Impact Factors of Durable Print and Measures to Enhance It
Printing has become an integral part of everyday life, wherever documents or graphics need to be reproduced, they are fundamental as a primary source of providing visual information. Printing is used widely in marketing and advertising, where high definition and clarity of printed images and texts are essential. From promotional merchandise materials to packaging, from banners to books, from signs to apparel, durable printing solutions are required to enhance the shelf-life as well as promote image-branding.
However, durability of printed materials becomes challenging with its color fading, smudging and blemishing over time. Durable print is considered as optimum when the printed image is able to hold on to its texture, gloss and vibrancy much longer than the printed material’s life expectancy. There are numerous reasons why a printed product may not have the desired durability; therefore this essay discusses some of the factors that impact the durability of a printed product, as well as solutions and measures to enhance its durability.
Ink Technology
Selection of the right ink plays a significant role in determining the durability of a printed product. The wrong choice of ink can cause smears, fading and incompatibility with other printed elements, such as varnish, setting inks and toners. The stability of an ink is determined by its physical and chemical properties, such as the pigment content, solvent and binders used. Inks with higher pigment content are better for providing a higher degree of durability; some of the newer ink technologies also use lightfastness dyes with improved quality. Avoiding excessive amounts of alcohol, which can corrode the pigments, can also positively affect the durability of prints.
Paper
Coated papers, that are specially designed for extra-durable printing, can be used to add a superior feel to a printed product. Paper selection is another important factor in creating durable prints, as paper plays a significant role in influencing the print life. Choice of the right quality paper can ensure a greater degree of print durability, longevity and consistency with less risk of smudging or fading.
Print Process
The selection of the right print process also affects the print outcome, with appropriate process selections guaranteeing better results. Many factors govern a successful print process, and this includes the right mode of application, equipment and techniques while running the printing jobs. The press substrates, inks, coatings, under- and over-lays, curing and lamination techniques, etc. all play an important role in the choice of the best process for durable print. Process chemistry can also present difficulties when selecting the most suited set of printable parameters.
Lamination
The use of laminates and other protective coatings helps to protect the prints for longer, resulting in better durability. Lamination, being an extra step that is attached to the printed material, helps in arresting the fading of colors, UV damage and dents/scratches. To achieve the desired level of durability and transparency, a combination of lamination options can be chosen for intense protection.
Storage Conditions
Another fac tor that affects print quality is the storage conditions of its packaging materials. Inks and substrates, along with their packaging materials, need to be stored properly under stable and ideal conditions of temperature and humidity, to ensure long-term shelf-life of the prints. High quality archival storage is also recommended in order to prevent any dust or dirt accumulation, which can be damaging to the prints.
Conclusion
To ensure the optimum level of durability for printed material, it is important to take various precautionary steps, such as taking appropriate selection of ink and substrate, as well as a suitable process used to achieve the best outcome. To bring greater protection for prints and prolong their life, application of laminates and coatings should be done appropriately, as well as storing materials in appropriate conditions. Taking into consideration these few suggestions would help in creating the most durable print without sacrificing its quality.
