Ink Type
Packaging Inks
Kao produces inks for various packaging substrates, including paperboard, plastics, thin films, metals and glass.
Common Applications
Our inkjet and flexo inks are widely used for primary and secondary packaging for e-commerce, food, beverage, pharmaceuticals, and other consumer or industrial products. Applications include marking and coding with lot information, expiration dates, and 2d codes. Our process and spot-colour formulations produce vibrant results for any package design.
Inks for Printing Cardboard and Paper Packaging
Our process-colour, spot colour and black inks produce optimal results for both high-volume flexo production or shorter runs using thermal inkjet or piezo inkjet systems on coated and uncoated paperboard stock. There are numerous ink possibilities for printing high-quality package designs and marking and coding, depending on the cardboard material and intended results.
For Non-Porous Paperboard |
For Porous Paperboard |
Inkjet Technology
Flexo Printing
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Inkjet Technology
Flexo Printing
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Request Packaging Inks for Cardboard and Paper
Inks for Flexible Packaging, Plastics, and Shrink Sleeves
Kao produces a range of inks suitable for printing four-colour messaging and marking and coding on flexible packaging. More companies turn to flexible packaging because it reduces weight and often uses fewer resources than conventional packaging. Also, consumers increasingly prefer this packaging.
Shrink sleeves, and other thin films, are another fast-growing packaging method that offers brands a 360-degree printing palette. Depending on the packaging requirements, there are several options for both digital and flexo printing.
Inkjet Inks for Flexible Packaging |
Flexo Inks for Flexible Packaging |
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Request Inks for Flexible Packaging, Plastics, and Shrink Sleeves
Inkjet Inks for Metal Tins and Cans
Kao produces inks for TIJ, Piezo, and CIJ printing systems used to mark and code cans with expiration dates and lot codes. More brands are turning direct-to-object methods for package design printing, which offers more opportunities for shorter production runs and mass customisation.
- Solvent-based
- UV-curable
- LED-Curable
- Nanodispersion water-based (Food grade*)
- EB-Curable (Food grade*)
- Low-migration UV/LED (Food grade*)
Request Packaging Inks for Metal Tins and Cans
Benefits for Corrugated Substrates
Water-based inks – These cost-effective inks offer superior dry time and richer blacks. The water-based pigment inks have better lightfastness and high durability. Our eco-friendly nanodispersion water-based pigment ink has the added advantage of printing on non-porous materials.
Curable inks – Our UV, LED, and EB curable inks for non-porous paperboard materials deliver vibrant colours for packaging design. These rapid-curing inks are durable and resistant to chemicals and environmental exposure. The EB-curable and low migration UV/LED curable inks may be suitable for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs), including foods, pharmaceuticals, and health and beauty products.
Learn more about: UV Curable | LED Curable | EB Curable
Solvent-based inks – These fast-drying inks with superior adhesion print richer blacks, have high durability, and are lightfast and water fast.
Oil-based and bio-based MOF inks – Both our oil-based inks and our mineral-oil-free alternative offer high absorption, fast-drying, and high-contrast text and images.
Sustainable Inkjet Inks and Flexo Inks
Kao strives for production and manufacturing methods that reduce the impact on the environment, including formulation of special inks that contribute to increased sustainability.
LUNAJET – This nanodispersion water-based inkjet ink is eco-friendly and specifically designed for printing on flexible packaging, thin films, and other non-porous materials.
Bio-based Mineral-Oil-Free – This eco-friendly inkjet MOF ink is an alternative to conventional oil-based inkjet inks. The ink offers high performance on porous substrates such as corrugated cardboard and other paperboard materials.
OK COMPOST – We offer water-based and solvent-based flexo inks that are certified for industrial composting. Both of these inks are suitable for printing on compostable and biodegradable films.
Read more about our Eco-friendly inks
Custom Formulations Available
Please browse our standard inks. If you’re unsure which ink is best for your application, please send us a sample of your substrate. An ink technician will promptly and thoroughly evaluate your needs and make an ink recommendation to match the printhead model and substrate. If one of our standard inks doesn’t meet your needs, our experienced chemists will customise one that will meet your requirements and specifications.