Bopp Printing Film | Printable Bopp film - Kingchuan Packaging

Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) films are frontrunners in the food packaging space, thanks to their exceptional moisture barrier properties. Foods that are sensitive to moisture require an adequate barrier to retain their crispiness and maintain shelf life.

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Even better, BOPP films are biodegradable and completely non-toxic, making them eco-friendly. The best part, these films are inexpensive and substantially reduce overall cost. In addition, BOPP films have made handling, containments, and shipping of foods effortless, from pouches to packages.

But there’s more to it. Companies and brands are actively digging ways to improve the aesthetic appeal of BOPP films so that the packaged product looks as good as it tastes. Since it’s the package and its aesthetics that directly hits the customer, a lot goes into the final outlook of BOPP films. Factors like ease of use, user-friendliness, brand identification, film quality, and print are crucial from the customer’s standpoint.

So even though the film has all it needs to sustain perishable products, it’s the final print that means the most. This is where BOPP printing comes in. Understanding how BOPP films are printed, the different technologies used to print these films can help better understand what method works best based on film properties, budget, design, and graphics.

Read on to find more about the printing processes for BOPP films.

Printing Processes for BOPP Films

BOPP film can be printed with one or more of the following processes. Each of these uses unique technology and serves a particular purpose.

Flexographic Printing

Flexographic printing uses flexography, a famous printing technology that uses a flexible printing plate. In fact, flexography is by far the most widely used print technology in the label industry. It has evolved through the years. Modern flexographic machines employ flexible photopolymer printing plates that are wrapped around cylinders onto a web press. Both water-based inks and UV inks can be used with these printing plates. These plates rotate at high speeds, transferring the ink through tiny holes to the film. Newer flexographic printing machines enliven texts, graphics, and images and print at a high line count.

Pros

• Flexographic printing is a high-speed process and is ideal for long printing runs
• It is suitable for a range of substrate materials
• The process requires minimum time to set-up
• It causes minimum waste during printing
• Multi-purpose system as it does printing, varnishing, laminating, and die-cutting in one go
• Modern flexographic printing methods are fully controlled and require less operator on board
• Produces high quality print
• The equipment requires minimum maintenance
• It requires inexpensive equipment

Cons

• Overall, the estimated price of flexographic printing plates is higher than other printing forms. However, with adequate maintenance, these plates can last for a very long time.

Rotogravure Printing

Rotogravure printing utilizes the traditional rotatory print technique to print on BOPP films. This method revolves around printing directly on a cylinder, plate, or any similar substance. The imprint is then transferred onto the final substrate, which in this case, is the BOPP film. Rotogravure printing is highly popular in large-scale commercial printing of BOPP-film pouches and containers.

Pros

• The production speed of rotogravure printing gives it an edge over other printing methods. Rotogravure printing has the ability to reach a very high speed.
• The print quality of images and graphics with this method is consistent.
• The print cylinders used in the rotogravure printing method can be repeated several times.

Cons

• The start-up cost of the rotogravure printing method is exceptionally high, and a very high print output is needed to make up for the initial investment.
• The preparation time of cylinders is time-consuming as it requires a specific skill set.

Digital Printing

Digital printing of BOPP films is based on the ink-jet print method. However, unlike other printing methods, the images and graphics in digital printing are directly transferred onto the BOPP film substrate. Due to this, digital printing can cater to a wide range of audiences and is also super fast. What’s more, digital printing does not require any cardboard inserts or labels.

Pros

• Suitable for printing dynamic content for a different group of audiences.
• It is a fast process.
• Digital printing requires lower inventory to get started.
• The technique minimizes waste production.

Cons

• The final print is not as durable as that achieved by flexographic and rotogravure printing.
• Pricing is fixed in digital printing, and bulk printing does not help reduce overall cost.
• It is not suitable for producing white colored prints.

Nanoimprint Lithography

Conventionally, lithography has been used for label printing. The process relies on the oil-based printing method, and the labels printed with lithography are then used for pasting on flexible films. Recent technological advancements in the lithography printing method have given rise to large area roll to roll nanoimprint lithography.

In this method, BOPP films are imprinted with high-quality holographic images when used at a definite temperature. Ideally, an optimum embossing temperature of around 110C, an embossing force of 6 kg/cm2, and a film speed of 32m/min have produced quality images. The method is still being considered for use on large-scale BOPP film printing.

Pros

• Produces high-quality holographic images

Cons

• It requires strict control of embossing temperature to avoid the thermal shrinkage of BOPP films.

Conclusion

Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene Films are the most common packaging films out there. They are used for packaging a host of different food and non-food products. As more and more brands are focusing on improving the visual outlook of products, the demand for high-quality prints on flexible films has also risen. Methods like flexographic and rotogravure printing have long been used to print on BOPP films, and flexography still remains the most widely used method. Finally, Digital printing and Nanoimprint lithography are relatively newer approaches that have not made their way into commercial scale printing.

Biaxial-oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films are a significant factor of modern packaging solutions, finding various applications across several industries due to their increased features and flexibility. BOPP films are manufactured by enlarging polypropylene film both in the machine direction and across the machine direction, which increases their strength, clearness, and barrier features. This article explores into the different applications of BOPP films, highlighting their crucial role in modern packaging and beyond.

