Choosing the Right Ink for Variable Coding on Difficult Packaging Surfaces.

Industrial Solvent Ink Coding for Non-Porous Packaging | Printing variable information onto glossy, coated or non-porous packaging can require a different ink formulation from ordinary paper-based coding.

Applications involving:

• Aluminium foil
• Blister packaging
• PET film
• OPP
• PE
• Metallic stock
• UV-coated paper
• Glossy packaging

may require solvent-based ink formulated specifically for these surfaces.

One example is HSAJET K4022si Thor Black Solvent Ink, which HSA Systems identifies for these substrate categories.

Why Substrate Matters

A code that prints correctly on porous cardboard may behave very differently on:

• Plastic film
• Foil
• Gloss coatings
• UV varnish
• Metallised packaging

Important characteristics include:

• Ink adhesion
• Drying time
• Rub resistance
• Print contrast
• Surface treatment
• Line speed

Because material names alone do not determine printability, actual samples should be tested.

Typical Variable Information

Commercial coding systems can be used for information such as:

• Batch codes
• Lot numbers
• Production dates
• Expiry-related information
• Product identifiers
• Traceability codes
• Barcodes
• 2D codes
• Internal manufacturing references

The printer/software generates the content; the ink determines whether the resulting mark is suitable for the substrate and process.

Featured Ink — HSAJET K4022si

HSA Systems positions K4022si Thor Black Solvent Ink for challenging non-porous packaging materials.

Current documentation identifies approximately:

• 45 ml cartridge fill
• 33 ml average delivered ink
• 2–3 second drying time, substrate dependent
• 1-hour decap time
• 12-month shelf life

Important Buyer Guidance

Before selecting solvent ink, confirm:

• Packaging material
• Coating
• Surface treatment
• Print location
• Conveyor speed
• Coding machine
• Cartridge technology
• Required code durability
• Environmental exposure
• Regulatory requirements

A substrate sample test is preferable before volume production.

FAQ - HSAJET K4022si

Q: Why use solvent ink on PET or aluminium?
A: Non-porous surfaces generally do not absorb water-based ink like plain paper. Compatible solvent inks are formulated to provide adhesion and drying characteristics suitable for selected non-porous materials.

Q: Can one solvent ink print on every plastic or foil?
A: No. Even within PET, PE, OPP, aluminium or coated-paper categories, surface chemistry can vary. Testing the actual production substrate is recommended.

Q: Is K4022si suitable for blister foil?
A: HSA Systems specifically lists aluminium and blister foil among the intended application materials for K4022si.

Helpful Internal Links

• HP45si Solvent Ink Cartridges
• Industrial Coding & Marking Consumables
• Packaging Coding Solutions

Contact NEOTECH® UAE

NEOTECH® UAE
Operated by NEOLYN TECHNOLOGY LLC
Store 13, Computer Building, Al Fahidi, Bur Dubai, Dubai 44245, UAE
Email: support@neotech.ae

Disclaimer – NEOTECH® UAE

HSAJET, HSA Systems, HP and associated product or technology names belong to their respective rights holders.

Specifications and application information are based on HSA Systems documentation for K4022si. Drying time, adhesion, decap behaviour and delivered ink volume depend on substrate, operating environment and application.

Customers should confirm the exact cartridge reference, printer compatibility and substrate suitability before purchase.

Last Updated: 14 August 2026  (GST, UTC+4)