Printcolor Series 784 Silicone Free - Pad Printing Ink
Technical Information & APPLICATIONS
Printcolor’s Silicone-Free 784 Pad Printing Ink is a state-of-the-art, quick-drying, 2-component ink system specifically engineered for exterior automotive applications. Renowned for its high gloss, exceptional abrasion resistance, and superior chemical and weather durability, this specialized ink meets the rigorous demands of the automotive industry.
Formulated without silicone, the Silicone-Free 784 Series is ideal for challenging substrates such as aluminum alloy wheels, engine covers, automotive badges, and nameplates. It features unique pigments developed for unmatched fade resistance, ensuring vibrant and long-lasting prints even in harsh outdoor environments. Widely adopted by leading OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, this ink series exceeds industry standards for durability and performance.
The Silicone-Free 784 Series is perfectly suited for technical and decorative applications, delivering consistent, precise results on coated and metallic surfaces. Its advanced formulation and compatibility with auxiliary agents like thinners, accelerators, and hardeners enable seamless integration into high-demand production workflows. Whether printing bold graphics on automotive components or intricate designs on exterior trims, Printcolor’s Silicone-Free 784 Pad Printing Ink provides the reliability and quality needed for modern automotive manufacturing.
Printcolor Series 784 Silicone Free - MADE IN SWITZERLAND
Silicone-Free 2-Component Pad Printing Ink for Metals, Plastics, and Automotive Parts
The Printcolor Silicone-Free 784 Series is a high-performance, quick-drying 2-component pad printing ink system specifically formulated for the automotive industry. With a high-gloss finish and exceptional abrasion resistance, it is designed to meet the most demanding requirements of exterior automotive applications. This ink provides outstanding chemical, weather, and water durability, making it the ideal choice for challenging substrates like aluminum alloy wheels, engine covers, automotive badges, and nameplates. This specialized ink series features unique pigments developed for superior fade resistance, ensuring vibrant and long-lasting prints even under extreme outdoor conditions. Widely used by OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, the Silicone-Free 784 Series is tailored for critical automotive needs and surpasses industry standards for performance and durability. From intricate graphics on engine components to bold branding on exterior trims, the Silicone-Free 784 Series delivers consistent, precise, and durable results. Its advanced formulation supports seamless integration into production workflows, with compatibility across a range of auxiliary agents like thinners, accelerators, and hardeners. Whether for technical markings or decorative applications, Printcolor’s Silicone-Free 784 Series Pad Printing Ink sets a new standard in automotive printing.
Recommended Substrates
| Substrate | Rating | Hints |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic Glass (Casted PMMA) | ★★★★★ | |
| ABS, SAN, Copolymers | ★★★★ | |
| Coated Surfaces / Powder Coatings | ★★★★★ | |
| Duroplasts | ★★★★★ | |
| Metal | ★★★★ | |
| PET-A | ★★★★ | |
| Polyamide (PA) | ★★★★★ | |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | ★★★★★ | |
| Polyester, Non Pre-Treated | ★★★ | |
| Polyethylene (PE), Pre-Treated | ★★★★★ | |
| Polypropylene (PP), Pre-Treated | ★★★★★ | |
| Tritan™ (Copolyester) | ★★★★★ | |
| Polystyrene (PS), Glossy | ★★★★ | |
| Polystyrene (PS), Injection-Molded Parts of Acrylic Glass | ★★★★★ | |
| Polystyrene (PS), Mat | ★★★★ | |
| Rigid PVC | ★★★★★ |
Legend: ★★★★★ Very well suited | ★★★ Detailed pre-tests necessary
Resistance Characteristics
| Feature | Rating | Hints |
|---|---|---|
| Abrasion Resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Alcohol and Gasoline Resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Drying | ★★★★ | Ink film is quickly surface dry |
| Flexibility | ★★★ | |
| Gloss | ★★★★★ | Highly glossy |
| Light Fastness | ★★★ | |
| Pigmentation | ★★★★★ | |
| Resistance to Hand Sweat | ★★★★★ | |
| Temperature Resistance | ★★★★ | |
| Water Resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Weather Resistance | ★★★★★ |
Legend: ★★★★★ Very good product properties | n/a No information available
Product Range (MS Basic Colors)
