Printcolor Series 786 - Pad Printing Ink
Technical Information & APPLICATIONS
Printcolor’s Series 786 Pad Printing Ink represents a groundbreaking advancement in pad printing technology, delivering exceptional performance, safety, and environmental responsibility. This quick-drying, 2-component ink system builds upon the success of the Series 784 while incorporating the latest in safe and eco-friendly raw materials.
Renowned for its high gloss, outstanding abrasion resistance, and superior opacity, Series 786 meets the stringent requirements of industries such as automotive, childcare, and cosmetics. It is the ideal solution for challenging substrates, including automotive components, toys, baby bottles, poly bottle caps, and plastic wine sleeves. Compliant with the EN 71-3:2013 standard for toy safety, the ink ensures low emissions, making it suitable for printing on childcare products and toys.
Designed to protect both people and the environment, Series 786 is fully compliant with GHS labeling requirements, free of PAH and halogens, and includes substances listed under the Swiss Ordinance on Materials and Articles (SR 817.023.21). Its innovative formulation ensures vibrant, long-lasting prints that stand up to chemical exposure, wear, and environmental conditions.
Engineered for technical and decorative applications, Series 786 offers seamless compatibility with auxiliary agents like thinners and hardeners, making it easy to integrate into demanding production workflows. Whether producing durable prints on automotive components or intricate designs on consumer products, Printcolor’s Series 786 Pad Printing Ink delivers the safety, performance, and reliability required for today’s printing challenges.
Printcolor Series 786 - MADE IN SWITZERLAND
Eco-Friendly Pad Printing Ink for Automotive, Childcare, and Consumer Products
The Printcolor 786 Series is a next-generation, quick-drying, 2-component pad printing ink system designed for a wide range of industries, including automotive, childcare, and consumer goods. With a highly glossy finish, exceptional abrasion resistance, and superior opacity, this advanced ink meets the most stringent requirements for both technical and decorative applications. Formulated with safety and sustainability in mind, the 786 Series is free of PAH and halogens and complies fully with the Swiss Ordinance on Materials and Articles (SR 817.023.21). Its environmentally conscious design also meets EN 71-3:2013 standards, ensuring safe use for pad printing on toys, baby bottles, and pacifiers. This versatile ink delivers vibrant, long-lasting prints on challenging substrates such as automotive components, cosmetic packaging, poly bottle caps, and plastic wine sleeves. Engineered for reliability and operator safety, the 786 Series features the latest in safe, advanced raw materials, removing substances previously used in earlier formulations. Its outstanding performance and compatibility with auxiliary agents like thinners, accelerators, and hardeners make it an excellent choice for modern production workflows. Whether printing precise technical markings or vibrant decorative designs, the Printcolor 786 Series offers unparalleled quality, sustainability, and performance.
