FTM27

ink rub test for uv printed

labels ink surface against
substrate or ink surface

scope conditions
This test method is suitable for checking out rub resistance Condition should be at 23° ±-2°C / 70 - 77°F ±- ;
of printed UV ink: ink surface against substrate or ink 50% RH ±- 5% RH.
surface against ink surface.
Bad adhesion cannot be detected with this method as long
as scratch or rub resistance is good. The specific resistances preparation and procedure
must be elicited with different methods, e.g. FTM 21. In
difficult cases bad adherence and bad rub resistance can 1. Remove one label from the master reel sample.
occur together. 2. Cut of a short piece of blank substrate from the reel
in the size of the rubber bed on the right hand side of
This test procedure can be handled by lab personnel of a the Ink Rub Tester.
printing factory or a pressman / production manager who 3. Adhere blank substrate to the rubber bed on the right
is instructed to the Ink Rub Tester equipment. hand side of the Ink Rub Tester and adhere the printed
label to the rubber of the 2 lbs* weight. It is important
that the sample on the 2 lbs weight is covered with
definition ink all over the test area.
4. Place the 2 lbs weight completely with label onto the
Normally rub resistance is a question of through curing retaining clip. Both printed label and substrate should
or reactivity of an ink film. Rubbing off or scratching off be facing each other ink side to substrate surface.
describes the damage of an ink surface by mechanical 5. Set up the machine to 100 moves per minute
influence, e.g. two labelled bottles rubbing against each 6. Set the machine to 25 cycles and press start
other during transport. 7. At the end of the cycles, observe the labels for ink rub
Scratch or rub resistance describes the mechanical of or scratch of.
resistance of an ink or varnish surface. 8. If ink rub of or scratch of is present, repeat the test
after the following improvement trials using fresh
printed labels for every trial:
test equipment • decrease printing speed or
• add suitable photo initiator to the UV ink if
Ink Rub Tester by Testing Machines Inc. available
www.testingmachines.com • choose an anilox roll with less volume as long as
colour shade is still sufficient or
Heating cabinet. • add 5% of blending varnish as long as colour
shade is still sufficient
• replace UV bulb
• clean up UV lamp reflector

It is important to do the tests step by step to expose the

real cause of bad rub or scratch resistance. If the problem
cannot be solved 100% at any test take a second sample
and repeat the related test with the best result after 2 h in
an oven at 40°C – 104°F or 8 h at room temperature 21°C
– 70°F*. If the problem persists change the batch of ink. If
Pictures 1+2: Ink Rub Tester there is still no improvement contact the ink supplier.
FINAT TECHNICAL HANDBOOK 2014 |

*N.B. The radical UV system has an element of post

test pieces cure, which can take up to 24 hours.
 
Printed labels should be fresh from the press.
Blank substrate should be from the same real currently is
printed on.

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results remark
To give an impression of good and bad test results please For sure the ink surface will be scratched by this test
look at the following pictures. method also if there is a proper curing (Level 1). But it
should not be scratched of (please view picture 3)! Level 1
is always that one to be achieved.
Depending on the substrate quality also this can be
scratched by this test method (please view picture 4).
If the ink should be peeled of by this test than ink adhesion
is an issue together with poor reactivity (picture 5).

silicone in inks
If inks consist of silicone this migrates to the surface and
Picture 3: Slightly scratched ink surface: sufficient result works like a lubrication. Then a rub resistance test can
end in a “faked” good result. Silicone residues should be
carefully wiped of with a 70% isopropyl alcohol before
starting this test.

note
This test is to be repeated with ink side to ink side if
required. Then also the sample on the rubber bed should
have an ink coverage all over the test area.
If wet rub resistance shall be checked repeat the test with
Picture 4: Substrate in comparison: surface is scratched a drop of water applied onto the sample mounted on the
rubber bed on the right hand side of the Ink Rub Tester.

combination printing
In cases of combining water born inks with a UV Flexo
overprint varnish it is reasonable to set up the test as a
wet rub resistance test. Then beside damage of the varnish
surface ink bleeding can be the indicator for bad curing of
the overprint varnish. If ink bleeding occurs not only the
curing of the overprint varnish might be insufficient but also
Picture 5: Bad rub resistance caused by bad ink reactivity or through the curing/drying of the waterborne ink. Then the curing of
curing. Ink can be scratched and rubbed easily. ink and varnish should be checked individually.

Rating scale Required material

Level 1: Slightly scratched surface < 5% damage, no • pipette
scratch off, no rub off, no substrate visible • water
FINAT TECHNICAL HANDBOOK 2014 |

Level 2: Scratched of ink film or rubbed of ink film, • L abels und substrate as described on page two in
< 10% substrate visible chapter “test pieces”
Level 3: Scratched of ink film or rubbed of ink film,
10 - 30% substrate visible * 1 lb = 453.6 g
Level 4: Scratched of ink film or rubbed of ink film, Issued October 2008
30 - 60% substrate visible
Level 5: Scratched of ink film or rubbed of ink film,
> 60% substrate visible

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