Food Packaging

One of the major applications of BOPP printed film is in the food packaging industry. These films are favored for their outstanding moisture barrier features, which help in conserving the freshness and spreading the shelf life of food products. The high clearness and gloss of BOPP films also make them perfect for showcasing the item inside, making them widespread for packaging snacks, confectionery, baked goods, and fresh products.

Key Advantages in Food Packaging:

Barrier Protection: BOPP printed film safeguard against dampness, oxygen, and odors, keeping the quality of food items.

Graphic Appeal: The film’s high clearness and gloss increases the product’s visual appeal on retail shelves.

Printability: BOPP films are effortlessly printable, enabling for vibrant and high-resolution graphics that entice shoppers.

Labeling

BOPP films are widely utilized in the labeling enterprises. They deliver a stable, eye-catching, and cost-effective choice for labeling a broad range of items. Their outstanding printability and adhesion features make them appropriate for both pressure-sensitive labels and wrap-around brands.

Key Advantages in Labeling:

Adaptability: Appropriate for different kinds of labels, containing clear, white, and metallized labels, BOPP films proposes adaptability in branding and item information display.

Industrial Applications

In the industrial sector, BOPP film printings are utilized for laminating items, which increases the durability and performance of different items. They are also utilized in adhesive tapes, where their strength and clarity are beneficial.

Key Advantages in Industrial Applications:

Strength and Sturdiness: BOPP films deliver superior tensile strength, making them perfect for needing industrial uses.

Protection: When utilized in laminates, BOPP films safeguards printed fabrics from wear and tear, increasing the life of the item.

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Fabric and Apparel Packaging

The fabric and apparel industry uses BOPP films for packaging clothing and accessories. The film safeguards the items from dust, moisture, and harm during shipping and transportation.

Key Advantages in Textile Packaging:

Clearness: High clearness films enable buyers to view the product without opening the item, increasing the shopping experience.

Protection: A Printing on BOPP film proposes exceptional safety against environmental aspects, assuring the quality of fabric items is preserved.

Medicinal Packaging

In the pharmaceutical enterprises, BOPP films are utilized to package medicines, medical devices, and other healthcare items. Their barrier features are important in safeguarding sensitive items from contagion and degradation.

Key Advantages in Pharmaceutical Packaging:

Safety and Hygiene: BOPP films deliver a hygienic shield that safeguards pharmaceutical items from external pollutants.

Regulatory Compliance: These films can be produced to fulfill strict regulatory criteria required for pharmaceutical packaging.

Packaging Queen BOPP Film

BOPP is also known as the “packaging queen” in the packaging film enterprises. It plays a crucial role in the adaptable packaging industry. Since the end of the s, the kind of BOPP has also been endlessly enhanced, adding luster to the world of plastics.

Polypropylene films that are strained in cross directions and machine are named as Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) films. BOPP has received incredible admiration as a high-growth film as it is an outstanding fence for water vapor, functions as a barrier to greases and oil, can be recycled, and is not affected by climate changes. The various kinds of BOPP films include heat sealable, pearlized, thermal lamination, glossy, matte, and printable film. BOPP film manufacturers prioritize films with the increased quality standards and layouts for higher performance.

The biodegradability and non-toxic aspects of BOPP films make it one of the most eco-friendly films on the market. With the developing awareness about environmental and pollution issues, it is more crucial than ever to consider such worries.

Key Highlights

Printing on BOPP films are progressively adopted in the fields of applications like packaging, labeling, and lamination. These films are the favorite substrate for food packaging worldwide, owing to their inherent dampness barrier properties and sealability. Over the last few years, the requirement for BOPP film has enhanced to 3.5% per annum. The requirement for flexible packaging has boosted BOPP film.

Innovations in BOPP Films

Recycled Packaging

Packaging must accomplish various criteria to be recycled, containing separability, labeling, coloring, and sanitation. BOPP filmmakers are trying to fulfill these criteria with innovative package designs and by delivering recyclable items.

The Bioplastics Revolution

Another priority is utilizing superior biopolymers as a substitute for fossil-fuel-based fabric. They help in reducing production’s carbon footprint, which has substantial inferences for sustainability.

The Impact of the Customer of BOPP film printing

Concerning boosting the sturdiness of packaging fabrics, communicating with consumers about the best method to utilize and reuse packaging is equally important. Your efforts to create sustainable packaging will pay off when consumers are conversant about utilizing, managing, and recycling packaging.

Conclusion: A Multipurpose Packaging film in a nutshell

BOPP films continue to develop to fulfill the dynamic requirements of the packaging industry, proposing an extensive array of categories, applications, and innovative solutions. From plain films to high-barrier and bio-based choices, BOPP films play an important role in increasing product visibility, shelf life, and sustainability across different sectors. As technology advances and sustainability concerns grow, the future of BOPP films lies in continuous improvement, driving towards eco-friendly, functional, and high-performance packaging choices.

BOPP films are omnipresent daily, though their presence frequently goes unnoticed. Due to their excellent features and versatility, BOPP films have revolutionized the packaging enterprises and become essential in different sectors. From food packaging to industrial applications, BOPP films play a important role. This blog post discovers the types of BOPP films. We hope this blog will help you find a great stretchy packaging solution in various sectors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the future of Bopp film?
The worldwide BOPP films market size is predictable to rise from USD 24.26 billion in to USD 31.42 billion by , at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.3% during the estimate year.

Is Bopp waterproof?
BOPP is waterproof and sturdier than our paper materials, making it a countless choice for any indoor application.