The universal ink system for solvent-based packaging printing
Gecko is a unique modular ink system allowing to cover a multitude of applications with minimum of products and components. It is specifically designed to comply with today’s high demands for food packaging safety.
The core of the Gecko product range is the easy-to-use modular mixing system allowing to formulate the various inks series from the Gecko Base concentrate range. A large range of applications and fastness properties can be covered. The versatility of Gecko is underpinned by a broad catalogue of special products to meet the complex requirements of modern packaging.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.
Solvent based printing inks for flexible packaging
Solvent based printing inks for flexible packaging
Solvent based printing inks for flexible packaging
Solvent based printing inks for flexible packaging
Printing inks for flexible packaging
...
Mono solvent printing inks for flexible packaging
Solvent based printing inks for flexible packaging
Solvent based printing inks for flexible packaging
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book.It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.
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Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.
Lorem Ipsum | Lorem Ipsum 0 - 0 |
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Slow | Lorem Ipsum 0 : 0 | Lorem Ipsum 0 : 0 |
Standard | Lorem Ipsum 0 : 0 | Lorem Ipsum 0 : 0 |
Fast | Lorem Ipsum 0 : 0 | |
Retarder | Lorem Ipsum | - |
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book.It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.
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Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.
Lorem Ipsum | Lorem Ipsum 0 - 0 |
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Slow | Lorem Ipsum 0 : 0 | Lorem Ipsum 0 : 0 |
Standard | Lorem Ipsum 0 : 0 | Lorem Ipsum 0 : 0 |
Fast | Lorem Ipsum 0 : 0 | |
Retarder | Lorem Ipsum | - |
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.
A full colour range of pigmented nitrocellulose printing inks designed for surface printed applications on flexible films, supplied as finished products or for use as mono component concentrates and additives within an ink dispenser formulation.
Flexible packaging for food, bottle labels, carrier bags and beverage products printed on polyethylene, chemically treated polyester and polypropylene films. Can also be used for shrink applications.
Surface print Flexographic and Rotogravure.
Ink adhesion | 5 |
Rub resistance | 5 |
Anti starch | 5 |
Heat resistance | 160° C - 180° C |
Gloss | 4 |
Water resistance | max. 5*) |
Deep freeze resistance | max. 5*) |
Vegetable oil resistance | max. 5*) |
Light fastness | max. 7*) |
(1 to 5 based on Gecko product range) 1= worst value, 5= best value
Material safety data sheets are available on request. We advise to ready the MSDS carefully before using the products
All resistance properties are a guideline only and depend on the final application. The values marked with *) also depend on pigment selection, the maximum values only apply when using pigments with adequate fastness properties. For details about exact test methods which are the basis for info about fastness properties given above please refer to the general test method overview.
LDPE, HDPE, Coex OPP, CPP, PET chem., shrinkable OPP, PE, PET and OPS Applicability on acrylic coated PP has to be tested properly prior to print production.
Diluents | Flexographic 20 – 25 s DIN 4 |
Gravure 15 – 20 s DIN 4 |
Slow | n-Propanol/n-Propyl Acetate 9 : 1 | n-Propanol/n-Propyl Acetate 3 : 1 |
Standard | Ethanol/Ethyl Acetate 9 : 1 | Ethanol/Ethyl Acetate 3 : 1 |
Fast | Ethanol/Ethyl Acetate 1 : 1 | |
Retarder | Ethoxy Propanol | Ethoxy Propanol |
A full colour range of pigmented nitrocellulose printing inks designed for surface printed applications on papers and flexible films, supplied as finished products or for use as mono component concentrates and additives within an ink dispenser formulation.
Flexible and semi-rigid packaging for food and beverage products printed on coated and uncoated papers. May also be printed over a wide range of films if a suitable white or primer has first been applied.
Surface print Flexo graphic and Rotogravure.
