Abstract: Solid, solvent-free inks are provided for use in hot melt flexographic printing. The ink is composed of a pigment; a thermoplastic binder which is an ethylene copolymer, a hydrocarbon resin, or a combination thereof; a wax which is a highly branched hydrocarbon wax, a polyethylene homopolymer wax, an oxidized polyethylene wax, an animal wax, a vegetable wax or combinations thereof; a solid linear alcohol; and, a dispersing agent. The ink may also contain a solid plasticizer. The solid ink has a melting point of about 75° C. or greater, and when heated to a temperature between about 90° C. and about 135° C., a molten ink is formed which has a viscosity between about 100 cps and about 1200 cps. The solid inks are used in melt flexographic printing by heating the ink to a temperature greater than about 90° C.

Abstract: Solid, solvent-free inks are provided for use in hot melt flexographic printing. The ink is composed of a pigment; a thermoplastic binder which is an ethylene copolymer, a hydrocarbon resin, or a combination thereof; a wax which is a highly branched hydrocarbon wax, a polyethylene homopolymer wax, an oxidized polyethylene wax, an animal wax, a vegetable wax or combinations thereof; a solid linear alcohol; and, a dispersing agent. The ink may also contain a solid plasticizer. The solid ink has a melting point of about 75° C. or greater, and when heated to a temperature between about 90° C. and about 135° C., a molten ink is formed which has a viscosity between about 100 cps and about 1200 cps. The solid inks are used in melt flexographic printing by heating the ink to a temperature greater than about 90° C.