When developing a flexographic ink for shrink sleeve applications, several critical factors need to be considered. Through the testing outlined in this paper, we have demonstrated the importance of the intrinsic mechanical properties of the UV-cured ink on shrink performance. Specifically, selection of an ink formulation with a low Young's modulus is of utmost importance in designing an ink with excellent shrink characteristics. This is because the ink must be able to resist a rapid reduction in surface area without buckling and cracking during the shrinking process. Having a low modulus permits the ink to bend and compress as required to produce an unruptured print layer on the PETG film substrate. Keeping this concept in mind allows formulators to select materials from a broad range of monomer and oligomer combinations so that other performance requirements (beyond shrink) can be met. The potential to use a wide variety of raw materials opens up the possibility of satisfying other performance objectives such as regulatory compliance, cost constraints, etc. Ultimately, this gives the UV-cured ink technology for shrink sleeves the latitude needed for growth and expansion into new end-use applications.
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