Recommended Substrates
| Substrate | Rating | Hints |
|---|---|---|
| ABS, SAN, Copolymers | ★★★★ | |
| Acrylic Glass (Casted PMMA) | ★★★★★ | |
| Coated Surfaces / Powder Coatings | ★★★★★ | |
| Duroplasts | ★★★★ | |
| Metal | ★★★★ | |
| PET-A | ★★★★ | |
| Polyamide (PA) | ★★★★★ | |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | ★★★★★ | |
| Polyester, Non Pre-Treated | ★★★ | |
| Polyethylene (PE), Pre-Treated | ★★★★★ | |
| Polypropylene (PP), Pre-Treated | ★★★★★ | |
| Polystyrene (PS), Glossy | ★★★★ | |
| Polystyrene (PS), Injection-Molded Parts of Acrylic Glass | ★★★★★ | |
| Polystyrene (PS), Mat | ★★★★ | |
| Rigid PVC | ★★★★★ | |
| Tritan™ (Copolyester) | ★★★★★ |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 786-1005 | MS Light Yellow | HP, HF, PF, HD |
| 786-1005/HD | MS Light Yellow (High Opaque) | HP, HF, PF, HD |
| 786-1105 | MS Medium Yellow | HP, HF, PF |
| 786-1205 | MS Dark Yellow | HP, HF, PF |
| 786-2005 | MS Orange | HP, HF, PF |
| 786-3005 | MS Red | HP, HF, PF |
| 786-3005/HD | MS Red (High Opaque) | HP, HF, PF, HD |
| 786-3105 | MS Magenta Red | HP, HF, PF |
| 786-3305 | MS Magenta | HP, HF, PF |
| 786-4005 | MS Violet | HP, HF, PF |
| 786-5005 | MS Blue | HP, HF, PF |
| 786-5005/HD | MS Blue (High Opaque) | HP, HF, PF, HD |
| 786-6005 | MS Green | HP, HF, PF |
| 786-6005/HD | MS Green (High Opaque) | HP, HF, PF, HD |
| 786-6015 | MS Green | HP, HF, PF |
| 786-8005 | MS Black | HP, HF, PF |
| 786-9005 | MS White | HP, HF, PF |
HP: High Pigmented HF: Free of Halogen PF: Free of PAH HD: Highly Opaque
Other Colors
| Article | Color | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 786-00 | ST White | HF, PF |
| 786-00/HD | ST White, Highly Opaque | HF, PF |
| 786-04 | Transparent Paste | HF, PF |
| 786-05 | ST Varnish | HF, PF |
| 786-05/MT | ST Varnish, Mat | HF, PF |
| 786-33 | ST Black | HF, PF |
| 786-33/B | ST Black, Intensive | HF, PF |
| 786-100 | ST Silver | HF, PF |
| 786-100/HG | ST High Gloss Silver | HF, PF |
| 786-103 | ST Rich Pale Gold | HF, PF |
| 786-103/HG | ST High Gloss Rich Pale Gold | HF, PF |
| 786-200 | ST Pearlescent | HF, PF |
| 786-02299 | ST Silver Coarse | HF, PF |
| 786-0950 | ST Process Cyan | HF, PF |
| 786-0960 | ST Process Yellow | HF, PF |
| 786-0970 | ST Process Magenta | HF, PF |
| 786-0980 | ST Process Black | HF, PF |
| 786-UL09/05 | UV Luminescent Yellow | n/a, PF |
| 786-UL16/05 | UV Luminescent Red | n/a, PF |
| 786-UL26/05 | UV Luminescent Blue | n/a, PF |
| 786-UL30/05 | UV Luminescent Green | n/a, PF |
| 786-PHQ47 | Phosphorescent Green | HF, PF |
| Special Colors | Pantone®, HKS, RAL, and after customer samples |
HF: Halogen-Free PF: PAH-Free n/a: Not Applicable
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 (Free of PAH): Series 700-039 (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
- Various: Halogen and PAH free
- 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
- Various: Halogen and PAH free
- Series 700-HDG:
- Application: Fast-drying for various substrates, including duroplasts, aluminum, and sheet metals
- Addition Ratio: 4:1
- Reactivity: Medium reactivity from 20°C
- Resistance Against Chemicals: Good to very good
- Outdoor Resistance: Very good
- Various: Halogen and PAH free
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-HDG: 5-6 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
- Printing of Toys and Childcare Articles: With the raw materials used the limits of EN 71-3:2013 are complied with. Please note that it is mandatory to analyze the printed end product. The responsibility for compliance with the legal requirements lies with the toymaker. Due to the special components of the pigments, metallic color shades, phosphorescent inks and highly opaque chromatic inks do not fulfill the requirements of EN 71-3:2013 standards. Detailed information: Pad Printing Inks for Toys.
- Swiss Ordinance on Materials and Articles: All materials of the series 786 are listed in the Swiss Ordinance on Materials and Articles (SR 817.023.21).
- 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 786 convinces with excellent detail reproduction and printability.
For the full technical document, please refer to the Technical Data Sheet.