Top 4 Factors for Printing Smoothly on Polyethylene

- Publication date: 2022-01-10 - Original article: [https://www.gznovelpackaging.com/blog/top-4-factors-about-how-to-print-on-polyethylene-smoothly.html](https://www.gznovelpackaging.com/blog/top-4-factors-about-how-to-print-on-polyethylene-smoothly.html) - Main image: From bottles and bags to toys, plastic is used everywhere. The most common type of plastic is polyethylene, which is widely used in the packaging sector to contain various beverages and food products because of its durability and light weight. You have probably seen a variety of designs, shapes, and text printed on plastic bags. If you are interested in learning how to print on polyethylene, continue reading to the end. In this article, I will discuss the top four factors for printing smoothly on polyethylene. Common uses of PE film in packaging Polyethylene, or PE, is an extremely versatile material. PE films are commonly used in packaging to make a variety of containers and bags for storing food and non-food items, including shampoo bottles, oil bottles, grocery bags, trash bags, ziplock bags, flat poly bags, and more. They are also used to store food waste. In addition, they serve as protective barriers in applications such as concrete and mortar work, pest control, waterproofing, painting, extermination, and renovation. What is a PE film? PE film, short for polyethylene film, is a thin plastic sheet often supplied in rolls. The film offers excellent tape adhesion and durability. It is also extremely lightweight. Polyethylene is an important member of the polyolefin resin family. PE films are produced through the polymerization of ethylene, a hydrocarbon obtained from natural gas and petroleum. Now that you know what PE film is, let us discuss the advantages of the three types of PE film. The advantages of 3 types of PE films and their applications in packaging There are three types of polyethylene used in the packaging industry: high-density, medium-density, and low-density PE films. Low-density PE film Low-density polyethylene film is a transparent, semi-rigid polymer. The film is made using a free-radical polymerization method at high pressures, often 1000–3000 bar, and temperatures ranging from 80 to 300 degrees Celsius. It offers good temperature resistance up to 80 degrees Celsius. In addition, low-density PE film has very low water absorption. Thanks to its low cost and excellent flexibility, it is an excellent choice for food, clothing, and cosmetics packaging. Medium-density PE film Medium-density PE film is the next type of PE film. It is used to make sheath materials because of its good shock resistance, drop resistance, durability, and low cost. High-density PE film High-density PE films offer low cost, increased flexibility, reduced water absorption, good electrical insulation, and strong resistance to a range of solvents. Because of these advantages, they are used to make various trays, bottles, cans, drums, garbage bags, lined bags, and other containers. The reasons why printing on packages made of PE film is challenging and common printing problems Printing on polyethylene has always been challenging because of various factors, such as surface wetting tension, the coefficient of friction, and many others. Polyethylene films are made through polymerization, and the process may result in structural abnormalities such as bubble instability, variations in melt temperature, and an unstable frost line, to name a few. As a result, printing on PE films can be extremely difficult. The four PE film factors that affect printing If you are interested in learning how to print on polyethylene, you need to consider certain factors that can affect print quality when printing on PE films. Let us discuss them. 1. Evenness and smoothness The evenness and smoothness of the material are very important for achieving high-quality printing on the surface of PE films. An uneven texture can result in poor print quality. 2. Grain size and stiffness Grain size and stiffness also affect printing. A smaller grain size provides better print quality than a PE film with a larger grain size and greater stiffness. 3. Surface wetting tension Surface wetting tension affects the wettability of a surface. Lower surface tension within a liquid results in greater wettability. Therefore, surface wetting tension plays a significant role in determining print quality. 4. Coefficient of friction The last factor you should consider when printing on PE film is the coefficient of friction. Check the coefficient of friction of the PE film before printing. Now that you know the factors that affect the print quality of PE films, you should be better positioned to answer the question, “How do you print on polyethylene?” Novel PE film for printing and its advantages Printing on polyethylene becomes easier when Novel is your first choice. Novel PE film for printing provides users with several key advantages, including: Appropriate C.O.F Good heat-sealing ability Excellent printability Broad spectrum of applications Wide range of sizes and designs Conclusion Novel is a trustworthy packaging film manufacturer and supplier in China. We are committed to making the world a better place to live with our sustainable, high-quality packaging materials. With more than 27 years of experience, we know how to print on polyethylene. To purchase premium-quality printed PE film, feel free to contact us.