Uncompleted drying after product application is also a common cause of problems.
• Verify that quantity applied (grammage) is correct.
• Pot-life of the products must not exceed the TDS indication.

If you need more information: