Water-Based Flexographic Ink and Extenders
A system of water-based pigment concentrates for printing on cardboard, corrugated board, paper, and film. Four specialized extenders for different substrates and applications. Free of organic solvents. Own dosing station.
How the System Works
💧 Pigment concentrate + extender = ready-to-use ink. The system consists of two components — a pigment concentrate and an extender. The concentrate provides the color; the extender provides the required viscosity, adhesion, and film formation for the specific substrate. Water is added to fine-tune viscosity on press. Color intensity is adjusted using the extender, not water.
How the System Works
💧 Pigment concentrate + extender = ready-to-use ink. The system consists of two components — a pigment concentrate and an extender. The concentrate provides the color; the extender provides the required viscosity, adhesion, and film formation for the specific substrate. Water is added to fine-tune viscosity on press. Color intensity is adjusted using the extender, not water.
Technical Characteristics
System Properties
Free of organic solvents
— safe to work with, no special ventilation required
High lightfastness
— Full Tone 7-8 (black and blue), 4-7 (other colors)
pH 8.2–9.0
— stable alkaline system in storage
Working viscosity
20–35 sec DIN4
Press Operating Rules
Keep the anilox roll moving continuously
— prevents drying on the roll
Dilute with water only
— and only at temperatures above 15°C
Color intensity
— adjust with extender, not water
Wash rolls and plates before the ink dries
Applications
📦
Corrugated Board
Post-print and pre-print — boxes, trays, transport packaging
🎁
Packaging Paper and Film
Roll applications — wraps, packaging materials
🥛
Food Packaging
Outer side only, subject to GMP and a barrier substrate
🗃️
Board and Paper
Coated and uncoated board, paper bags
🥤
Cups and Containers
PE-coated board for disposable cups and food containers
🏷️
Paper Labels
Self-adhesive paper labels and tags
Extenders — Choose Based on Your Substrate:
Cups
For disposable cups and food containers made of PE-coated board. Provides the necessary adhesion and film flexibility on the polyethylene coating.
Corrugated Board
For post-print on corrugated board. Even coverage on the rough corrugated surface, stable ink transfer in large-format flexo printing.
Film
For printing on film substrates. Provides adhesion of the water-based ink on synthetic materials.
Paper and Wraps
For roll applications — packaging paper, wraps, paper bags.
Q&A
How does water-based flexo ink differ from UV flexo?
Water-based ink dries through water evaporation and absorption into the substrate — ideal for cardboard, corrugated board, and paper. UV ink cures instantly under an ultraviolet lamp and is better suited to synthetic substrates. Water-based ink contains no organic solvents, is more environmentally friendly, and requires no special ventilation. However, for films and foil, UV systems provide better adhesion and durability.
How do I properly adjust viscosity?
To reduce viscosity to working level, add water in small portions with continuous stirring. Important: do not add water if the ink temperature is below 15°C. To adjust color intensity, use the extender, not water. Excess water reduces pigment concentration and adhesive properties. Let fresh ink circulate on press before the first viscosity adjustment.
Can equipment be washed with plain water after water-based flexo ink?
Yes, water-based flexo ink washes off with water — this is one of the main advantages of the system compared to UV or solvent-based inks. It is important to wash rolls, anilox, plates, and the circulation system before the ink dries — once dried, it polymerizes and becomes much harder to remove. If the ink has already dried on the equipment, use an alkaline or specialized cleaning agent. There is a recommended wash solution for each extender — please check with our manager when ordering.