Product overview

VAR Ink is evaporation drying gloss-type screen inks with excellent adhesion and solvent resistance to plastics such as acrylic sheets and rigid PVC. It is highly resistance ink used for screen printing on outdoor signage, instrument panels for automobiles and home appliances and various display boards.

  • Solvent type ink

Application

  • Outdoor signage, instrument panels for automobile and home appliances, and various display boards.

  • Automobile, Motorcycle

  • Home Appliance (IoT)

  • Smartphone, Tablet, Smart watch

  • Sensor

  • Game

  • Others

Features, Function

  • Excellent adhesion is obtained when G type dilution solvent is used for the following various materials.
  • It has particularly excellent surface hardness and is not easily scratched.
  • Excellent alcohol resistance and solvent resistance to common thinners.
  • Superior resistance to molding of various shapes and capable of vacuum molding.
  • Standard colors with excellent weather resistance are available. Also suitable for outdoor signages, please consult us separately.
  • Forming, workability
  • Electrical properties
  • Multi color setting
  • UV Resistance

Substrate

  • Acrylic, Rigid and soft PVC, ABS, Polycarbonate
  • PC
  • PMMA
  • PVC
  • ABS

Dilution

  • G-001 SOLVENT (fast) G-002 SOLVENT (standard) G-003 SOLVENT (slow) G-004 SOLVENT (extra slow)
  • Dilution: 15 to 20%
  • *Do not use other solvents as they may adversely affect curing, adhesion, stencil stability, or other properties.

Promoter

  • SM-40 DEFOAMER 2%（For anti-foam and improvement in leveling）

Recommended cleaner

  • Screen Cleaner L2 or G-002 SOLVENT

Mesh

  • T 150 to 300 mesh （Coverage is 20 to 28m2/kg at 250 mesh）

Drying

  • Each layer　　60℃ 10 min
    Final layer 　60℃-80℃ 60 min

Standard colors

  • 000 MEDIUM

  • 001 VICTORIA

  • 002 EXTENDER

  • 003 BRIGHT RED

  • 033 GEL RETARDER

  • 121 SCARLET

  • 161 SCARLET

  • 163 RED

  • 166 RED

  • 171 CRIMSON

  • 177 OPAQUE RED

  • 182 RED

  • 190 BRILLIANT RED

  • 191 RED

  • 221 YELLOW

  • 263 REDDISH YELLOW

  • 271 OPAQUE LIGHT YELLOW

  • 277 OPAQUE REDDISH YELLOW

  • 391 BLUE

  • 525 ORANGE

  • 577 OPAQUE ORANGE

  • 581 MAGENTA

  • 611 WHITE

  • 611 C OPAQUE WHITE

  • 675 SPECIAL OPAQUE WHITE

  • 797 GREEN

  • 821 VIOLET

  • 911コンク墨

  • 911 BLACK

  • 912 BLACK

  • 911C OPAQUE BLACK

Introduction of
Color Guide

  • *Slow type compound improves ink flow through the mesh and prevents ink sagging, resulting in improved printability. Therefore, it is effective for printing on fine lines, metallic colors, and transparent colors. To use, reduce the amount of diluting solvent and mix 10 to 20% of the slow type compound into the ink.
  • *Color settings for color separation（TC）are also available.

Caution

  • Adhesion test must be done before printing as quality of plastic may differ depending on manufacturers or lots. It is also recommended to wipe surface of the printing part with alcohol or mineral spirits to prevent defective print due to static electricity and insufficient adhesion due to plasticizer and additive floating.
  • The can tends to rust due to moisture. Please use as soon as possible after opening.
  • Checking before production: Adhesion and resistance properties may change due to differences in substrates, processes, printing and drying conditions. Be sure to check the adhesiveness and resistance properties before mass production printing
  • Ink shelf life: 24 months from production date, unopened.

