Choosing the Right Gravure Ink for Food Packaging: Evaluating Water-Based vs. Solvent-Based vs. Energy-Curing Technologies

As global food brands raise expectations for safety, sustainability, and visual impact, gravure printing continues to evolve. At the center of this evolution is a critical question:

Which gravure ink technology best meets the demands of modern food packaging—water-based, solvent-based, or energy-curing?

Ink selection influences every key aspect of packaging performance, from migration, odor, and print quality to regulatory compliance and environmental impact. Understanding the strengths and limitations of each technology is essential for converters, packaging engineers, and brand owners.

1. Why Ink Technology Matters

Ink choice directly influences:

• Food safety & consumer health

• Migration, set-off, and odor neutrality

• Substrate performance & lamination quality

• Drying energy and operational efficiency

• Environmental and sustainability targets

• Compliance with EC 1935/2004, EuPIA GMP, FDA, Swiss Ordinance, and local regulations

2. Water-Based Gravure Inks: The Sustainable Leader

Water-based systems are increasingly capable, driven by advancements in resin, dispersion, and PU-hybrid technology.

Pros

• Extremely low VOC emissions

• Safer for operators; no explosion risk

• Low odor—ideal for food contact packaging

• Meets sustainability and ESG goals

• Strong performance on paper and treated films

Cons

• Slower drying at high gravure speeds

• Requires optimized ovens and airflow

• Adhesion challenges on non-porous films without PU hybrids

• Sensitive to humidity and microbial growth

Ideal For

• Paper packaging and mono-material paper structures

• Snacks, bakery, and dry food packaging

• Brands pushing for eco-friendly printing solutions

3. Solvent-Based Gravure Inks: High Performance & High Speed

Still the most widely used for flexible packaging films due to reliability and versatility.

Pros

• Excellent adhesion to BOPP, PET, Nylon, and CPP

• Very fast drying → high production speeds

• Strong chemical and heat resistance

• High gloss and vivid color density

• Proven results for lamination and retort packaging

Cons

• Residual solvent risk affecting taste and odor

• High VOC emissions and environmental impact

• Explosion-proof systems required

• Increasing regulatory and compliance pressure

Ideal For

• High-performance laminates

• Retort pouches and high-barrier film packaging

• Oil, spices, and liquid food packaging

4. Energy-Curing Technologies (UV, LED, EB): The High-Performance Frontier

Energy-curing gravure technologies address performance requirements where migration control and durability are critical.

UV & LED Gravure

Pros: Fast curing, excellent durability, high-quality graphics
Cons: Photoinitiator migration risk; under-cure may cause odor

EB (Electron Beam) Gravure

Pros:

• No photoinitiators → ultra-low migration

• No VOCs

• Exceptional chemical and heat resistance

• Suitable for paper and film

Cons:

• High equipment investment

• Limited market adoption compared to solvent/water systems

Ideal For

• Zero-migration applications

• High-barrier laminates

• Premium food packaging with strict compliance requirements

5. How to Choose the Right Ink System

When selecting gravure ink for food packaging, evaluate:

Regulations

EC 1935/2004 • EuPIA GMP • Swiss Ordinance • FDA • Taiwan FDA standards

Substrate

Paper • BOPP • PET • Nylon • CPP • Coated/primed films

Performance Requirements

Retort • Chemical resistance • Lamination • Gloss/matte • Slip/COF

Sustainability Goals

VOC reduction • Energy savings • Recyclability • CO₂ footprint

Production Environment

Dryer capacity • Line speed • Ink management workflow

6. The Future of Gravure Inks

The industry is shifting toward:

• PU-hybrid water-based gravure systems for film

• Low-migration energy-curing technologies

• Bio-based solvents and resins

• Recyclable mono-material packaging

• EB curing for ultra-high performance applications

Converters who proactively adopt clean, compliant, and efficient ink systems will remain competitive as regulations tighten and brand sustainability goals accelerate.

Final Thoughts

Each gravure ink technology brings unique strengths:

• Water-based inks deliver sustainability and safety.

• Solvent-based inks deliver reliability and high-speed performance.

• Energy-curing inks deliver the highest durability and lowest migration potential.

Choosing the right system isn't just a technical decision—it’s a strategic move toward safer, cleaner, and more future-ready food packaging