Top 10 Tips on Printing onto Plastics

by Haydn Brown, Commercial Director, Reflex Printed Plastics Ltd

Choose a specialist printer. Plastic behaves very differently to paper.

Show the printer the image as early as possible for his advice. This is especially important if using a 3D or a moving image (lenticular).

Create a full brief for the printer. Consider the usual requirements such as quantity, size, ink colour(s), packaging and delivery. However, with printed plastics there are other considerations.

The choice of ink is important; fluorescent might be suitable for instance.

Consider the different types of plastic and thickness, and choose one appropriate for the job.

Is the image in line colours or full colour i.e. can it be screen printed or does it need a specialist Litho printing onto plastic?

Where is the item to be placed - Inside or outside? If outside, or in an area where it will be touched, it may need extra protection.

Longevity is another factor. Will the item be a permanent fixture or short-term promotion that needs to be easily removed?

How will the image be viewed? At arms length or distance?

Timing. Allow longer time for lenticular printing as a lot of time is in the pre-press, which must be absolutely accurate before printing commences.

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