Ink adhesion | 5 |
Rub resistance | 4 |
Anti starch | 4 |
Heat resistance | 160° C - 180° C |
Water resistance | max. 4*) |
Deep freeze resistance | max. 4*) |
Vegetable oil resistance | max. 4*) |
Light fastness | max. 7*) |
All resistance properties are a guideline only and depend on the final application. The values marked with *) also depend on pigment selection; the maximum values only apply when using pigments with adequate fastness properties. For details about exact test methods which are the basis for info about fastness properties given above please refer to the general test method overview.
Paper, Coated paper, Metalized paper, Primed aluminium
Diluents | Flexographic 20 – 25 s DIN 4 |
Gravure 15 – 20 s DIN 4 |
Slow | n-Propanol/n-Propyl Acetate 9 : 1 | n-Propanol/n-Propyl Acetate 3 : 1 |
Standard | Ethanol/Ethyl Acetate 9 : 1 | Ethanol/Ethyl Acetate 3 : 1 |
Fast | Ethanol/Ethyl Acetate 1 : 1 | |
Retarder | Ethoxy Propanol | Ethoxy Propanol |
1 to 5 based on Gecko product range
1= worst value, 5= best value
Material safety data sheets are available on request. We advise to read the MSDS carefully before using the products
A full colour range of pigmented nitrocellulose printing inks designed for surface printed applications on papers and flexible films, supplied as finished products or for use as mono component concentrates and additives within an ink dispenser formulation.
Flexible and semi-rigid packaging for food, carrier bags and beverage products printed on coated and uncoated papers or polyethylene. For printing on polypropylene the addition of adhesion promoter might be necessary.
Surface print Flexographic and Rotogravure.
Ink adhesion | 5 |
Rub resistance | 4 |
Anti starch | 4 |
Heat resistance | 160° C - 180° C |
Gloss | 4 |
Water resistance | max. 4*) |
Deep freeze resistance | max. 4*) |
Vegetable oil resistance | max. 4*) |
Light fastness | max. 7*) |
All resistance properties are a guideline only and depend on the final application. The values marked with *) also depend on pigment selection, the maximum values only apply when using pigments with adequate fastness properties. For details about exact test methods which are the basis for info about fastness properties given above please refer to the general test method overview.
Paper, NC-coated aluminium, LDPE, HDPE, Coex OPP
Diluents | Flexographic 20 – 25 s DIN 4 |
Gravure 15 – 20 s DIN 4 |
Slow | n-Propanol/n-Propyl Acetate 9 : 1 | n-Propanol/n-Propyl Acetate 3 : 1 |
Standard | Ethanol/Ethyl Acetate 9 : 1 | Ethanol/Ethyl Acetate 3 : 1 |
Fast | Ethanol/Ethyl Acetate 1 : 1 | |
Retarder | Methoxy propyl acetate | - |
1 to 5 based on Gecko product range
1= worst value, 5= best value
Material safety data sheets are available on request. We advise to read the MSDS carefully before using the products
Label printing
Shopping bags
Chocolates and food wrappers
Gravure & Flexo
Treated PP & PE, Treated OPP, Pearl BOPP, Paper & Board, Met BOPP/PET/PVC etc
The following table shows the effect of the ink input on the printing speed.
Ink adhesion | 4 |
Heat resistance | 100 - 120 * C |
Gloss | 4 |
Light fastness | 2 — 7 |
Water resistance | 4 |
Deep freeze resistance | 3 |
Vegetable oil resistance | 3 |
Lamination bonds | NA |
1=lowest, 5=best value
Material safety data sheets are available on request. We advise to read the MSDS carefully before using the products
A full colour range of pigmented nitrocellulose mono solvent printing inks, designed for the application of surface printing for gravure printing.
Flexible packaging for PVC films and PVDC-coated films.
The Gecko Frontal Vantage series can be used for the standard surface printing applications. If an improved scratch resistance should be needed, our Wax Additive solution can be used in the amount of 2-4%. This additive improves the scratch and rub resistance. This Series is not suitable for pasteurisation and sterilization. Given the wide variety of PVC and PVDC-coated film commercially available, a print test before the actual industrial run is strongly recommended.
Rotogravure printing for surface printing.
