Struggling with ink that wipes off or won’t stick? This guide helps you get better adhesion on challenging materials like rubber, HDPE, and oily metals.
Common tough surfaces
-
HDPE plastic (shampoo bottles, jerry cans)
-
Rubber hoses or tyres
-
Greasy metal parts
-
Coated cardboard or plastic films
Ways to improve adhesion
| Action | Impact |
|---|---|
| Use high-adhesion or oil-penetrating ink | Designed to bond through surface films |
| Pre-treat surface (wipe or heat) | Removes residue or moisture |
| Lower line speed slightly | Allows more drying/contact time |
| Increase printhead proximity (2–5 mm) | Reduces drop scatter and overspray |
| Test with different drying agents | Acetone/ethanol bases dry faster than MEK on some surfaces |