Frequently Asked Questions
Technical Questions about Flexography and Flexible Packaging
More General FAQs
Answers
Q1: What is Toluene base ink?
A1: Toluene base ink not only generates undesirable smells but when used for consumer packaging can to a certain extent cause toxicity in food and present a hazard to the health. In Europe, converters have not used Toluene base ink in their package printing for 30 years. In the United States, there has been a restriction on the amount of Toluene permissible both in packaging itself and in the atmosphere surrounding work areas.
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Q2: What kind of ink does TPN FlexPak use in flexography printing?
A2: We use only Non-Toluene base ink, which creates very minimal odor and solvent retention in packaging.
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Q3: What are the guidelines for designing artwork for flexography printing?
A3: We have prepared guidelines to help you in the creation of artwork for flexography printing. Please download our Graphic Design for Flexography presentation (Power Point, 5 MB).
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Q4: What is barrier property?
A4: Barrier property is the preventive characteristics of the polymer. It mainly refers to the transmission rate of moisture and oxygen through the packaging. Examples of these properties include WVTR (Water Vapor Transmission Rate) and GTR (Gas Transmission Rate).
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Q5: What applications of flexible packaging would require low barrier properties?
A5: Products requiring low barrier properties include bakery goods, fresh produce, sanitary products, disposable diapers, shrink over wrap for food and beverages, seed, lawn and garden, and similar products.
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Q6: What applications of flexible packaging would require medium barrier properties?
A6: Products requiring medium barrier properties include snack foods, instant noodles, biscuits & crackers, custard cake and other baked goods with short shelf-lives.
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Q7: What applications of flexible packaging would require high barrier properties?
A7: Products requiring high barrier properties include fresh meats, liquids, frozen food, cheese, coffee, candy, pet food, personal and medical care items.
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Q8: What are the advantages of flexography printing?
A8: With new technology breakthroughs, flexography printing can give superb print quality, excellent registration, effective cost saving, and fast turn-around time. It allows for printing on the widest range of substrates using toluene-free inks, making it excellent for food and hygienic packaging. These advantages help our customers to retain their competitiveness in the market by launching products in the shortest time possible, or changing packaging design more frequently, and all within their budget.
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Q9: Why is there an increasing global demand for flexible packaging?
A9: Global distribution of flexible & plastic packaging increased by 6 percent in 2001, while metal and glass & others decreased by 4 percent and 2 percent respectively (Source: WPO 1998 / Man Roland 1999 / Nestle 2001). Evidently, flexible packaging allows for greater product differentiation compared to more conventional packages such as cans or bottles. It permits greater variety of shape and texture, as well as more colorful and better graphic quality. For product sellers, it means lower production costs through lowered storage space / rent requirements and transportation costs. Consumers perceive flexible packages to be more intelligent and convenient.
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Q10: What should one think about when considering package printing?
A10: A well-printed package does not necessarily cost more than a poorly printed one, but the quality of printing is closely related to successful promotion of the product.
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Q11: What needs to be considered when choosing a package printer?
A11: Every printing process can and does give excellent printing as well as poor printing. The best process gives the best results for the money, with quality appropriate for the package.
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Q12: How does packaging affect your products and marketing strategy?
A12: Package design comes from brand. It's been seen historically that a single brand is capable of so totally dominating the consumer's perception of a product category that the brand name comes to be used generically for the product category. Good packaging design, together with appropriate brand identification on the package, and the right mixes of advertising and promotion, are crucial to success in product launching.
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Q13: How does packaging serve the products?
A13: Packaging must first protect the contents. For sellers, it must promote and sell the product. For buyers, it must be highly functional, informative and convenient to use.
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