| Article | Color | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 784-1006 | MS Light Yellow | HP, HR, SF |
| 784-1106 | MS Medium Yellow | HP, HR, SF |
| 784-1156 | MS Dark Yellow | HP, HR, SF |
| 784-1856 | MS Pure Orange | HP, HR, SF |
| 784-2956 | MS Red | HP, HL, HR, SF |
| 784-3306 | MS Magenta | HP, HL, SF |
| 784-4006 | MS Violet | HP, HL, SF |
| 784-5006 | MS Blue | HP, HL, SF |
| 784-6006 | MS Green | HP, HL, SF |
| 784-8006 | MS Black | HP, HL, SF |
| 784-9006 | MS White | HP, HD, HL, SF |
HP: Highly Pigmented HD: Highly Opaque HL: Highly Lightfast HR: Highly Thermo-Resistant SF: Silicone-Free
Other Colors
| Article | Color | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 784-33/06 | ST Black | SF |
| 784-00/745 | ST White, Extra Heat Resistant | SF |
| Special Colors | Pantone®, HKS, RAL, and after customer samples |
SF: Silicone-Free
Auxiliaries
- Thinner: Series 700-017 (15-30% by weight)
- Thinner (free of PAH): Series 700-037 (15-30% by weight)
- Retarder*: Series 700-018 (5-20% by weight)
- Accelerator: Series 700-019 (15-30% by weight)
- Accelerator (Fast, free of PAH): Series 700-041 (15-30% by weight)
* Blended with Series 700-017
Hardener
- Series 700-HDA:
- Application: Universal use for various substrates, including duroplasts, aluminum, and sheet metals
- Addition Ratio: 4:1
- Reactivity: Medium reactivity from 20°C
- Resistance Against Chemicals: Very good
- Outdoor Resistance: Very good
- Series 700-HDS:
- Application: Extra-resistant for various substrates, including duroplasts, aluminum, and sheet metals
- Addition Ratio: 4:1
- Reactivity: Medium reactivity from 23°C
- Resistance Against Chemicals: Excellent
- Outdoor Resistance: Excellent
- Series 700-HDI:
- Application: Fast-drying for various substrates, including duroplasts, aluminum, and sheet metals
- Addition Ratio: 4:1
- Reactivity: High reactivity from 15°C
- Resistance Against Chemicals: Good
- Outdoor Resistance: Not recommended
Common Applications
- Technical Components: Printed control panels for industrial machinery; keypads and switches with durable markings; electronics casings for devices like remote controls or home appliances; tools or instruments with printed scales or measurement indicators.
- Automotive Parts: Pad-printed logos and emblems on alloy wheels; printed markings under the hood, such as oil caps or engine covers; dashboard components, including buttons and knobs; exterior automotive parts like side mirrors or fuel tank covers with decorative graphics.
- Childcare Articles: Printed designs or labels on baby bottles or sippy cups; toys with durable, non-toxic pad-printed designs; plastic feeding utensils or plates with decorative markings; safety gear like helmets or protective pads for kids.
- Rotary Pad Printing (Caps): Beverage bottle caps with branded or decorative prints; cosmetic jar lids with printed logos or product details; printed closures for industrial or household chemicals; medical vial caps with safety instructions or branding.
Curing
- Recommended Curing: Curing of the ink system depends on the temperature, the used hardeners, and the layer thickness. A minimum temperature (see point “hardener”) over a period of 5 to 10 days must be guaranteed to reach maximum resistance. By increasing temperature, the ink film cures more quickly, and chemical resistance is reached sooner and higher.
- Series 700-HDA: 7 days (at minimum temperature)
- Series 700-HDS: 10 days (at minimum temperature)
- Series 700-HDI: 5 days (at minimum temperature)
- Forced Drying: From 20 minutes at 140°C up to 60 minutes at 80°C
Processing
- Drying: Drying of Series 784 depends on the layer thickness as well as on the substrate. Usual parameters are:
- Air: Physically drying
- Dryer: Oven, IR-dryer, or continuous dryer
- Pot Life: MS colors and its blends have a pot life of 4-8 hours, depending on the hardeners used and environmental conditions. Metallic colors may have a significantly shorter pot life.
- Cleaning: Use Neo-Solv 114
Additional Information
- Delivery: In stock in 1 kg containers. Also available by special order in 5 kg or 25 kg containers.
- Certificates: Refer to ISO 9001:2015.
Special Features & Tips
- Adhesion on Non-Pretreated PP: Adhesion can be improved by the addition of Series 700-PP (20% by weight). In this case, the ink must be used as a 2C ink.
- Detail Reproduction and Printability: Series 784 convinces with excellent detail reproduction and printability.
For the full technical document, please refer to the Technical Data Sheet.