Mastering White Ink Techniques in Cylindrical Printing

Introduction

White ink is the secret weapon of professional cylindrical printers. Whether you’re printing on dark, colored, or transparent surfaces, white ink unlocks the full potential of your color designs. But to use it effectively, you need the right setup, layering strategy, and curing process. This guide breaks down how to master white ink techniques for stunning, high-contrast cylindrical prints.

1. Why White Ink Matters

- Acts as a base layer under CMYK to enhance color vibrancy
- Essential for printing on transparent, colored, or metallic items
- Helps separate graphics from the surface texture

2. Types of White Ink Layers

- **Flood White:** Covers entire print area beneath the design
- **Spot White:** Applied only under specific design elements
- **Selective White:** Dynamically assigned using RIP software based on image areas

3. Preparing Artwork with White Ink in Mind

- Create a separate white layer in your design software
- Use 100% black to indicate white ink in the RIP
- Avoid unnecessary white fill on already white surfaces (to save ink)

4. Managing White Ink Density

- Adjust density for material type (e.g., glass vs PET)
- Too much white may cause cracking; too little may reduce opacity
- Test with different underbase thicknesses before final runs

5. Curing Considerations

- White ink is thicker and may require longer UV curing
- Use higher intensity UV or slower curing speed for adhesion
- Watch for tackiness, which means curing is incomplete

6. Creative White Ink Effects

- Use layered white under spot varnish for raised effects
- Combine with gradients for frosted-glass looks
- Create high-end packaging with white overprint on metallic substrates

Conclusion

White ink gives your cylindrical prints power, precision, and pop. When applied strategically and cured correctly, it transforms flat designs into bold, eye-catching wraps that work on any surface. Get it right, and every print becomes a masterpiece.

⚪ Want vibrant colors on any material? Our cylindrical printer offers precision white layering with stunning clarity.