What Type of Ink Is Used for Gravure Printing?
What Type of Ink Is Used for Gravure Printing?
Solvent-Based vs Water-Based Gravure Printing Ink and How to Choose the Right Ink System
For flexible packaging gravure printing, solvent-based and water-based low-viscosity inks are two of the most commonly used ink systems. Solvent-based gravure inks are widely used for flexible plastic films because of their fast drying and compatibility with high-speed printing, while water-based gravure inks can help reduce solvent use and VOC emissions but may require different drying conditions. The right ink system depends on the substrate, production speed, drying capacity, print structure, lamination process and final packaging application.
Selecting gravure printing ink is not simply a choice between solvent-based and water-based ink.
For flexible packaging manufacturers, ink performance is closely related to the entire printing process. PET, BOPP, CPP, PE, Nylon, paper and other substrates can have different surface properties and drying requirements. Production speed, printing width, ink coverage, drying system and downstream lamination can also affect the most suitable ink system.
For this reason, ink selection should be evaluated together with the substrate, printing machine and final converting process.
.jpg)
What Are the Main Types of Gravure Printing Ink?
For flexible packaging gravure printing, the two most commonly used ink systems are:
| Ink Type | Typical Characteristics | Production Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Solvent-Based Gravure Ink | Fast drying, low viscosity and widely used for flexible film printing. | Drying, exhaust, solvent handling, substrate compatibility and production speed should be evaluated. |
| Water-Based Gravure Ink | Uses water as a major carrier and can reduce dependence on organic solvents. | Drying capacity, substrate surface, ink formulation, production speed and final application require careful evaluation. |
Solvent-Based Gravure Ink
Solvent-based gravure ink is widely used in flexible packaging printing because it can provide fast drying and good printing performance on many non-porous film substrates when the ink system and substrate are properly matched.
Typical applications can include flexible packaging films such as PET, BOPP, CPP, Nylon and other treated film substrates.
Important production considerations include:
- Fast drying requirements during higher-speed printing
- Ink adhesion to the selected film substrate
- Drying and exhaust system capability
- Surface or reverse printing requirements
- Downstream lamination compatibility
- Solvent handling and factory operating conditions
Solvent-based ink remains an important option for many high-speed flexible packaging applications, but the exact ink formulation should always be selected according to the film, printing process and final product requirements.
Water-Based Gravure Ink
Water-based gravure ink uses water as a major carrier and is increasingly considered in applications where reducing solvent use and VOC emissions is an important production objective.
However, switching from solvent-based ink to water-based ink is not simply a direct replacement.
Because water generally requires different drying conditions, the printing machine, dryer capacity, substrate surface and production speed should be evaluated together.
Important considerations include:
- Available drying capacity
- Required production speed
- Substrate surface treatment and ink compatibility
- Ink coverage
- Printing width
- Factory energy requirements
- Final packaging or converting process
Important: Water-based ink should not automatically be assumed to be suitable for every substrate or application. The ink supplier, substrate supplier and printing equipment conditions should be evaluated together before production parameters are confirmed.
Solvent-Based vs Water-Based Gravure Ink
| Comparison | Solvent-Based | Water-Based |
|---|---|---|
| Drying | Generally faster drying | Usually requires greater attention to drying capacity |
| High-Speed Printing | Widely used in high-speed flexible packaging | Machine and dryer performance should be evaluated carefully |
| VOC Consideration | Greater solvent-management requirements | Can reduce reliance on organic solvents depending on formulation |
| Substrate | Commonly used on many flexible plastic films | Common on paper and possible for selected film applications with suitable ink, surface and drying conditions |
| Selection Priority | Speed, film compatibility, drying and downstream process | Environmental targets, substrate compatibility, drying and production requirements |
Hsing Wei's role: Hsing Wei manufactures rotogravure printing equipment and evaluates machine, drying and web-handling requirements according to the customer's printing conditions. Final ink formulation and substrate compatibility should be confirmed with the ink and material suppliers.
How to Choose Gravure Printing Ink for Different Substrates
The substrate is one of the most important factors in gravure ink selection.
Instead of selecting ink according to the material name alone, manufacturers should provide the actual substrate grade, thickness, surface treatment and final converting requirements.
| Substrate / Application | Key Ink & Process Considerations |
|---|---|
| PET / BOPP / CPP / Nylon Film | Surface treatment, adhesion, printing speed, drying and lamination requirements. |
| PE and Stretch-Sensitive Films | Ink compatibility should be considered together with film surface, tension and drying conditions. |
| Paper | Absorbency, ink transfer, drying and final printing requirements should be evaluated. |
| Laminated Flexible Packaging | Reverse printing, ink adhesion and compatibility with the downstream lamination system are important. |
For more information about printable substrates, see What Materials Can Be Printed Using a Rotogravure Printing Machine? and What Films Are Suitable for Rotogravure Printing Machines?.
