A customer recently approached us with a challenge: they needed a way to double production efficiency while still ensuring print quality and durability.

Efficiency and durability are critical for manufacturers printing on glass and ceramic substrates. Decorative and industrial products in industries such as cosmetics, food packaging, and medical applications require inks that not only look good but also withstand rigorous use and cleaning processes.

Our goal for the customer was clear: faster production and strong prints with a high-gloss finish without compromising chemical and dishwasher resistance.

 

The Challenge

The customer’s previous ink system created several production bottlenecks. Their previous ink required 30 minutes of curing time at 320°F which slowed overall throughput and increased energy consumption. In addition to long curing cycles, the ink required extensive surface preparation, including cleaning and priming, to ensure adhesion to the substrate. This additional preparation added labor, time and complexity to their production workflow – any manufacturer’s nightmare.

The customer also wanted to improve the visual and functional performance of the print, specifically:

  • Higher gloss finish
  • Greater ink opacity
  • Stronger dishwasher resistance
  • Improved chemical resistance

They needed an ink that could deliver these improvements while also making their operation more efficient.

 

Our Solution

After evaluating the customer’s current situation and their production goals, our technical team recommended the Natron® MG Series ink paired with the i260X hardener.

The MG Series is a high-performance printing ink for glass, designed for demanding consumer, packaging, medical, and industrial applications where durability, chemical resistance, and appearance are critical.

To optimize the ink for each printing method, you will need one of the following solvents:

 

The Results

One of the most immediate benefits the customer experienced was a dramatic improvement in production speed. With the MG Series solution, the customer was able to achieve full curing in just 10 minutes at 280°F. This change resulted in a 66% increase in production throughput allowing the customer to move products through their printing line much faster.

By lowering the curing time by 66% and lowering the temperature by 12.5%, the customer reduced their energy consumption by approximately 70% – both an economical advantage and a sustainability-forward solution.

The MG Series also has an improved ink pot life by approximately 10%. Longer pot life means fewer interruptions to mix new ink batches. This also contributes to a smoother and therefore, faster production flow.

By eliminating surface preparation steps, such as cleaning the glass and ceramic surfaces to apply primers before printing, the customer was able to decrease their labor requirements. The MG Series bonds expertly to glass, metals, coated metals, and ceramics without the need for primers allowing the customer to simplify their workflow and reduce preparation time.

Beyond efficiency gains, the MG Series delivered the performance improvements that the customer was seeking: higher gloss finishes, improved opacity, excellent dishwasher resistance, and strong chemical resistance. The MG Series has undergone testing against ethanol, acetone, perfume and other chemical agents as well as 700 commercial dishwasher cycles to ensure resistance.

Although this customer’s primary focus was printing on glass and ceramic, the MG Series ink is also well suited to printing on metals and coated metals. Its versatility gives manufacturers the flexibility to use a single high-performance ink across multiple product lines and materials. This makes the MG Series ink an excellent choice for manufacturers in a wide range of industries including:

  • Cosmetic packaging
  • Medical applications
  • Food packaging
  • Children’s toys
  • Decorative consumer products

By switching to the MG Series ink, the customer achieved measurable improvements which resulted in faster production, lower energy costs and stronger print performance. MG Series continues to help printers streamline production while delivering the high quality results that the customers expect.

Order the Natron® MG Series here: https://bostonindustrialsolutions.com/pad-printing-ink/mg-series-pad-printing-ink/ or contact our team at +1 (781) 281-2558 to place an order.