Printing sleeve white color | 1.5mm to 10mm
Printing sleeve white color | 1.5mm to 10mm
Blog Article
Here's a comprehensive guide to printing sleeves in white color, covering thicknesses from 1.5mm to 10mm, including material choices, printing methods, applications, and key considerations:
1. Material Options for White Printing Sleeves
By Thickness & Use Case
| Thickness | Best Material | Key Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5–3mm | Polyester (PET) | Thin, flexible, high print resolution. Ideal for labels/packaging. |
| 3–6mm | Polypropylene (PP) | Balance of rigidity and cost-effectiveness. Common for mid-range sleeves. |
| 6–10mm | Nylon/Composite | Heavy-duty, dimensional stability for large-format/industrial prints. |
| 3–8mm | Foam-core (lightweight) | Shock-absorbing; reduces bounce in high-speed printing. |
Special Note for White Sleeves:
Requires opaque white pigment (or white ink underprinting) for true color vibrancy.
Avoid yellowing with UV-resistant coatings for outdoor use.
2. Printing Techniques
| Method | Best Thickness Range | Pros for White Sleeves |
|---|---|---|
| Flexographic | 1.5–5mm | Fast drying, eco-friendly water-based inks. White ink layers may need multiple passes. |
| Rotogravure | 3–10mm | Superior opacity for solid white backgrounds. High durability. |
| Digital (UV/Latex) | 1.5–6mm | No plates needed; Pantone-matched whites. Best for short runs. |
Critical Tip:
Use white primer/base layer when printing on transparent sleeves to prevent substrate show-through.
3. Thickness-Specific Applications
| Thickness | Typical Uses |
|---|---|
| 1.5–3mm | Labels, flexible packaging (e.g., pouches, sleeves for bottles). |
| 3–6mm | Shrink sleeves, corrugated box printing, mid-weight industrial tags. |
| 6–10mm | Large-format graphics (billboards, vehicle wraps), heavy-duty industrial marking. |
4. Surface Finishes & Treatments
Glossy White: Enhances brightness (common for food/beverage packaging).
Matte White: Reduces glare for readability (e.g., medical/technical labels).
Texture Coating: Adds grip for industrial sleeves (6mm+).
5. Supplier & Customization Tips
Key Suppliers: Rotec, Tresu, Apex International (offer pre-coated white sleeves).
Custom Requests: Specify opacity level (e.g., 90%+ for overprinting dark substrates).
MOQ: Higher for rotogravure; lower for digital (sample sleeves often available).
6. Cost Drivers
Material: PET is cheaper than nylon/composite.
Ink: White ink/underprinting adds cost (requires higher pigment concentration).
Thickness: 6mm+ sleeves cost more due to material weight.
7. Troubleshooting White Sleeves
Issue: Uneven white coverage.
Fix: Increase ink viscosity or use a double-layer primer.
Issue: Yellowing over time.
Fix: Opt for UV-resistant sleeves/inks.
Need a quote? Specify:
Exact thickness (e.g., 2.5mm PET).
Surface finish (gloss/matte).
Ink type (water-based/UV-curable).https://store.unigulfsupply.com/product/ferrule-tube-white/