Protected inkjet images

The use of a protective coating with a specific wax and resin composition for inkjet images enhances rub resistance and prevents pick-off, addressing the durability issues of inkjet images on substrates.

WO2026142976A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-07-02MARKEM IMAJE CORP +2
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
MARKEM IMAJE CORP
Filing Date
2025-12-19
Publication Date
2026-07-02

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Inkjet images on substrates suffer from poor rub resistance and pick-off issues due to the lack of effective protective coatings, particularly when subjected to packaging processes.

Method used

A protected inkjet image is formed by printing an image with a first hot melt ink composition containing a colorant and a protective coating using a second hot melt ink composition comprising a wax and a resin, where the wax has a Shore D hardness of at least about 35 or is an unbranched ester wax, providing a continuous, optically transparent layer that enhances rub resistance and prevents pick-off.

Benefits of technology

The solution significantly improves the rub resistance and reduces pick-off of inkjet images, maintaining image quality even after 2000 rubs, while ensuring the protective coating is optically transparent and extends beyond the image edges.

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Abstract

A printed substrate includes a substrate and a protected image. The protected image includes an image inkjet printed on the substrate with a first hot melt ink composition and a protective coating inkjet printed on the image with a second hot melt ink composition. The first hot melt ink composition includes a colorant. The protective coating is optically transparent. The second hot melt ink composition includes a wax and a resin. The wax includes a hydrocarbon wax with a Shore D hardness of at least about 35 or an unbranched ester wax. Printing a protected image on a substrate includes inkjet printing an image on the substrate with a first hot melt ink composition and inkjet printing a protective coating on the image with a second hot melt ink composition. A kit includes the first hot melt ink composition and the second hot melt ink composition.
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