Recommended Surface Energy & Treatment Ranges for Printing & Coating Polymer Surfaces
We’re often asked what dyne level do I need to print on a particular type of film. Its a complex question that includes many variables beyond the material type and method of printing or coating. We can however provide general guidelines that you can use to start your own evaluations.
The tables below list general guidelines for recommended dyne levels in flexo, gravure, litho, offset, lettpress, screen & pad printing as well as coating applications. We’ve included some common materials including, PE, PP, PVC, PET, PS, PVDC, PU & ABS. Find your application below:
| Recommended treatment ranges (dynes/cm2) | ||||||||
| Flexo/Gravure | PE | PP | PVC | PET | PS | PVDC | PU | ABS |
| Water | 38-44 | 38-44 | 38-44 | 44-52 | 38-44 | 42-46 | 40-46 | 42-46 |
| Solvent | 36-40 | 38-40 | 36-40 | 40-46 | 35-40 | 38-42 | 30-42 | 40-44 |
| UV | 38-50 | 40-50 | 36-50 | 42-54 | 42-48 | 42-52 | 38-50 | 40-52 |
| Litho | PE | PP | PVC | PET | PS | PVDC | PU | ABS |
| Water | 40-46 | 40-46 | 40-45 | 46-58 | 40-45 | 42-46 | 40-46 | 42-45 |
| Solvent | 37-42 | 38-42 | 37-42 | 42-46 | 37-42 | 40-42 | 38-42 | 40-45 |
| UV | 40-50 | 40-50 | 36-52 | 44-56 | 42-50 | 42-52 | 38-52 | 42-52 |
| Offset/Letterpress | PE | PP | PVC | PET | PS | PVDC | PU | ABS |
| Water | 40-46 | 40-46 | 40-45 | 46-56 | 40-46 | 42-48 | 40-45 | 42-48 |
| Solvent | 37-42 | 37-42 | 38-42 | 42-46 | 38-44 | 38-44 | 38-44 | 38-46 |
| UV | 42-54 | 40-54 | 40-52 | 46-60 | 42-58 | 42-54 | 42-56 | 45-52 |
| Screen & Pad | PE | PP | PVC | PET | PS | PVDC | PU | ABS |
| Water | 42-48 | 42-48 | 42-48 | 48-60 | 42-48 | 42-50 | 42-48 | 42-48 |
| Solvent | 38-44 | 38-44 | 38-44 | 42-48 | 38-44 | 40-45 | 38-44 | 40-45 |
| UV | 44-60 | 44-60 | 42-60 | 44-62 | 42-58 | 42-58 | 42-58 | 48-56 |
| Coating | PE | PP | PVC | PET | PS | PVDC | PU | ABS |
| Water | 40-42 | 40-42 | 40-48 | 42-52 | 42-50 | 42-48 | 42-48 | 42-48 |
| Solvent | 30-45 | 38-45 | 38-45 | 40-42 | 38-46 | 40-46 | 30-48 | 38-46 |
| UV | 44-54 | 44-54 | 42-54 | 46-60 | 44-58 | 44-54 | 44-54 | 44-54 |
If you have any questions please contact our application experts and we can help you with your application.