1 to 5 based on Gecko product range
1 = worst value, 5 = best value. (*) For Light Fastness:
Wool Scale 1 = worst value, 8 = best value.
Material safety data sheets are available on request. We advise to read the MSDS carefully before using the products
PVC, PVDC-coated PP, PVDC-coated Cellophane, Acrylic-coated PP, NC-coated Alu, Paper
A preliminary adhesion test is strongly recommended
Diluents | Flexographic 20 – 25 s DIN 4 |
Gravure 15 – 20 s DIN 4 15 – 20 s DIN 4 |
Slow | - | n-Propyl acetate |
Standard | - | Ethyl acetate |
Fast | - | Methoxy propanol or Methoxy propyl acetate |
Ink adhesion | 4 |
Light fastness (full tone) | 3 -8 * |
Scratch resistance | 3 |
All properties are a guideline only and must always be tested on the specific application
A full colour range of pigmented nitrocellulose printing inks, designed for gravure printing applications on aluminium and plastic foils. This series is also available as a mono solvent ink series (Gecko Frontal Alu MS).
Flexible packaging for food and beverage products. The Gecko Frontal Alu Series is specific for aluminium but can also be used for surface printing on chem PET, acrylic-coated-BOPP, paper and BOPP. It can be used on BOPP for lamination. The lamination bond depends on the substrate quality, on the type of adhesive and the amount applied. Evaluate before printing that the surface treatment of PP is ≥ 38 dynes/cm. When printed on PP (except in the case of Acrylic coated PP), all the inks of the series should be activated with our recommended Adhesion promoter in the amount of 5% (please consult technical team for the same.
Gecko Frontal Alu can be used for the applications of external standard printing. When not protected by over print varnish we suggest to add our special Additive Wax Paste in the amount of 2-4% in order to assure greater scratch resistance. This additive increases the scratch and rub resistance but does not have to be added for applications intended for lamination. If the application requires high mechanical resistance or bears high blocking risk, the use of a dedicated Gecko Frontal ink series is strongly recommended. For applications where ink-to-ink contact may occur (such as in folded packages, or where packages are stacked) Gecko® Frontal Alu should not be used.
Rotogravure for surface printing and lamination.
Material safety data sheets are available on request. We advise to read the MSDS carefully before using the products
All properties are just a guideline and must always be tested on the specific application.
Annealed ALU, NC treat. ALU, Acrylic tr. PP, Chemical Treat. PET, BOPP, Paper
a preliminary adhesion and lamination test is strongly recommended
Diluents | Flexographic 20 – 25 s DIN 4 |
|
Slow | n-Propyl acetate | 100% |
Standard | Ethyl acetate Ethyl acetate/Ethanol | 100% 8:2 |
Fast | Methoxy propyl acetate | - |
Ink adhesion | 4 |
Light fastness (full tone) | 3 -8 (*) |
Heat resistance | 160 – 180 °C |
1 to 5 based on Gecko product range
1 = worst value, 5 = best value.
(*) for Light Fastness:
Wool Scale 1 = worst value, 8 = best value
Gecko Frontal Alu inks are not suitable for thermal process like sterilization and pasteurisation. If it is desired to re-use the residual inks containing the Adhesion Promoter for a new print work, it is recommended to test this inks to verify the adhesion to the support and, where needed, to newly add the additive, in order to achieve an optimal adhesion.
A full colour range of pigmented nitrocellulose printing inks designed for surface printed applications on flexible films, supplied as finished products for matt surface effect, or as mono pigmented components for use in a mixing station.
Flexible packaging for food, bottle labels, flower wrappers, carrier bags and beverage products printed on polyethylene, paper and polypropylene films.
Surface print Flexographic and Rotogravure.
Ink adhesion | 4 |
Heat resistance | 160 – 180 °C |
1 to 5 based on Gecko product range
1 = worst value, 5 = best value
Material safety data sheets are available on request. We advise to read the MSDS carefully before using the products
All properties are a guideline only and must always be tested on the specific application.
