Set-off Migration

Physical Contact

The pressure inside a stack of sheets or a tightly wound reel forces the printed and unprinted surfaces into close proximity. If the ink is not fully cured or if the solvents have not evaporated they can be absorbed by the fibers of the adjacent layer. This transfer happens most frequently during the storage and transport of the finished packaging.

Temperature and pressure are the two main variables that accelerate the movement of these substances. Using low migration inks and ensuring proper drying times can minimize the risk of this occurring. Analytical testing is used to detect the presence of ink components on the food contact side of the material.

Safety Barrier

Functional barriers such as foil or certain plastic coatings can prevent the migrated chemicals from reaching the food. The design of the package must account for the possibility of set-off during the manufacturing stage. This phenomenon defines the risk of indirect contamination in the packaging supply chain.

It ensures that the safety of the final product is considered throughout the entire production process.