About Label Topcoats

About Topcoats

Polyonics offers a wide variety of coated label materials that are designed for a variety of printing processes. When used with the appropriate thermal transfer ribbon these labels can withstand high temperatures, and the harshest cleaners and solvents. Polyonics standard materials comply with the RoHS and WEEE initiatives, meet the appropriate specifications of ASTM, PSTC, select MIL-STD's, have UL recognition as well as other unique standards and specifications.

Importance of the Topcoat.

Ink receptivity

Print Quality - How well will it accept different types of print
Printing technology employed - Thermal transfer, dot matrix, Flexo, Laser etc.

Heat resistance
Solvent resistance

Chemicals, Cleaners

UV resistance
Diecuttability

Hard or soft topcoat (easier for tooling)

Surface quality

Smoother topcoat means higher print resolution

Aesthetics- Matte versus Gloss

Matte topcoats- Their non-reflective appearance is due to the micro-porous surface of the coating, which scatters, rather than reflects, light. As the liquid ink is formed by melting, during the thermal transfer printing process, it will be absorbed into the pores by capillary action. Likewise, the pores "dry" ink jet, or even ballpoint pen markings, by absorbing the solventsused in their wet ink.

Gloss topcoats- are due to an extremely smooth surface, which reflects more light than it scatters, giving it the gloss appearance. Often (but not always) resin ribbons are used for printing on glossy substrates.

Color- Polyonics has expanded its product line to include topcoats in six colors that are available in either 1 or 2 mil thickness, respectively. Each product has a semi-gloss finish based on the ROHS compliant "580 series" label materials. For more information on our colored Polyimides, color tinting, matching or view an example of a Munsel chart visit color polyimides

Material capability- Polyonics label materials are available in a wide range of colors and finishes. The appropriate label thickness will be determined by the details of your application need. In addition to thermal transfer printing, Polyonics offers you coated label materials that can be printed with ink jet, dot matrix, hot stamp and flexographic technologies... even etched with a laser! When you contact Polyonics customer service or technical service department, let our in-depth knowledge and technical skill go to work for you to enable us to find the optimal cost effective solution for your labeling requirement.

	About Topcoats Polyonics offers a wide variety of coated label materials that are designed for a variety of printing processes. When used with the appropriate thermal transfer ribbon these labels can withstand high temperatures, and the harshest cleaners and solvents. Polyonics standard materials comply with the RoHS and WEEE initiatives, meet the appropriate specifications of ASTM, PSTC, select MIL-STD's, have UL recognition as well as other unique standards and specifications. Importance of the Topcoat. Ink receptivity Print Quality - How well will it accept different types of print Printing technology employed - Thermal transfer, dot matrix, Flexo, Laser etc. Heat resistance Solvent resistance Chemicals, Cleaners UV resistance Diecuttability Hard or soft topcoat (easier for tooling) Surface quality Smoother topcoat means higher print resolution Aesthetics- Matte versus Gloss Matte topcoats- Their non-reflective appearance is due to the micro-porous surface of the coating, which scatters, rather than reflects, light. As the liquid ink is formed by melting, during the thermal transfer printing process, it will be absorbed into the pores by capillary action. Likewise, the pores "dry" ink jet, or even ballpoint pen markings, by absorbing the solventsused in their wet ink. Gloss topcoats- are due to an extremely smooth surface, which reflects more light than it scatters, giving it the gloss appearance. Often (but not always) resin ribbons are used for printing on glossy substrates. Color- Polyonics has expanded its product line to include topcoats in six colors that are available in either 1 or 2 mil thickness, respectively. Each product has a semi-gloss finish based on the ROHS compliant "580 series" label materials. For more information on our colored Polyimides, color tinting, matching or view an example of a Munsel chart visit color polyimides Material capability- Polyonics label materials are available in a wide range of colors and finishes. The appropriate label thickness will be determined by the details of your application need. In addition to thermal transfer printing, Polyonics offers you coated label materials that can be printed with ink jet, dot matrix, hot stamp and flexographic technologies... even etched with a laser! When you contact Polyonics customer service or technical service department, let our in-depth knowledge and technical skill go to work for you to enable us to find the optimal cost effective solution for your labeling requirement.
Polyonics, Inc. 867 Rte. 12 Westmoreland, NH 03467-4740 Tel: 603.352.1415 Fax: 603.352.1936 Email: info@polyonics.com