Safety

  • UN No.: 1210
  • UN Classification: Class 3 Flammable Liquids (Flash point is over 23 Degree C)

Handling

  • Use safety gloves and eyeglasses to protect skin and eyes. If the ink comes in contact with skin, wash with soap and plenty of water (or lukewarm water) and consult with a doctor.
  • Containers should be closed tightly after use and stored in a cool and dark place.
  • SDS is available upon request. Please request a copy and read it carefully before handling the products.

Resistance

Test item Test Conditions Test results
Adhesion JIS K 5600-5-6:ISO2409（cross-cut）,1mm interval 6×6, cellophane tape and peel 0（no peel）
Pencil Hardness JIS K 5600-5-4:ISO 15184(pencil), Weight 750g, Hardness of pencil which does not make scar. 3H
Heat JISK5600-6-3：ISO 3248: 150℃, 2 hrs., check appearance and peel off from the substrate No defect
Hot water JIS K 5600-6-2： ISO 2812-2, Soak 24 hrs. in 60℃ hot water, check appearance and peel off No defect
Acid Soak 24 hrs. in 5% H2SO4, check appearance No defect
Alkaline Soak 24 hrs. in 5% NaOH, check appearance No defect
Alcohol Gakushin scrub tester, cotton soaked ethyl alcohol, weight 500g, 300 back and forth, check peel off No defect
Oil Gakushin scrub tester, cotton soaked engine oil, weight 500g, 300 back and forth, check peel off No defect
Solvent Gakushin scrub tester. Cotton soaked MIBK, weight 500g, 20 back and forth, check peel off No defect
Gasoline Gakushin scrub tester. Cotton soaked High octane gasoline, weight 500g, 20 back and forth, check peel off No defect
Scrub Gakushin scrub tester, cotton, weight 500g, 300 back and forth, check color fade No defect
Vacuum forming Check cracks after forming by vacuum forming machine No defect
Accelerated weathering JIS K 5600-7-7 ISO 11341　Radiant energy 60W/m2、BP Temp.63±3℃, Raining rate 18 min/120 min, check color fade (800-2000hrs) No defect

Test Condition

  • Test conditions　【VAR- 675 Special Opaque White, For formability, 391 Blue, 611 White】　【T 250】 【G-002 Solvent 20%】　【Substrate: SHINKOLITE™ (Acrylic Sheet)E(extrusion)】　　【60℃ 30 min】
  • Above test was conducted after leaving above printed materials for 24 hours at a room temperature.
  • Above resistance test results are measured results in our laboratory and they are not guaranteed values.
  • Information contained in this catalog may change without prior notice.

FAQ

What is screen printing?

Screen printing is a type of stencil printing which uses a technique of duplicating the image from a design made on mesh stencils.

When printing ink goes through the mesh, it transfers the image onto the substrate material. Other than air and water, any substrate materials are printable. Not only flat surfaces, but also curved, specially shaped, and molded products are suitable for screen printing.

When over-printed with a black ink, we often have pinholes. How can we eliminate the pinholes?

See the list below for causes of pinholes:

1. The first layer is too thin (less than 5 µ)
2. Too much dilution of the ink (more than 20%)
3. Too much squeegee pressure
4. Under layer is pale colored, such as a medium based color
5. Any combination of these causes

What are the standard drying conditions?

In multi-color printing, primary drying would be done after each color is printed. After the final color is printed, the final drying should be done according to the conditions listed in the catalog. If the color printed ink is a “two-pot” ink the final drying should be done after the printing of the Binder.

Why there is “Primary” drying and “Final” drying?

Residual solvent at the time of injection may cause ink flow and insufficient adhesion. To prevent these malfunctions, residual solvent must be evaporated through a “Final” drying process.

When we extended the primary drying time, pinholes and cracks resulted. How can we eliminate them?

With one-pot inks, if the primary drying time is too long, the solvent of second ink penetrates the first color layer and makes pinholes.

With two-pot inks, if the primary drying time is too long, a curing process occurs. Thus when the second color is printed, the first color ink layer wrinkles and looks like cracks. The countermeasure in either case would be to shorten the primary drying time.

FAQ