Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

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Digital Printing onto Anodized Aluminum

I own a Sign Company and have a project in which I have to use an Inca Direct-to-Substrate Digital Printer onto clear anodized aluminum. There appears to be no adhesion of the UV-cured ink onto the metal. It scratches off easily. Does anyone know how to achieve better adhesion to the anodized surface. I've tried abrading the surface with scotchbrite, but it didn't improve the adhesion.
Thank you,

Ed Brimer
sign company - St. Louis, Missouri, USA
2006

You won't like the answer, Ed, but the aluminum should be anodized (but not sealed), then the ink applied to the fresh anodize, then the aluminum sealed.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2006

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