Haptone FL Flexographic Inks
Solvent-based nitrocellulose-polyurethane flexographic inks for Expanded Colour Gamut (CMYK plus orange, green and violet) and spot printing of labels on CI flexo presses. Formulated at high pigment loading and low supply viscosity so that target solid densities are reached from fine, low-volume aniloxes.
Grade Haptone FL | Range Printing Inks for Flexible Packaging | Technology Solvent-based modified nitrocellulose-polyurethane, reduced with n-propanol and n-propyl acetate
Technical Data Sheet
Haptone FL
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
Solvent-based nitrocellulose-polyurethane flexographic inks for Expanded Colour Gamut (CMYK plus orange, green and violet) and spot printing of labels on CI flexo presses. Formulated at high pigment loading and low supply viscosity so that target solid densities are reached from fine, low-volume aniloxes.
2. Features
- Fixed seven-colour ECG process set (CMYK plus OGV) with a constant colour position for the press profile
- Target densities reached from 1,000 to 1,200 lpi aniloxes at low ink film weight
- Press viscosity reached with 5 to 10 per cent reducer, so colour strength is not diluted on press
- Gloss, adhesion and water, condensation and scuff resistance on treated pearlised, white and transparent BOPP
- Complete label set: resist and spot colours, opaque label white, Nexasleeve White for shrink sleeves, reducing medium, silver, gold and two OPVs
3. Recommended uses
Surface printing of roll-fed wraparound and cut-and-stack labels for PET and glass beverage bottles and for food, home and personal-care containers, reverse-printed PVC and PET-G shrink sleeves backed with Nexasleeve White, and surface-printed CPP and PE hygiene packs protected with Medicoat Gloss High Scuff OPV. Not intended for direct food contact, adhesive lamination, returnable bottles washed in hot caustic unless confirmed by end-use testing, or pasteurised, retorted, microwaveable or ovenable packs.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Solvent-based modified nitrocellulose-polyurethane, reduced with n-propanol and n-propyl acetate | Formulation |
| Physical form | Liquid; ECG process set, spot and resist colours, label white, Nexasleeve shrink white, reducing medium, silver, gold and two OPVs | Visual |
| Solids content | 26 to 36 per cent for colours; 54 to 58 per cent for Nexasleeve White and Opaque White; 24 to 28 per cent for the Medicoat and Low Static Label OPVs | Non-volatile content, supplier protocol |
| Viscosity as supplied | 22 to 28 s, Ford Cup B4 (4 mm) at 25 °C | Ford Cup B4 (4 mm) at 25 °C; supplier protocol |
| Printing viscosity | 17 to 20 s, Ford Cup B4 (4 mm) at 25 °C, CI flexo | Ford Cup B4 (4 mm) at 25 °C; supplier protocol |
| Heat resistance | Up to 160 °C, ink film on BOPP | Heated jaw, 1 s at 1 bar; supplier protocol |
| Gloss | 55 GU or above at 60° on pearlised BOPP | 60° specular gloss, supplier protocol |
| Light fastness | 4 to 8 on the Blue Wool Scale (1 to 8, 8 highest), depending on shade; ECG cyan, black, green and violet 7 to 8 | ISO 12040 |
| Colour reference | Pantone Extended Gamut Coated Guide; ISO 12647-6 as process reference for the CMYK channels | Reference definition, not a test method; colour assessed against the approved reference to customer or supplier protocol |
Typical values, not a specification. Values for each batch are given on its Certificate of Analysis.
5. Application
| Parameter | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Method | CI flexography, ECG (CMYK plus OGV) and spot; surface print for labels and hygiene packs, reverse print for shrink sleeves |
| Surface preparation | Pearlised and transparent BOPP label film at 38 dynes/cm or above, 40 to 42 preferred; white BOPP, CPP and PE at 38 dynes/cm or above; PVC and PET-G shrink film per film supplier. Treatment level, slip additive and pearl density must be uniform reel to reel |
| Anilox and plates | Ceramic laser-engraved 60° hexagonal aniloxes, typically 1,000 to 1,200 lpi, with the same engraving on all seven process stations and volume verified every three months and after any cleaning; digital flat-top or HD photopolymer plates |
| Reduction | Stir thoroughly, then add 5 to 10 per cent of 80 / 20 n-propanol / n-propyl acetate to reach 17 to 20 s, Ford Cup B4 (4 mm) at 25 °C; one viscosity cup per printing unit |
| Reference press conditions | Screen ruling 150 to 175 lpi (60 to 70 l/cm), 133 lpi for coarse pearlised grades; minimum printing dot 1 to 2 per cent at 150 lpi with flat-top plates; kiss impression; target solid densities C 1.50, M 1.40, Y 1.00, K 1.70, O 1.30, G 1.50, V 1.60, each ±0.05 (status T, absolute white); production tolerance ΔE₀₀ of 2.0 or below for brand colours and 3.0 or below for general work against the approved reference |
| Drying | Solvent evaporation. Use moderate dryer temperatures on pearlised BOPP, which has lower stiffness and heat resistance than clear film; on PVC and PET-G shrink film keep dryer and web temperatures below the shrink onset advised by the film supplier. Check the printed reel for retained solvent before release for conversion |
| Backing white and overprint | Shrink sleeves are reverse printed with Nexasleeve White as the backing white; hygiene packs use the high-resist grades protected with Medicoat Gloss High Scuff OPV |
6. Storage and handling
Store in tightly sealed original containers between 5 °C and 35 °C, away from direct sunlight and heat, with 10 °C to 25 °C recommended for optimum stability. Shelf life is stated on the label and Certificate of Analysis, and the Safety Data Sheet is issued on request. 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.