Arcoflex AQ Paper and Board Flexo Inks
Arcoflex AQ is a water-based acrylic emulsion flexo ink range for kraft, coated and uncoated board and corrugated post-print. It is formulated for print density on absorbent kraft and recycled grades with negligible VOC emission.
Grade Arcoflex AQ | Range Printing Inks for Flexible Packaging | Technology Water-based acrylic emulsion, low VOC
Technical Data Sheet
Arcoflex AQ
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
Arcoflex AQ is a water-based acrylic emulsion flexo ink range for kraft, coated and uncoated board and corrugated post-print. It is formulated for print density on absorbent kraft and recycled grades with negligible VOC emission.
2. Features
- Negligible VOC emission, with no solvent recovery or abatement required
- Print density on absorbent kraft and recycled grades
- Rub resistance suited to bags and cases handled in distribution
- Low foaming for stable pump and chamber operation
- Resoluble on press and washes up with plain water while wet
3. Recommended uses
Paper carrier bags, grocery and cement sacks, folding cartons, corrugated post-print cases and e-commerce mailers printed on stack, CI or corrugated flexo presses. Not intended for direct food contact, plastic film, or wet and high-humidity end uses without a protective varnish.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Water-based acrylic emulsion, low VOC | Formulation |
| Physical form | Liquid water-based flexo ink, supplied as finished ink or as a concentrate system | Visual |
| Colour range | Heavy-metal-free organic and inorganic colours, opaque whites and a reducing medium; special shades matched to a supplied reference sample | Against the approved reference sample; customer or supplier protocol |
| Binder system | Water-based acrylic emulsion | Formulation data |
| Carrier and reducer | Water; reduce with soft water, with a small alcohol addition only where specified | Formulation data |
| Printing viscosity | Typically 18 to 24 s | Ford Cup B4 (4 mm) at 25 °C; customer or supplier protocol |
| pH | 8.5 to 9.5, maintained with the recommended amine stabiliser | Glass electrode pH meter; customer or supplier protocol |
| Drying mechanism | Absorption and evaporation, with hot air where fitted | Formulation data |
| Rub resistance | Suited to bags and cases handled in distribution; to be confirmed on the job substrate | ASTM D5264 (Sutherland rub tester) |
Typical values, not a specification. Values for each batch are given on its Certificate of Analysis.
5. Application
| Parameter | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Printing method | Flexography on stack, CI or corrugated post-print presses |
| Surface preparation | Kraft, coated and uncoated board and corrugated liner as supplied; validate the density target on absorbent kraft before the run. Coated grades give higher gloss and density |
| Reduction | Reduce with soft water in small steps, as viscosity falls quickly, and check viscosity and pH together at the start of the run and at intervals; correct a pH drift back to 8.5 to 9.5 with the recommended amine stabiliser, not with water. If over-reduced, do not add more water; refill with fresh ink and use the over-reduced ink as an addition component |
| Anilox and impression | Anilox cell volume controls ink film weight and colour strength; run a kiss impression, and control impression on corrugated to avoid crushing flutes |
| Drying | Absorption and evaporation; air volume and velocity matter as much as temperature. Keep the duct or pump container covered to limit loss of water and amine |
| Press hygiene | Keep the anilox or cylinder turning during stoppages and wash plates immediately; wet ink washes up with plain water, dried-in ink needs a proprietary water-based cleaner |
| Overcoat | Apply a protective varnish where the end use is wet or high humidity |
6. Storage and handling
Store in tightly sealed original containers between 10 and 30 °C, away from solvents, UV light and high temperature, and protect from freezing, which irreversibly breaks the emulsion; keep containers closed to limit loss of water and amine. Shelf life is stated on the label and Certificate of Analysis. Handle and use the product in line with its Safety Data Sheet.
7. Safety and regulatory information
Read the Safety Data Sheet before use. Safety Data Sheets and regulatory declarations are issued by our technical centre against the product and batch supplied, so they are sent on request rather than published. Request a Safety Data Sheet or declaration.
This Technical Data Sheet is published for on-screen reference. The information is given in good faith from laboratory and application experience and describes typical values; it is not a specification and does not replace a trial on your own substrate and line. Arctic Materials may revise this sheet without notice. Issue 2026.09.
Technical Data Sheets on this site are for on-screen viewing. For a controlled copy, write to tech@arcticmaterials.com.
Other ink ranges
Need a Safety Data Sheet, a regulatory declaration or a grade specified to your line? Contact our technical centre.