Printing & Decoration Technologies Flashcards

Digital inkjet printing in packaging is best suited for which production scenario?

Answer: Short runs with variable data and fast changeovers

Digital inkjet excels at short runs and variable data printing because it requires no plates and can change artwork job to job.

In offset lithography, the image and non-image areas of the plate are separated by:

Answer: Chemical differences exploiting oil-water repulsion

Offset litho plates are chemically treated so image areas accept oil-based ink while non-image areas accept water and repel ink.

Which substrate surface characteristic most significantly affects ink adhesion?

Answer: Surface energy (dyne level)

Surface energy, measured in dynes/cm, must be higher than the ink's surface tension for proper wetting and adhesion.

Laser scoring and laser ablation in packaging decoration are examples of which decorating category?

Answer: Subtractive surface modification

Laser processes remove or alter material from the surface (subtractive), creating effects like matte windows or hinge lines without adding ink.

The term 'misregister' in multicolor packaging printing describes:

Answer: Misalignment between successive color layers

Misregister occurs when color separations do not align precisely, producing blurry edges or color fringing on the printed image.

Expanded Color Gamut (ECG) printing uses how many fixed ink colors to reduce spot color usage?

Answer: 7 (CMYK + OGV)

ECG typically uses 7 fixed inks — CMYK plus Orange, Green, and Violet — to simulate most spot colors without dedicated ink changes.

Rub resistance of a printed surface is primarily improved by:

Answer: Applying an overprint varnish or coating

An overprint varnish or laminate creates a protective layer over the ink, significantly improving scuff and rub resistance.