It’s vital for enterprises to provide packaged products with un-smudged and readable instructions. Labels are crucial for all products, whether for safety, food, electrical, or beauty. If business owners strive to create products with sharp detailing and clearly defined images, they should consider ink testing a crucial part of their QA process. Ink can behave differently depending on the surface it’s applied to. It is the reason that there are a variety of ink testing solutions available out there. This article specifies different ink test techniques and their benefits.
Popular Ink Testing Methods
The following are two popular ink testing methods that can help during the QA process:
· Abrasion Testing
Abrasion testing involves determining how the ink will fare against scuffing or rubbing. This specific ink test method can help determine whether packaging print and instructions will remain intact in transit or throughout the shelf life. Wash and abrasion testing machines put the packaging inks through their paces and give the needed data.
· Viscosity Testing
The ink viscosity can affect everything from how quickly ink dries on the plate to how well it transfers to the packaging’s surface. In addition, it can have consequences concerning longevity. This specific ink-testing method lets one figure out how the ink will behave. Further, the viscosity ink testing method comprises different techniques, including cup viscosity testing and rotational viscosity testing.
Benefits of Ink Testing
Below-given are the benefits of different ink test methods:
· Increase Product Safety
One significant benefit of ink testing is that product safety is enhanced. Product safety information like electrical ratings, warnings, ingredients, model numbers, and usage instructions is printed on labels. If this information is unavailable on the product packaging, it can create liability for the manufacturers. An ink testing method can ensure that the packaging label is durable and that due diligence is performed.
· Compliance with Standards
Complying with national and international packaging standards is crucial for manufacturers. The United States has high standards when it comes to product labeling. Therefore, manufacturers must use ink for labels that don’t fade away. The durability of the product label and, thus, compliance with packaging standards can be proven by performing different ink resting methods.
· Enhances Product Value
Another benefit of ink testing that can’t be overlooked is that it boosts product value. A label specifying all necessary details related to the product adds greater value to the product. A quality, durable label is viewed as a mark of quality concerning products. An ink testing method ensures that the product’s label lasts a long time, withstanding the rigors of the environment where it will be used.
Conclusion
Cleanliness is crucial when an enterprise tests the inks on the products’ labels. It can be challenging to judge the surface tension or adhesion when the surface on which the ink is being tested is not dust or debris free. Particle contamination can end up causing dotting in the ink application. In addition, it’s essential to analyze ink for its suitability in different settings. Different ink testing methods can be used depending on the industry, like medical packaging supplies, food and beverage products, beauty products, etc.
