Sobrevivir el verano en la sala de prensa: Cómo proteger la adhesión de la tinta y la calidad de la etiqueta
As temperatures rise, heat-related challenges in the pressroom do too. For label printers, summer weather can bring a host of variables that threaten press performance, efficiency, and print quality.
Whether you’re running water-based or UV/LED inks, heat and humidity have a direct effect on performance, from ink adhesion to substrate handling. Below, we dive into three key challenges that surface in the summer months—and our expert’s recommendations to help you beat the heat.
Humidity Hazards in Ink Transfer and Adhesion
There are two ways that humidity can disrupt your print performance. The obvious one is muggy conditions in shops with no climate control. But even if you’re beating the heat inside with air conditioning and de-humidifiers, as you bring in your rolls of material from delivery trucks outside and place them on your shop floor, you may be facing some condensation issues—especially if those materials are placed directly on press without having time to adjust to the new ambient temperature.
No matter how humidity is being introduced to your print process, it can lead to a decrease in the surface energy of your substrate leading to poor ink adhesion, mottling, or other ink laydown issues. Avoid quality inconsistencies and material waste due to humidity by taking some precautionary steps in your operations.
What to do
If possible, aim to keep your pressroom conditions at 45–55% relative humidity and under 75°F.
Don’t leave rolls on trucks or in loading bays during peak heat.
Allow substrates time to cool after being delivered.
Test your substrate with dyne pens before press runs and utilize a corona treater when needed.
Summer-Proof Your Storage
The pressroom isn’t the only area that suffers in the summer. Substrates stored in hot, unventilated warehouses can degrade quickly. Pressure-sensitive label rolls exposed to excessive heat may experience adhesive bleed, edge ooze, or even roll telescoping. Shrink films stored above 90°F can warp and distort from the heat, affecting registration and print quality.
What to do
Store sensitive substrates below 80°F in low-humidity rooms.
Rotate inventory using FIFO—older stock will degrade faster in hot conditions.
Store label stock vertically when possible to reduce adhesive pressure on roll edges.
Consider investing in insulated storage or HVAC upgrades for warehouse spaces.
Beat the Heat with UV/LED Curing
Traditional mercury vapor curing lamps emit a lot of infrared heat, raising web temperatures significantly. This only exacerbates heat-related issues during the summer months, which is especially problematic for label stocks, where heat can soften pressure-sensitive adhesives, or prematurely distort shrink films.
By contrast, UV and LED technologies cure at much lower web temperatures, helping printers maintain substrate integrity even on the hottest days. Beyond just label compatibility, UV/LED systems also reduce the need for heavy ventilation and climate control, lowering air conditioning costs and reducing pressroom energy consumption.
What to do
If you’re already considering making the switch to UV/LED curing technology, this could be an added benefit. Ask your press manufacturer or lamp supplier for more detailed cost savings projections to understand your potential ROI.
Summer Success with Smart Printing Practices
While you can’t change the weather, you can adapt your processes to maintain quality and performance all summer long. By understanding how heat and humidity affect your substrates, tintas, and equipment—and by investing in temperature-friendly technology like UV/LED curing systems—you’ll be better equipped to handle seasonal variability without sacrificing consistency.
Zeller+Gmelin has decades of experience formulating high-performance UV and LED ink systems specifically designed for label and packaging printers who demand stability, efficiency, and brilliant results—even in the toughest pressroom conditions. Whether you’re facing ink transfer challenges or planning a shift to low-temperature curing, our team is here to help.
Póngase en contacto con su representante local de Zeller+Gmelin to learn how our UV/LED ink solutions can support your operation this summer—and beyond.