The Reason Why The Iron Box Has Different Colors

 Reasons for Different Colors in Tin Boxes: An Analysis by Dongguan Xin Peng Da Packaging Products

The color variation in tin boxes can be attributed to several factors. Understanding these factors is crucial for ensuring consistent and accurate color reproduction in tin box packaging. Below, Dongguan Xin Peng Da Packaging Products outlines the primary reasons for color differences in tin boxes.

 1. Influencing Factors During Color Matching

 a. Inaccurate Weighing or Inconsistent Mixing During Ink Preparation

Ink mixing involves measuring the appropriate quantities of each ink component according to the ink ratio, then mixing them uniformly. Currently, electronic scales are commonly used for measuring. Operators may encounter issues with inaccurate weighing or inconsistent mixing, which can lead to color inaccuracies during printing. This is especially true when mixing light colors such as pink, light green, and light blue. Light-colored inks are typically mixed by adding a large amount of white ink or diluent to a corresponding hue of base ink, with the base ink constituting a small proportion. However, the base ink's color contribution is significant in the final ink mixture. If the base ink is slightly inaccurately measured, the hue of the final ink can be significantly affected.

 b. Imprecise Proportions in Small Batch Color Matching for Standard Color Samples

When printing tin boxes, the standard color samples that guide the printing process are created through a proofing process. Proofing is done on a smaller machine with different pressure settings compared to the larger production machines. The color inks used for proofing are mixed in small batches by operators. Once the proof is completed and approved by the client, it becomes the standard color sample for printing. If the proportions in the small batch ink mixing are not precise, there can be significant color differences when mixing larger batches of ink for production. These differences are particularly noticeable in color inks with large component ratios, such as Yellow to Magenta = 100:1 or Yellow to Magenta to Cyan = 100:8:0.3. If the measurement of a component with a ratio of 1 or 0.3 is slightly off, the color of the large batch ink can vary significantly.

 2. Influencing Factors During Printing

 a. Inconsistencies in White Coating Hue and Brightness

In the tin box printing process, most products use a white coating as a base layer to simulate the effect of paper white. The white coatings used today are not pure white and have inherent color biases, such as yellow, red, blue, or red-blue (purple) hues. Each type of white coating also varies in brightness. These factors determine the different impacts of white coatings with varying hues and brightness on the hue of the color inks. For example:

1. Printing warm colors on a coating with a blue or blue-red (purple) hue will result in a darker color than the ink itself.

2. Printing green on a coating with a yellow hue will result in a color that is more yellowish than the ink itself, appearing as yellow-green.

In summary, printing red-phase color inks on their complementary coatings—blue or blue-red (purple) coatings—will result in a darker color than the ink itself. Similarly, printing green-phase color inks on their complementary coatings—red or blue-red (purple) coatings—will result in a darker color than the ink itself. Printing blue-phase color inks on their complementary coatings—yellow coatings—will also result in a darker color than the ink itself.

 b. Variations in Ink Layer Thickness

We know that the same ink printed at different thicknesses will exhibit different colors. In actual printing, the thickness of the ink layer is controlled by the printing pressure and the amount of ink used. Generally, once the printing pressure is properly adjusted, it remains constant. Therefore, the thickness and uniformity of the ink layer during printing are achieved by controlling the amount of ink used. Most domestic tin printing machines still rely on manual adjustment of the ink supply screw to control the ink supply. Since manual adjustments are subject to many factors, the printed ink layer may be uneven, resulting in inconsistent ink colors and hue differences compared to the standard color sample.

 Conclusion

There are many factors that contribute to color differences in tin boxes. Dongguan Xin Peng Da Tin Box Packaging Products Co., Ltd. has summarized the above points. Understanding and addressing these factors is essential for achieving consistent and accurate color reproduction in tin box packaging, ensuring that the final product meets the desired quality standards and client expectations.