Choosing the Right Ink for Polyethylene: Oil-Based Ink Pad Solutions Without Dry-Out Issues

Customer Question:

I'm looking for an ink that will work well on polyethylene using an ink pad. However, I don't want a solvent-based ink because it dries out the pad too quickly. Would your oil-based all-surface ink work for this use case? Also, do you sell in bulk or offer custom ink pad solutions?

Answer:

Ink Recommendations for Polyethylene Surfaces

Polyethylene is a low-surface-energy plastic, making it difficult for most inks to adhere effectively. Typically, solvent-based inks are preferred for this surface due to their aggressive adhesion properties. However, you're absolutely right—these inks tend to evaporate quickly, leading to drying issues on ink pads. This can make them inefficient for long-term stamping use.

We offer a more suitable alternative that balances performance and usability. Our line of All-Surface Oil-Based Inks (https://bchtechnologies.com/collections/stamp-ink-more-all-surface-oil-based) is specifically designed to perform across a variety of non-porous surfaces, including plastics like polyethylene, while avoiding the rapid evaporation issues common with solvent inks.

These inks are formulated for use with pre-inked stamps but can be used on self-inking pads as well. However, we advise some caution and adjustments:

How Ink Pad Type Affects Performance

• Pre-Inked Stamps: These are ideal for our oil-based all-surface inks. The rubber in pre-inked stamps is designed to absorb and hold ink well, which is helpful when working with thicker ink formulas like these. If you're doing bulk printing, consider cutting your pre-inked stamps for optimal results.

• Self-Inking Stamps: While it's possible to use our oil-based ink here, the material in these pads tends to be softer and may not absorb the ink as evenly. The result could be a “halo effect” or blotchy print, especially if too much ink is applied.

  To avoid over-inking:

  • Start with a smaller quantity than what you’d use for traditional water- or pigment-based inks.

  • Monitor for saturation and print clarity as you apply.

Because ink pad absorption and print clarity can vary depending on stamp design and rubber composition, you may need to test different drop quantities to dial in the best result.

Bulk Orders and Custom Solutions

Yes, we do sell these inks in bulk. We'd be happy to discuss options with you for commercial-scale usage or if you have a unique need (e.g., custom ink pads or pre-inked stamp fabrication). Don't hesitate to contact us directly through our contact page (https://bchtechnologies.com/pages/contact-us) so we can provide specific details based on your application needs.

Final Notes on Service and Support

Addressing printer and stamping issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, we cannot provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. So, it might take a few weeks to get your printer to drop it off. Our services are structured to repair either the whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we highly recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Look for specific videos using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be most efficient. Plus, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.

Thank you again for reaching out to us. We appreciate your interest in our products and are always here to support your printing needs as best we can.