How To Print On Ziplock Bags [A Complete Guideline]
Plastic bags have been the reliable choice for decades. If plastic ziplock bags have some funky arts, acceptability increases, and buyers get the most interest. You may do the print on demand, adding necessary logos, business names, and custom design. Buyers or consumers will appreciate the work of art, and it will raise the value of ziplock bags.
In shopping malls or supermarkets, reusable ziplock bags have great value and demand. Think if you know how to print on ziplock bags, you can make some deals with folks. There are many techniques to set desired design on ziplock bags; you can adopt one and start your work to make some money.
Things You Should Know Before Printing on Plastic Bags
When printing on a plastic bag, you need to be familiar with a number of things.
1. Printing Plates
- Plastic bags can be customized with them
- If well taken care of, they may last for about three years
- The sizes vary depending on the type of plastic bag you want to print
2. Registered Printing
- In order to maintain the same print position, this step must be done.
- This can be accomplished by using the same plate size, repeating the image, and using the same bag.
3. Random Printing
- The image can be repeated on the bag many times
- It is possible that the image will not be positioned exactly the same
- Bags with bottom seals or slides are placed in different positions
How To Print On Ziplock Bags – Most Popular Methods
Based on loads of your work, techniques to print on plastic ziplock bags vary. For the big-budget, the most economical approach supports an immense amount of works at a time. You have to hold a plastic roll one by one set and pass through the ink units. In this process., the printing will run. For the big deal, flexography is the most commercial and acceptable method.
Let’s know the technique step by step.
Flexography for Big Budget
In this process, inks are deposited on a rubber-made image or design plate, adjusting the object’s design. It ensures a fixed register of colors on the item.
Step-1: Printing on Plastics of Bags
The flexo plates are used in this process. The heat press machine uses an adhesive to fix the rollers on the flexo plates. Now, at the rollers turning point, flexo plates hit the plastic paper roll of ziplock bags. It passes through the web press, and then the design will be on the ziplock bag’s plastic.
Step-2: Cutting in Bag Size
When the design is on the plastic, the final ending result will arrive with the extended plastic ziplock bags’ formation. Cut the bags from the rolls, then give the preferable size to it. Now use a heat press to fuse the edges at the top, bottom, and sides. Your printed ziplock plastic bags are ready to sell.
Screen Printing for Short Budget
If you are going to start your new printing business and have a small budget, you can rely on screen printing on ziplock bag plastics. This process is labor-intensive, so this process is the best for the first run with a short budget. Screen printing is performed on one bag at a time. At the start, you have to put one bag on a board or a flat structure to keep the bag stable. Now setting the metal screen and dragging a squeegee will apply the ink. For a short deal, this technique is okay.
Step-1: Gather Ingredients
You need some elements and ingredients to perform the screening on bags, and those are- a plastic knife, screen (framed and stenciled), squeegee, photo emulsion, latex, canvas, darkroom, back inks, gloves, popsicle sticks, and ziplock bags on which you print.
Step-2: Fix Frame and Set on Heat Transfer Vinyl
Fix the frame on the screen. Then select and ready the design that you are going to press on the bag. Set the chosen design on the heat transfer vinyl. Check if the design is perfect for the setting. If not, you can change the design. Now, take the emulsion that is mixed with the sensitizer. Soak the design in the emulsion.
The screen must be of quality material. It should be durable and high-graded. Otherwise, it can damage total printing work.
Step-3: Pressing Ink
While pressing ink on one side, the other side of the bag can be soaked. To avoid this, keep light cardboard in the plastic bag. Now place the design carefully at the right area of the bag where it would sit. As the plastic ziplock bag is lighter and moves quickly, attach a rubber frame or tape. Then pour ink on the screen with the help of a popsicle stick. Spread the ink by the squeegee. Be sure it is all over the screen.
Step-4: Design Placement
Cross over the design with the ink using a squeegee and dot it smoothly. Please do not be hard and rough while doing it; instead, do your job with patience. Ensure that the ink does not touch the other side of the bag, and so, raise your template corners carefully.
Step-5: Remove Template and Wash
When the design is all set, remove your template softly and keep it on canvas. Now wash it with cold water and save it from drying up for an hour using a blow dryer. Check if the design is correctly set.
Heat Press for Thicker Bags
Aside from flexography and screen printing, a heat press can be used on thicker plastic bags that can tolerate heat. A heat press is a machine that heats and presses the design onto the material. This method is commonly used on fabrics, but it is also being used on plastic bags.
Using a heat press is simple, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
Choosing A Bag
Since a heat press applies the design with high heat and pressure, choosing the right plastic bag is crucial. Plastic bags will melt in the heat and won’t withstand it. If you plan to use a heat press, avoid using them. You should instead use polypropylene bags, which are thicker and more heat-resistant. These bags are less likely to melt.
Temperature Selection
Let’s discuss the temperature of the machine now that we know polypropylene bags are better. However, these bags must still be handled with care even though they are heat-resistant. Start with a lower temperature and increase it gradually if the design does not print correctly.
Choosing The Right Machine
Precision and control are essential when using a heat press. You must also choose the right machine. Make sure you can adjust the temperature of your machine if you plan on doing this at home.
Guidelines To Print On Plastic Bags
It is important to be aware of a few tips that will help you achieve a successful print, without which you can ruin your work. Since there are different printing methods, you should know some common but critical tips to a successful print.
- Make sure that the plastic bag has a specific size and printing area.
- Consider the type of print, colors, and copies to help you decide what method to use.
- Printing can only be done if you submit the designs beforehand so that preparation can be made.
- Select the colors carefully and avoid dyeing colors together.
Benefits Of Using Plastic Bags
From morning until night, as well as when we have to carry objects around for domestic or industrial use, we are dependent on plastic bags. Would it be possible for us to survive without them?
It’s not easy.
Plastic Bags are used for a variety of reasons. For example,
- Produced easily at a low cost
- You can buy it for a reasonable price
- Different uses possible
- Recycling them allows them to be reused
Plastic Bags or Paper Bags?
As a general rule, paper bags are considered an alternative to plastic bags. The reality is that paper bags are more costly to produce and cannot be reused though they can be recycled. Paper bags are most often used once, although some are reusable.
Likewise, paper bags can’t be used in manufacturing due to their possibility of getting wet and becoming frozen.
Frequently Asked Question on Ziplock Bags
There are some queries in the mind of the users of ziplock bags. Those questions should be answered correctly.
Q: Is the ziplock bags reusable?
Ans: Yes, they are. If the quality of these bags is high-grade, they are washable several times. You can use them again and again. Be sure the plastic of the bags is thicker and of freezer version
Q: Is inkjet printing okay for printing on ziplock bags?
Ans: Yes, some folks use the inkjet printing process. This process is suitable for printing numbers on plastic ziplock bags.
Also Read: Are Supertank Printers Worth It
Final Words
Plastic ziplock bags are life easing products. You can reuse those several times. By printing, some creative artworks on those bags will add extra value but at a low cost. That’s why printed ziplock bags are in great use.
It may seem hard to print on a plastic bag. But if you know how to print on ziplock bags, the ingredients needed, and a decent idea about inking, it would be easy and time-saving. As a way of making some money, it is an excellent option to encourage your creativity. So, make some big deal and do your best performance.
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