Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Trasnsparent printing ink for polycarbonate surface

We are one of the leading manufactures of watch dials in India. We wanted to manufacture plastic (polycarbonate) dials for solar type quartz watches. I would like to know about the screen printing ink which can cover the polycarbonate surface and avoids the mechanism of watch fixed under the dial, at the same time the printing ink should be capable of passing the sunlight through the surface to charge the solar cell present beneath the dial. Please recommend the printing ink. I need inks in both transparent and opaque glossy finish.

Nandini Umesh
- Bangalore, Karnataka, India
2004

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You might want to investigate purchasing polycarbonate with, or, coat the polycarbonate with, a layer of resin or some other sensitizing agent prior to screen printing.

This could open your options to a wider range of inks/dyes/ or coatings than might otherwise present itself. While this may appear trivial, saving 1/2 to 2 cents per item multiplied by gross production adds up.

B.Rey
- Kansas, USA
2004