Natron® EK Series Ink

Natron® EK Series Ink for Printing on Plastic

The Natron® EK Series ink is an all-purpose 1- or 2-component ink for pad printing on plastic. This easy-to-process ink adheres to almost all plastic materials available on the market as a 1-component ink. It is one of our special formulations of AI-selected copolymer resins for printing on plastics.

This versatile ink is excellent for printing on acrylics (Perspex, Plexiglas), polystyrene, ABS, CAB, polycarbonates, vinyl, polyester foil, polyethylene, polypropylene (pre-treated), soft and hard PVC, wood, polyurethane, and more.

As a two-component ink, the EK series ink for printing on plastic has exceptional abrasion resistance and an extended pot life of 9 hours. Use EK Series ink where outdoor exposure and gloss are a priority.

It has excellent wear and tear resistance and adheres even in harsh conditions making it perfect for printing on plastic panels and signs. It is great for printing on rigid polystyrene containers. Due to the ink’s quick-drying characteristics, it is great for use in high-speed automatic printing machines. Because the ink dries so quickly, printed containers do not stick together when stacked. The ink has excellent scratch resistance.

There are 23 standard colors. Additionally, we offer 24-hour turnaround custom color matching services for any color you request. To create new shades, you can mix any two or more colors to create over 1,600 PMS colors. Mixing the colors together does not affect the ink adhesion.

Available Sizes

1.0Kg (2.2lbs)

Hardener

i-300x

Solvents

TMF (Fast)

STB

TDG

Have questions?

Available Colors

Substrates

Plastics

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Features

High gloss prints

This plastic pad printing ink features high opacity and gloss printing ink film.

Vacuum molding resistance

The Natron EK Series prints perfectly on plastic substrates. It is formulated for applications like stretching and vacuum molding.

Excellent adhesion on 97% of plastic materials

After curing completely, the EK series pad printing ink film has great adhesion to almost all plastic substrates, which makes it strong against scratches. The addition of hardener increases its resistance to solvents.

Perfect for outdoor exposure

Formulated with special co-polymers to withstand weather elements – this makes this ink perfect for printing on outdoor signs and other plastic applications.

Fade resistant colors

The Natron EK series is designed for pad printing and high-speed printing on plastics that require inks with high opacity and fade resistance. This ink is formulated with nontoxic, free from heavy metals, fade resistant pigments. This ink does not fade even after exposure to the outdoor elements.

Food Packaging, medical, and toy safe

The EK Series ink is perfect for printing on food packaging, toys, and medical devices and surfaces.

The foundation for printing plastics!

Print on almost all plastic materials on the market today as a one-component ink.

Applications

EK Series Mixing and Printing instructions

The only way to mix printing ink is by weight, whether you’re adding hardeners, solvents, or mixing different colors to make a new color.

To use the ink as one component, add the solvent to the ink. Mixing ratio: 5–35% of the ink’s weight, depending on the color. Solvent is added to the ink to adjust the ink’s viscosity. The choice of solvent and the amount added are highly dependent on the printing environment and the printing speed. About 98% of all printing applications, you can print without using any hardener. In the very rare occasions, that you might need to use the hardener, add 5% of the i-300x hardener to the ink.

Using the ink as a two-component ink

A two-component ink has two components: the solvent and the hardener. This ink uses the i-300X hardener. Two component inks have a pot life of 8 hours.
Pour the printing ink into a mixing container and note the weight.
Add the hardener to the ink. The mixing ratio is 10 parts ink to 0.5-part hardener, i.e., 5% of the ink’s weight. Mix the ink and the hardener together.
The solvent, which should be between 5% and 35% of the ink’s weight, should then be added to the ink-hardener mixture.

Printing Parameters: Pad Printing

Printing Plates (clichés) – Hard goods/ rubber substrates
Use any commercially available clichés that are made of ceramic, photopolymer, laser, or steel plates. The recommended cliché depth is 20 μm for standard prints and 35μm for half tones.
Printing pads
Use silicone printing pads. The ink works regardless of the hardness (durometer) of the pad.
Printing machines
The EK Series ink for plastics is suitable for both closed-cup and open-ink well machines. It is excellent for high-speed printing applications. Use the appropriate thinner for the correct type of machine. For open ink-well, use slower pad printing ink solvents (thinners).

Compliance, Certifications and Resources

Natron® Ink Catalog

Ink application chart

EK Ink Technical data

EK Series Color Chart

RoHS

CPSIA

Mixing instructions

Prop 65 compliance

EK Series and the Environment

The EK Series pad printing ink is non-toxic ink that is made with pigments that don’t fade and don’t contain any heavy metals. Additionally, it is eco-sustainable, meaning that it does not contain:

Alogens
Animal origin ingredients
Azo dyes
Bisphenol A (BPA)
Formaldehyde
G-B ester
Latex
Melamine
PAH
Persistent organic pollutants
Phthalates

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Natron® EK Series ink used for?

Natron® EK Series ink is an all-purpose 1- or 2-component pad printing ink designed primarily for printing on plastic materials. It provides excellent adhesion, durability, and fast drying for a wide range of plastic printing applications.

What types of plastic can Natron® EK Series ink print on?

Natron® EK Series ink adheres to many common plastic materials, including acrylics (Perspex and Plexiglas), polystyrene, ABS, CAB, polycarbonate, vinyl, polyester foil, polyethylene, polypropylene (pre-treated), soft and hard PVC, as well as wood, polyurethane, and other substrates.

Can Natron® EK Series ink be used as a 1-component or 2-component ink?

Yes. Natron® EK Series ink can be used as either a 1-component or 2-component ink. As a 1-component ink, it provides excellent adhesion to most plastic materials. When used as a 2-component system with hardener, it provides enhanced durability and abrasion resistance when printing on plastic.

Is Natron® EK Series ink suitable for outdoor applications?

Yes. Natron® EK Series ink is an excellent choice for applications where outdoor exposure, gloss, and long-term durability are important. It offers strong wear and tear resistance and reliable adhesion under demanding conditions.

Is Natron® EK Series ink suitable for printing plastic signs and panels?

Yes. Its excellent adhesion, scratch resistance, and durability make Natron® EK Series ink ideal for printing on plastic panels, signs, and rigid polystyrene containers.

Is Natron® EK Series ink suitable for high-speed automatic printing?

Yes. Natron® EK Series ink features fast-drying properties, making it well suited for high-speed automatic pad printing machines. Its quick drying also helps prevent printed containers from sticking together when stacked.

How many colors are available?

Natron® EK Series ink is available in 23 standard colors, with 24-hour custom color matching available for requested colors.

Can Natron® EK Series ink colors be mixed together?

Yes. Two or more colors can be mixed to create more than 1,600 PMS color shades. Mixing colors does not negatively affect the ink’s adhesion to the substrate.

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