Surface Printing vs Reverse Printing
Flexible packaging can use either surface printing or reverse printing depending on the final packaging structure.
In reverse printing, the printed ink layer may later be laminated behind another film layer. This means the ink system must be evaluated not only for appearance and adhesion during printing, but also for compatibility with the downstream lamination process.
Customers should therefore confirm:
- Surface or reverse printing
- Substrate structure
- Ink supplier recommendation
- Lamination requirements
- Final packaging application
How Production Speed and Drying Affect Gravure Ink Selection
Ink selection and machine speed cannot be evaluated separately.
As printing speed increases, the available drying time decreases. The printing machine therefore needs sufficient drying capability for the selected ink system, substrate and ink coverage.
Before defining a high-speed printing project, manufacturers should evaluate:
- Ink system
- Target printing speed
- Substrate type and width
- Number of colors
- Ink coverage
- Dryer configuration
- Factory ventilation and operating conditions
The highest machine speed is not automatically the correct production speed for every ink and substrate combination.
What About Gravure Ink Viscosity?
Gravure printing typically uses relatively low-viscosity ink to support ink transfer from the engraved gravure cylinder during production.
However, the correct operating viscosity should not be generalized into one fixed value. It depends on the ink formulation, substrate, printing speed, cylinder engraving, temperature and production conditions.
For this reason, viscosity specifications and adjustment methods should be confirmed with the ink supplier according to the actual printing application.
Food Packaging and Ink Selection
For food packaging and other regulated applications, ink selection should be based on the final packaging structure, printing side, barrier layers, intended use and applicable market requirements.
Neither solvent-based nor water-based ink should automatically be considered suitable for a food-contact application based only on the carrier system.
Customers should confirm the appropriate ink formulation and regulatory requirements with their ink supplier and relevant packaging specialists for the target market.
What Information Should You Provide Before Selecting a Gravure Printing Machine?
Hsing Wei manufactures rotogravure printing equipment rather than selecting a universal ink formula for every application. To evaluate a suitable machine configuration, customers should provide as much production information as possible.
- Printing substrate and thickness
- Surface or reverse printing
- Selected or planned ink system
- Printing width
- Number of colors
- Target production speed
- Typical ink coverage
- Final packaging application
- Downstream lamination or converting process
This information helps Hsing Wei evaluate machine speed, drying, web handling and other production requirements according to the actual printing project.
Gravure Printing Ink: Key Takeaways
- Solvent-based and water-based inks are the two main gravure ink systems.
- Solvent-based inks are widely used for high-speed flexible film printing.
- Water-based inks can reduce reliance on organic solvents but may require different drying conditions.
- Ink selection depends on substrate, surface treatment, printing speed, drying, printing structure and downstream converting.
- Surface printing and reverse printing may require different ink and lamination considerations.
- Food packaging ink suitability should be confirmed according to the final packaging structure and applicable requirements.
- The ink system and printing machine should be evaluated as part of one complete production process.
Discuss Your Gravure Printing Requirements with Hsing Wei
If you are planning a flexible packaging gravure printing project, provide your substrate, ink system, printing width, number of colors, target speed and final application to Hsing Wei.
Our engineering team can evaluate the printing machine and drying requirements according to your actual production conditions.
Discuss Your Gravure Printing Project →Related Knowledge
- What Materials Can Be Printed Using a Rotogravure Printing Machine?
- What Films Are Suitable for Rotogravure Printing Machines?
- HW-CS Rotogravure Printing Machine
- ROTO Standard Rotogravure Printing Machine
- HWA Rotogravure Printing Machine
- HWAI Rotogravure Printing Machine
- Engineering Expertise and Innovation Since 1979
- Complete After-Sales Service and Global Technical Support
About Hsing Wei Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
Founded in 1979, Hsing Wei Machine Industry Co., Ltd. is a Taiwan-based manufacturer of rotogravure printing machines, laminating machines, slitting machines and proofing machines. With more than 1,300 installations across over 70 countries, Hsing Wei provides flexible packaging manufacturers with machine engineering, customization, quality assurance and global after-sales support.
Reviewed by Hsing Wei Machine Industry Co., Ltd. - Founded in 1979, Hsing Wei specializes in rotogravure printing machines and flexible packaging converting equipment, with more than 1,300 installations across 70+ countries worldwide.
Related Machine
Rotogravure Printing Machine
Rotogravure Printing Machine
Laminating Machine
Slitting Machine
Related Video
