UV Lacquer Adhesion - Autotex

1. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

All Autotex grades have been designed to accept over-printing with MacDermid Autotype’s Windotex range of UV curing varnishes. Windotex creates gloss and anti glare windows on the texture.

The Autotex hard coated surface is extremely inert and chemically resistant. It is normally impossible to achieve good adhesion onto this type of surface. In order to overcome this challenge, MacDermid Autotype developed REACTIVE SURFACE TECHNOLOGY.

The Autotex surface is modified using unique chemistry. The surface provides highly reactive key sites to which the Windotex products can bind. The strong chemical bonds formed between the Autotex and cured Windotex provide 100% permanent adhesion.

2. STABILITY OF REACTIVE SITES

The Autotex key sites are so highly reactive that exposure to air and even low levels of light cause a slow loss of Windotex receptivity. The normal packaging of the material prevents this deterioration.

When removed from the packaging and exposed to a normal print room atmosphere for up to 48 hours subsequent overprinting will give a 100% adhesion result. However, if left for longer than this, prior to printing, the Autotex surface may become completely inert. All Windotex receptivity will then be lost.

Figure 1 shows how the receptivity of Autotex changes with time. This data is based upon laboratory results. The actual rate of deterioration may vary according to the storage conditions used. The user must therefore perform tests to establish the useful life of the product under their own particular operating conditions.

3. PRINTING RECOMMENDATIONS

In order to achieve the best possible adhesion results, Windotex should be applied within 48 hours, preferably within 24 hours, of removing the Autotex from its packaging. When printing multi-coloured graphic inks, the Windotex should be applied as early in the process as possible preferably at the first or second printing operation. If it is necessary to store Autotex for longer periods between operations before applying Windotex the sheets should be stacked and wrapped, in this way the shelf life is considerably extended.

ONCE WINDOTEX HAS BEEN PRINTED AND CURED ONTO AUTOTEX THE ADHESIVE BOND IS PERMANENT AND WILL NOT DETERIORATE UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS.

These guidelines are valid for a single layer operation only. Please contact MacDermid Autotype for details on multi-layer printing.

Please note: Autotex is not compatible with Fototex. Windotex is not recommended for use with Autotex XE.