Why does an industrial mark fade?
A mark may lose readability minutes after printing or after several days in transport. Causes include a non-porous substrate, condensation, insufficient drying time, incompatible ink, repeated rubbing or cleaning with a solvent. An ink described as resistant will not deliver the right result if it is used on the wrong material or with unsuitable settings.
Start by describing the environment: substrate, speed, temperature, time before handling, humidity, cleaning products and abrasion level.
Key criteria for a resistant ink
Substrate. Ink for cardboard behaves differently on glass, painted metal, PE or a synthetic label. Porous substrates absorb ink; glossy surfaces require a formulation that adheres at the surface.
Drying time. On a fast line, products may be handled immediately. Confirm that the ink reaches the required resistance within the available distance between printhead and the next operation.
Rubbing type. A stacked carton, bottle in a crate, machined metal part and label touching another pack do not experience the same abrasion. The test must reproduce the real movement, with or without moisture.
Chemicals. Oil, grease, detergents, alcohol and solvents can dissolve or damage a mark. This requirement must be known before selecting the ink.
Which technology for which ink?
CIJ enables ink selection for non-porous surfaces such as glass, plastic and metal. The
IQJET maintains consistent print quality by controlling ink temperature and viscosity, with a hermetic system that limits drying during stops.
On cardboard and wood, large-format inkjet produces readable marks without contact. The
X72 and
ResMark 5000 address logistics marking with ink selected for porosity and required durability.
For film or labels, durability comes from the TTO-ribbon-substrate combination. A resin ribbon such as ALLEN quality E is suitable when the mark must resist rubbing and moisture better than a standard wax solution. The
NG2+ and
53K provide consistent transfer on demanding substrates.
Recommended test protocol
Print on the actual substrates at your real speed, temperature and packaging conditions. Define the handling delay, then perform dry and wet rubbing tests with constant pressure. Add chemicals, cold, condensation or cleaning when relevant. Finally, check barcode or 2D-code readability after each stage.
Conclusion
A rub-resistant mark requires a complete system: substrate, ink or ribbon, printhead, settings and handling conditions. Validate the solution with a representative test rather than a visual check alone.
ALLEN FRANCE, distribuidor oficial de Allen Coding y Diagraph desde 1984, acompaña a los industriales en sus proyectos de marcaje y trazabilidad. Nuestros técnicos se encargan de la instalación, la formación y el mantenimiento de sus equipos en toda Francia, con stock permanente de consumibles y repuestos. Contacte con nuestros expertos para un presupuesto gratuito y una demostración sobre sus propios productos.
