Analysis and Solutions for Color Fading in Hydrographic Printing

Color fading in hydrographic printing is not inevitable. Pattern durability depends on post-processing, usage environment, and material properties. Key insights are structured as follows:

1. Core Factors Affecting Color Fastness Pattern stability relies on the "ink-substrate-topcoat" triad:

• Substrate Pretreatment Oil residues/oxide layers weaken adhesion Case study: Plastic parts with residual mold release agents show peeling within 3 months
• Protective Coating Performance Inferior varnishes (cracking/chalking) or inadequate curing accelerate ink degradation Dongguan Caiyide Solution: UV-curable coatings (≥3H hardness) for outdoor use; flexible PU varnish for indoor products
• Ink-Substrate Compatibility Acid-resistant inks for metal (anti-sweat corrosion) UV-blocking inks essential for automotive parts

2. Common Fading Scenarios & Causes

3. Anti-Fading System Solutions

1. Enhanced Substrate Prep

   • Metal: Sandblasting (Sa2.5) + acid pickling
   • Plastic: Dongguan Caiyide specialized cleaner + 800-grit sanding (creates micro-anchors)

2. Material & Process Upgrade

   • Ink selection:
     • Food-contact items → Non-toxic water-based inks (FDA-compliant)
     • Outdoor products → Dongguan Caiyide UV-resistant nano-inks (2000hr weatherability)
   • Dual-coating process:

Primer: Epoxy for adhesion -> Topcoat: UV-cure for abrasion resistance

3. Precision Curing Control

   Coating Type	Parameters	Quality Standard
   PU Varnish	70±5℃ for 30min	Pencil hardness ≥2H
   UV Coating	365nm wavelength for 90s	Cross-cut test 5B

4. Usage & Maintenance

   • Avoid storage >40℃
   • Clean with pH-neutral detergent (pH6-8) + microfiber cloth
   • Quarterly application of Dongguan Caiyide fluorinated protective wax (UV/water repellency) for outdoor items