Metallic Effects in Modern Printing

Metallic inks play an increasingly important role in packaging, labeling, and decorative printing.
To achieve consistent brightness and coverage, screen inks aluminium paste remains one of the most widely used metallic pigments.

Optical Performance in Metallic Inks

Brightness and Opacity Requirements

Metallic inks must deliver:

• High reflectivity

• Strong opacity on various substrates

• Clear contrast against non-metallic colors

Aluminium paste fulfills these requirements through direct light reflection from aluminium flakes.

Metallic Inks vs Pearlescent Pigments

Unlike pearlescent pigments, which rely on light interference, aluminium paste provides:

• Direct metallic shine

• Strong hiding power

• Predictable visual performance

This makes aluminium paste particularly suitable for screen printing and bold metallic graphics.

Dispersion and Print Stability

Importance of Flake Stability

In printing inks, pigment stability is critical.
Properly formulated aluminium paste offers:

• Uniform dispersion

• Reduced sedimentation

• Consistent viscosity during printing

These factors contribute to stable print quality across production runs.

Compatibility with Ink Systems

Aluminium paste is used in:

• Screen printing inks

• Gravure inks

• Solvent-based and water-based metallic inks

Advances in paste technology continue to improve compatibility with modern ink formulations.

Typical Applications

• Packaging and labels

• Decorative graphics

• Security and branding elements

Conclusion

Aluminium paste remains a cornerstone pigment in metallic inks, offering unmatched brightness, opacity, and printing stability.