Silkscreen Ink and Offset Ink Each Have Their Own Advantages

The main difference between silkscreen ink and offset ink lies in their respective applications. Offset ink is primarily used for paper printing, notable for its self-drying feature, resulting in a relatively thin ink layer. On the other hand, silkscreen ink is applied using a silk screen, resulting in a thicker ink layer. It offers not only self-drying properties but also infrared and ultraviolet curing. Due to the thicker ink layer applied, the curing time is longer.

Characteristics of Silkscreen Printing:

1. Thick ink layer: Pros include vibrant colors, a sense of fullness, and strong three-dimensional effects, suitable for large area solid colors, texts, and other patterns. However, it consumes more ink, approximately three times thicker than offset printing. The curing process is slow, and the ink film shrinks significantly, which can lead to disc shrinkage and even bending, causing quality issues.

2. Low precision: Limited by the screen printing process and raw materials, the image precision of screen printing is typically around 80-120 lines per inch, with a reproducible range of halftone dots between 10% to 85%. Consequently, the product lacks delicacy and depth.

3. Low printing pressure: Screen printing is soft and elastic, requiring low printing pressure, minimizing impact on the content of the disc and aiding in its protection.

Characteristics of Offset Printing:

1. Thin ink layer: Typically, the ink layer ranges from 2-3μm, thinner compared to silkscreen printing, resulting in a weaker three-dimensional effect. However, offset ink cures faster, consumes less ink, and is less prone to causing disc deformation due to ink shrinkage. It has minimal impact on the flatness of the disc.

2. Excellent reproduction of printed graphics: Offset printing utilizes an indirect transfer method, transferring graphics from the printing plate to a rubber blanket before applying them to the disc’s surface. Consequently, offset printing experiences minimal dot distortion. Waterless offset printing, in particular, eliminates the need for ink-water balance. The structure of waterless printing plates allows for higher line counts, reaching 175-200 lines per inch, resulting in clearer patterns, stronger texture, and better color reproduction. It is particularly effective for printing images with themes such

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