LDPE, HDPE, Coex OPP, CPP, Paper
Diluents | Flexographic 20 – 25 s DIN 4 |
Gravure 13 – 18 s DIN 4 |
Slow | n-Propanol/n-Propyl Acetate 9:1 | n-Propanol/n-Propyl Acetate 3:1 |
Standard | Ethanol/Ethyl Acetate 9:1 | Ethanol/Ethyl Acetate 3:1 |
Ethanol/Ethyl Acetate 1:1 | ||
Retarder | Ethoxy Propanol | Ethoxy Propanol |
A complete range of pigment inks pluri solvent nitrocellulose-based, designed specifically for applications in commercial printing on flexible packaging films anti fog treated. Can be supplied as a series of finished products or as concentrates mono-components and additives for mixing station.
Flexible packaging of food, top trays, bags for vegetables or products with high moisture content preserved by the cold cycle, printed on films of polyethylene, chemically treated polyester and polypropylene. Can also be used for shrink applications.
Surface print Flexographic and Rotogravure.
Ink adhesion | 5 |
Rub resistance | 5 |
Anti-scratch | 5 |
Heat resistance | 160°C - 180°C |
Water resistance | 5 |
Deep freeze resistance | 5 |
Vegetable oil resistance | 5 |
Gloss | 4 |
1 to 5 based on Gecko product range
1 = worst value, 5 = best value
Material safety data sheets are available on request. We advise to read the MSDS carefully before using the products
All properties are a guideline only and must always be tested on the specific application.
LDPE, HDPE, Coex OPP, CPP, Chem PET, Shrink-able films (OPP-PE-PET-OPS)
Applicability on acrylic coated PP has to be tested properly in relation to the adhesion promoter already contained in the series.
Diluents | Flexographic 20 – 25 s DIN 4 |
Gravure 15 – 20 s DIN 4 |
Slow | n-Propanol/n-Propyl Acetate 9:1 | n-Propanol/n-Propyl Acetate 3:1 |
Standard | Ethanol/Ethyl Acetate 9:1 | Ethanol/Ethyl Acetate 3:1 |
Fast | - | Ethanol/Ethyl Acetate 1:1 |
Retarder | Ethoxy Propanol | Ethoxy Propanol |
A full colour range of pigmented nitrocellulose printing inks designed for reverse printed lamination applications on flexible films, supplied as finished products or for use as mono component concentrates and additives within an ink dispenser formulation.
Flexible packaging for food and beverage products printed on polyethylene or polypropylene films. Gecko Bond Top can be used for printing on PET chem. in combination with Xtreme White (consult technology)
Gecko Bond Top can be used for standard surface printing applications. If the application in question requires high mechanical resistance or bears high blocking risk, it is strongly recommended to use the appropriate Gecko Frontal ink series. Also for applications where ink-toink contact may occur (such as in folded packages, or where packages are stacked) Gecko Bond Top should not be used.
Reverse print Flexographic and Rotogravure for lamination.
Material safety data sheets are available on request. We advise to read the MSDS carefully before using the products
Ink adhesion | 4 | Light fastness (BWS) | 3 - 7 |
Lamination bond | Usually lamination bond strength of > 2.0 N / 15 mm can be achieved. Exact values are dependent on substrate quality as well as adhesive type and film weight applied. | ||
1 to 5 based on Gecko product range
1= worst value, 5= best value
All technical properties are a guideline only and depend on pigment choice and final application. For details about exact test methods which are the basis for info about fastness properties given above please refer to the general test method overview.
Coex OPP, PE, PETchem.
Application on acrylic coated PPhas to be tested properly prior to print production.
A full colour range of highly pigmented nitrocellulose printing inks designed for reverse printed lamination applications on flexible films, supplied as finished products or for use as mono component concentrates and additives within an ink dispenser formulation.
Flexible packaging for food and beverage products printed on chemically treated polyester, polypropylene and polyamide films.
Reverse print Flexographic and Rotogravure for lamination.
