Actual substrate
Paper, paperboard, corrugated board, label stock, or the exact treated film and printing side
Color matching service / flexo and gravure
Custom Water-Based Ink Color Matching for Flexo and Gravure Printing
JLJ Coating coordinates overseas inquiries and technical communication. Production, color matching, sample preparation, and technical support are handled by the production and technical teams using the actual job inputs. A drawdown or sample can guide the next decision; neither guarantees the production result.
Before matching
Information needed before a useful color discussion
The same color direction can look different when the material, transfer, print structure, or evaluation method changes. Send the real job inputs first.
Printing process
Flexographic or gravure printing, including the relevant press configuration
Target reference
Approved physical sample, target color, or the best available reference and its evaluation condition
Ink transfer
Anilox identification and condition for flexo, or cylinder information for gravure
Machine speed
Normal production speed, trial speed, and any speed-related color change
Drying setup
Dryer zones, air movement, exhaust, cooling, and when the color is evaluated
Print structure
Underlying white, overprint sequence, coating, lamination, or other layers that influence appearance
Comparison samples
Acceptable and failed prints, with the affected area and substrate clearly identified
Estimated usage
Trial requirement and approximate ongoing usage if known
Sample stages
Possible evaluation stages, selected case by case
Not every inquiry requires or includes every stage. The applicable next step depends on the available color reference, substrate, process information, and sample feasibility. The actual substrate and production conditions ultimately determine the result.
Possible color evaluation stages
- 01Define the targetRecord the physical reference and how it will be viewed or measured
- 02Possible drawdown reviewCompare one controlled application method on the recorded substrate, if applicable
- 03Possible prepared ink or printed sample reviewEvaluate prepared ink or a printed sample only under the agreed comparison conditions, where applicable
- 04Possible buyer press trial reviewUse observations from the buyer's actual machine, substrate, transfer, speed, drying, and print structure, where applicable
Color variables
Why the same ink can produce a different visible result
A color difference does not identify one root cause. Hold the comparison method stable and change one informative variable at a time.
Variables to record
SubstrateColor, absorbency, coating, texture, transparency, treatment, and printing side can shift the visible result.
Ink transferTransferred volume and metering condition affect density, coverage, and shade appearance.
Anilox or cylinderCell volume, engraving, wear, cleanliness, and identification need to be part of the comparison.
Viscosity and pHUse the product supplier's approved control method and compare readings under consistent conditions.
DryingAir movement, exhaust, heat, press speed, ink film, and evaluation timing can alter appearance and transfer.
Film treatmentTreated-film suitability and adhesion must be checked on the actual side and current material batch.
Underlying whiteWhite ink, opacity, print sequence, and other layers change the color seen through or above them.
Viewing methodLighting, backing, geometry, conditioning, and measurement method must remain consistent when samples are compared.
Process split
Use a different inquiry path for flexo and gravure
Both routes start from the actual substrate and target reference, but the transfer information and first trial checks differ.
Flexographic color inquiry
- Send the kraft paper, white card, coated paper, corrugated board, paper bag, or paper label stock and mark the printing side.
- Identify the anilox used for the target and the current result, including condition if known.
- Share plate, impression, speed, dryer, print sequence, and underlying white details.
- Keep acceptable and failed prints from the same image area for a controlled comparison.
Gravure color inquiry
- Send the treated BOPP, PET, or other verified plastic film and identify the printing side and structure.
- Provide cylinder identification or engraving information used for the current result.
- Share doctoring, speed, dryer, print sequence, underlying white, and downstream process.
- Include adhesion or blocking observations when treated film is involved, without treating color alone as proof of suitability.
Common color problems
Describe the visible result before choosing a correction
These are investigation routes. They do not prove that the ink, press, substrate, or operator is the cause.
Weak density
Separate ink strength from low transfer, a worn or blocked anilox or cylinder, substrate holdout, dilution, and drying condition.
Shade shift
Check the target reference, substrate or backing change, ink condition, overprint structure, transfer, and evaluation method.
Poor coverage
Review substrate texture, wetting, transfer volume, metering, ink film, and whether the current color direction is suitable for the surface.
Inconsistent transfer
Compare circulation, viscosity and pH history, metering, plate or cylinder condition, pressure, speed, and dryer stability.
Different result after a substrate change
Treat the new material as a new comparison. Do not assume a match approved on one paper, board, or film will reproduce unchanged on another.
Related troubleshooting
Open the guide that matches the press-side symptom
Color matching becomes more reliable when transfer, drying, adhesion, and foam issues are reviewed separately.
FAQ
Custom ink color matching questions
Can JLJ Coating match a custom water-based ink color from a physical sample?
JLJ Coating can coordinate the overseas inquiry and technical communication. The production and technical teams can review a sample direction using the physical reference, actual substrate, printing process, transfer setup, drying condition, and trial feedback. The final production result still needs confirmation on the buyer's press and complete print structure.
Is a drawdown the same as the color that will print on press?
No. A drawdown is a controlled comparison tool. A press adds anilox transfer and plate behavior or cylinder engraving and ink-transfer conditions, plus speed, drying, substrate handling, print sequence, and downstream variables that can change the result.
What should I send for a flexo color matching inquiry?
Send the actual substrate, target or approved sample, anilox information if known, press speed if known, drying setup if known, underlying white or print structure, acceptable and failed samples, current issue, estimated usage, and whether a physical sample is available.
What should I send for a gravure color matching inquiry?
Send the actual substrate and printing side, target reference, cylinder information if known, print structure, press speed if known, drying setup if known, acceptable and failed samples, current issue, estimated usage, and whether a physical sample is available.
Can color matching be guaranteed before the press trial?
No. A sample or drawdown can guide the next trial, but it cannot guarantee the result on a particular substrate, machine, speed, transfer condition, drying path, or production batch.
Send the color matching details you have
You can start with a target sample, current printed sample, or photos of the color issue. Include flexo or gravure, the actual substrate, target reference, anilox or cylinder if known, speed if known, drying setup if known, print structure, current color issue, usage estimate, and sample availability.