Color-printed Vacuum Forming is a general term for offset-printed Vacuum Forming (UV-printed Vacuum Forming) and screen-printed Vacuum Forming (silk-screen Vacuum Forming). It is an advanced process that combines color printing and Vacuum Forming. This production method is to first print color on PVC, PET, PC, PS, PE, ABS, EVA and other films that can be used to make Vacuum Forming products, and then perform Vacuum Forming molding. This method can form patterns or designs on one or both sides of the product, and can also use transparent films for base coloring. This method greatly improves work efficiency and reduces product costs. The overall color printing is performed on the flat film, and the Vacuum Forming cover after molding has an overall color effect.

Main text

Main equipment

Color printing Vacuum Forming machine, screen printing machine, punching machine, punching machine, vacuum machine, transparent Vacuum Forming machine

Process flow

Plastic sheet - sheet fixing - heating - molding - demoulding - material edge removal - finished product

Raw material knowledge

1.PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and PVC alloy (PVC+ABS) sheet This product has the characteristics of high strength, good impact toughness, non-toxic and easy Vacuum Forming molding. It is mainly suitable for various Vacuum Forming products such as acid and alkali protection plates, floors, welding sink plates in the construction industry, and pet cage trays after Vacuum Forming molding.

PVC board can be divided into: PVC hard board, PVC soft board and environmentally friendly PVC board

¢ÙPVC hard board, thickness: 1-25mm maximum width: 1.5mThis product has good corrosion resistance, high strength, high hardness, easy processing and welding, etc. It is widely used in acid and alkali pools, extraction containers, chemical industry, water treatment, environmental protection equipment, etc.

Transparent PVC hard boardPVC transparent soft board: thickness: 1-20mm maximum width: 1.3mThis product is non-toxic, hygienic, weather-resistant, high strength, good transparency, and physical properties are better than organic glass. It is widely used in equipment guard plates, drinking water tanks, liquid level display containers, etc.

¢ÚPVC soft board: thickness: 1-10mm maximum width: 1.3mThis product is soft and wear-resistant, acid-resistant, alkali-resistant, corrosion-resistant, tear-resistant, and has good weldability. It is widely used in chemical industry, electroplating, lining of electrolytic cells, insulation pads, etc.

¢Û Environmentally friendly PVC sheet, thickness: 1-20mm, specific gravity: 1.42-1.56 Color: light gray, white, etc.

Features: high surface brightness, non-toxic, suitable for export quality requirements.

PS (polystyrene) sheet, commonly known as plexiglass sheet or acrylic sheet. It has excellent tensile properties and has the characteristics of conductivity, antistatic properties, non-toxicity, good impact resistance, etc. after modification. It is widely used in the deep processing of Vacuum Forming products and sheet supplies in the fields of electronics, advertising signs, decoration, and handicrafts.

2.PS (polystyrene) sheet is divided into: (PS) extruded sheet and PS polystyrene decorative sheet

¢Ù Polystyrene (PS) extruded sheet: This product is made of polystyrene as the main raw material, extruded, can be freely colored, odorless, non-toxic, does not cause fungal growth, has the advantages of rigidity, insulation, good printing, etc., and is mainly used in packaging, container equipment, daily decoration, ordinary electrical appliances, and construction industries.

¢ÚPS polystyrene decorative board is a high molecular organic board formed by extruding polystyrene particle molding plastic on an extrusion unit.

Characteristics: PS polystyrene decorative board is a thermoplastic plastic. The specific gravity is 1.05, the melting temperature is 150-180¡æ, the absorption rate is low, and the light transmittance can reach 88-92%. It can withstand organic acids, alkalis, salts and lower alcohols, and can be dissolved in esters and ketones.

3.PET hard sheet has good toughness and is a new material developed in recent years. With its excellent toughness, high strength, high transparency, and recyclable and reusable, it is easy to burn and does not produce harmful gases when burning. It is an environmentally friendly material and gradually replaces PVC, but the price is high. It is suitable for high-end Vacuum Forming products. The Vacuum Forming shells in European and American countries generally require the use of PET materials, but its high thermal melting point brings great difficulties to high-frequency packaging. In order to solve this problem, people compound a layer of PVC film on the surface of PET, named PETG, but the price is higher. Mainly used for electronics, food, toys, color box windows, collars, footwear packaging, etc. Its advantages are as follows: ¢Ù It has excellent transparency and smoothness, and has a good display effect. ¢Ú It has excellent surface decoration performance, can be printed without surface treatment, is easy to press patterns, and is easy to metalize (vacuum metallization layer). ¢Û It has good mechanical strength. ¢Ü It has good barrier properties against oxygen and water vapor. ¢Ý It has good chemical resistance and can withstand the erosion of various chemical substances. ¢Þ It is non-toxic and has reliable hygienic properties. It can be used for packaging food, drugs and medical equipment, and can be sterilized by Y-rays. ¢ß It has good adaptability to environmental protection and can be recycled economically and conveniently; when its waste is incinerated, no harmful substances that harm the environment are produced. PET sheet is considered to be an ideal packaging Vacuum Forming material that meets the (ROSH) environmental protection requirements.

Application Range

Color printed Vacuum Forming is widely used in dozens of industries such as daily consumer goods, media entertainment, hardware tools, educational supplies, lighting, handicrafts, IT electronics, stationery, sporting goods, electric toys, retail display, automobiles, cosmetics, adult products, etc. It is a very good display and promotional medium with strong practicality, which greatly enriches the product market and opens up a broad new field.

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