Ink adhesion | see additives | Light fastness (BWS) | 4 - 5 |
Lamination bond | Usually lamination bond strength of > 2.0 N / 15 mm can be achieved. Exact values are dependent on substrate quality as well as adhesive type and film weight applied. | ||
1 to 5 based on Gecko product range
1= worst value, 5= best value
Material safety data sheets are available on request. We advise to read the MSDS carefully before using the products
All technical properties are a guideline only and depend on pigment choice and final application. For details about exact test methods which are the basis for info about fastness properties given above please refer to the general test method overview.
Coex OPP, PET chem., PET corona*, BOPA**
Coex OPP, PE, PET chem.
* For applications on corona treated PET, under any circumstances lamination performance must be tested prior to production. The use of Xtreme White (consult technology) is highly recommended for applications including PET corona. Additionally the use of PETcorona qualities having a surface tension of 44- 52 dyne is highly recommended.
** For applications including BOPA as substrate the use of Xtreme White (consult technology) is highly recommended, as well.
*** Applicability on acrylic-coated PPhas to test properly prior to print production.
Auniversal lamination ink supplied as finished product. Gecko Platinum ink series offers the best possible bond strength level for a large range of packaging substrates. In combination with suitable lamination adhesives, it can be used for high temperature applications such as steam sterilisation.
Suitable for typical reverse printed lamination applications when gravure printing on films such as OPP, chem PET, OPA and corona treated PET. Produces superior bond strength values for a variety of packaging laminates.
Gecko Platinum inks must not be contaminated or mixed with other ink series.
Rotogravure
Ink adhesion | 4 – 5 | ||
Lamination bond | Bond usually lamination bond strength of > 3N/15mm can be achieved. Exact values are dependent on substrate quality as well as adhesive type and film weight applied. The lamination bond strength is expected to remain stable after sterilization processes. | ||
1 to 5 based on Gecko product range
1 = worst value, 5 = best value
All technical properties are a guideline only and dependant on final application
Material safety data sheets are available on request. We advise to read the MSDS carefully before using the products
Coex OPP, Chem PET, Corona PET*, BOPA, PET SiOx
Coex OPP, CPP, Alu/PE, PE, Metallic Films
* It is highly recommended to work with corona PET qualities having a surface tension of 44-52 mN/m.
Dilution | Gravure 23 - 28 s DIN 3 |
||
Fast | Ethyl Acetate | ||
Standard | Ethyl acetate /n-Propyl acetate/Isopropanol 2:2:1 | ||
Slow | n-Propyl acetate / n-Propanol 1:1 (For very fine vignette area) | ||
Retarder | Methoxy propanol |
A full colour range of pigmented PVB printing inks designed for reverse printed lamination applications on flexible films, supplied as finished products or for use as mono component concentrates and additives within an ink dispenser formulation.
Flexible packaging for food and beverage products printed on corona treated polyester, chemically treated polyester, polypropylene, LDPE and polyamide films.
Reverse print Flexographic and Rotogravure for lamination.
Ink adhesion | 4 | Light fastness (BWS) | 2 – 7 |
Lamination bond | Usually lamination bond strength of > 2.0 N / 15 mm can be achieved. Exact values are dependent on substrate quality as well as adhesive type and film weight applied. |
Material safety data sheets are available on request. We advise to read the MSDS carefully before using the products
1 to 5 based on Gecko product range
1= worst value, 5= best value
All technical properties are a guideline only and depend on pigment choice and final application. For details about exact test methods which are the basis for info about fastness properties given above please refer to the general test method overview.
BOPP, Coex OPP, PET chem., PET corona, LDPE, BOPA**
Coex OPP, PE, PET chem.
* For applications on corona treated PET, lamination performance must be tested prior to production. Additionally the use of PET corona qualities having a surface tension of 44- 52 dyne is highly recommended.
** Applicability on acrylic-coated PP has to test properly prior to print production.
*** Ink series Gecko Freshlam, can also be used for surface printing application in Gravure and Flexo by adding wax solution (please consult technical team for clarity), making this series more versatile.