A Comparative Printability Study of Polybutylene Succinate Film and Commercial Polypropylene Film

The objectives of this research are to study the physical properties and mechanical properties of Polybutylene succinate (PBS) and commercial Polypropylene (BOPP) and to compare the print quality of Polybutylene succinate and commercial Polypropylene. PBS and BOPP were printed by a Letterpress printing system that was cured with a UV drying system. The films, which were surface treatment and without surface treatment, were compared. The speed of the printing machine was adjusted to 3-speed levels. Then films were measured as follows, CIELAB color value, density, dot area, Tone Value Increase (TVI), trapping, and color difference value(∆E*ab) . The results of mechanical properties found that PBS had a higher tensile strength than BOPP but lower elongation than BOPP. In terms of print quality, it was found that the average density values of all 8 printing conditions were not statistically significant difference. The average ∆E*ab value of prints with surface treatment and without surface treatment of PBS has a value of 1.24±0.48, and that of BOPP has a value of 9.59±5.11. Moreover, the adhesion of printing ink on PBS was higher than BOPP. In conclusion, PBS can be selected as a printing substrate to be an alternative to an environment-friendly substrate.