| abstract |
The present invention provides a method for producing a low-odor, printed packaging material and the printed packaging material produced thereby. The printed packaging material of the present invention is especially suitable for packaging of substances, such as food, drugs and tobacco, which require low odor from printing inks. In this process, the printed ink is activated by exposure to actinic radiation, such as UV light, before an actinic-radiation curable coating is applied thereto. The exposure of the printed ink to UV light reduces residual solvent content and odor of the packaging material and improves the friction resistance and gloss of the printed images. Furthermore, the exposure of the printed packaging material to UV light provides an additional benefit of reducing microbial count, thereby extending a shelf-life of the packaged substance, such as food and drugs. |