Printing Napkins

oddbuck
on 16 Apr 12 (01:48)

I just recieved a request to print some napkins for a client. After a little research I found that some folks have been successful in printing on napkins. I’m wondering if anyone can give me any recommendations on what type of napkins to use with my C&P Pilot.

Also, I read a posting about food safe ink to use on napkins. Someone had replied saying that oil-based inks are safe once dry. Can anyone let me know if the same is true with rubber-based inks?

Thank you.

Peter Luckhurst
on 16 Apr 12 (06:14)

Rubber based ink is not considered harmful , however you might look at soy oil base as that seems to be commonly used these days for packaging , a lot of the less definate inks are sealed with a water based varnish but thats not really do able in your case .

phasetwo
on 16 Apr 12 (11:31)

I am pretty sure that ink used to print napkins in the US must be printed with FDA approved food safe ink. You need to use something like No-Tox.

Soy based ink being considered safe in general over other inks is a misnomer. There are still petroleum distillates in most Soy inks. However, it is generally considered more environmentally friendly, sustainable and does emit fewer VOC’s. But don’t trade it for edamame…

mikefrommontana
on 16 Apr 12 (11:56)

I am pretty sure that there are darned few printers who print a whopping 100-1000 napkins in a year who are going to try to track down something as esoteric as the No Tox ink line. If I were printing napkins full time, I’d certainly look to using food grade inks (and charging accordingly).

The problem with rubber base inks is that oily foods (mayonnaise is one culprit) will cause the ink to bleed and run and wind up on the customer. At least that’s the horror story I’ve heard.

So long as the customers aren’t going to eat the napkins, I would use what oil base ink is in your inventory.

Peter Luckhurst
on 16 Apr 12 (12:18)

mike is correct , i didnt think about greasey grub re wetting the dry ink it could certainly occur . Sincere apologies for the error in thought on my part i only read it from the toxicity angle !

Stanislaus Pekala
on 16 Apr 12 (20:53)

I’m sure all environmentally-friendly printers will refrain from using Crisco past its expiration date to wash their presses that are used to print napkins! Between the soy-based inks and the Crisco, your shop should smell like the Dumpster behind an Oriental restaurant!

mikefrommontana
on 16 Apr 12 (23:42)

Nope, thoroughly nasty kerosene and mineral spirits here. Oh, and yes, the Coleman stove fuel makes a dandy plate wash too. I’ll let the others fiddle with the Crisco.

oddbuck
on 17 Apr 12 (20:31)

Thank you everyone for your help on the question of the ink. I’m not sure what is on menu for the client’s event, but I’ll just print them with oil based ink and tell them that I can not be held responsible for any napkins ingested by guests.

Does anyone have any recommendations on type of napkins to use? Thanks again.