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Attractive packaging is essential to being competitive in a crowded market. With high quality printing, you can grab customer attention and build awareness of your brand. But, many materials used for product packaging, such as plastic, don’t take to inks and prints. Without proper treatment, your packaging will be left with low-quality printing that easily wipes off or quickly fades. And when customers see low-quality packaging and printing, it tells them they should pass you over for another product.

This is where corona treatment comes in. Prior to the printing process, corona treatment is applied to the surface of the substrate before printing. The process involves exposing the surface of the material to a high voltage electrical discharge, which ionizes the air around the surface and creates what’s known as a “corona discharge.” This modifies the surface energy of the substrate, creating a highly reactive surface that is more receptive to the adhesion of ink or other coatings. 

By improving the ink's ability to wet the surface and adhere to it, corona treatment provides massively improved print quality, color, and durability. It also allows ink to spread more evenly over the surface, reducing the formation of ink droplets and other defects. The process reduces the risk of contamination and other issues that can impact print quality as well. 

Besides helping you create vibrant, detailed packaging, corona treatment can also help you comply with legal labeling requirements. It’s essential for required labels to be visible and not degrade. With corona treatment, you can ensure all labeling is well-printed and resistant to fading. 

Corona treatment is an essential step in the printing process, particularly for plastics and other non-porous substrates. Without corona treatment, high-quality durable prints are near impossible. Examples of printing processes and inks which can benefit from corona treatment include: 

 

  • Digital Printing
  • Flexographic Printing
  • Pad Printing
  • Rotogravure Printing
  • Screen Printing
  • Web/Sheetfed Offset Printing
  • Digital Inks
  • EB-curable Inks
  • Low Migration Inks
  • Offset Inks
  • Rotogravure Inks
  • Solvent-based Inks
  • UV-curable Inks
  • Water-based Gravure Inks
  • Water-based Flexographic Inks


If you’re interested in more information about corona treatment stations from Pillar Technologies, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Our team will work with you to determine the best corona treatment configuration for your needs.

Pillar Technologies innovations in package printing

FAQs About Surface Treatment for Printing and Packaging

Can corona treatment improve more than just ink adhesion?

Yes. Corona treatment also improves bonding for coatings, laminates, and pressure-sensitive adhesives. It plays a critical role in applications where multiple layers must adhere reliably over time.

Does corona treatment wear off over time?

Surface activation can decay over time, especially when exposed to air, dust, or moisture. For best results, printing or coating should occur shortly after treatment, ideally within 24 to 72 hours, depending on the material type and storage conditions.

Is corona treatment safe for thin or delicate materials?

Yes, when configured properly. Modern corona systems offer precise control of treatment levels, electrode design, and power output. This allows effective surface treatment without damaging sensitive or thin-gauge films.

Can corona treatment systems support high-speed production lines?

Yes. Pillar Technologies offers corona treatment stations designed for high-speed converting and printing environments. Our systems maintain consistent treatment across the web even at speeds of several thousand feet per minute.

Does corona treatment support sustainable packaging efforts?

It does. By enabling better adhesion without chemical primers or solvents, corona treatment reduces environmental impact and supports mono-material packaging designs, which are easier to recycle.

Can I retrofit a corona treater into my existing printing or converting line?

Yes. Pillar Technologies offers flexible and customizable corona treatment systems that can be seamlessly integrated into existing equipment, resulting in minimal downtime. Our team will work with you to ensure a seamless fit and optimal performance