Metal packaging demands both durability and visual appeal, especially for products like beverages, food, cosmetics, and household goods. Metal deco inks are specially developed to meet these needs, offering exceptional adhesion, vibrant colour performance, and resistance to wear.

Whether used on aluminium or tinplate, these inks deliver high print quality while meeting global safety standards. DIC India, backed by the DIC Group and Sun Chemical, provides a range of metal deco solutions that balance high-end decoration with technical reliability.

In this blog, we explore what metal deco inks are, their features, application, and the top DIC inks in this category for your metal printing applications.

What are Metal Deco Inks?

Metal deco inks are printing inks formulated specifically for aluminium and tinplate substrates used in metal packaging. They are created to deliver vivid, high-definition prints while withstanding mechanical, chemical, and thermal stress.

These inks are suitable for offset, UV, and LED curing systems, making them versatile for different production setups.

Features of Metal Deco Inks

The unique formulation of metal deco inks is what enables them to perform well in high-speed, high-demand production environments. They provide a dependable balance of appearance, durability, and safety.

Some of the key features of metal deco inks are listed below.

1. Strong adhesion on aluminium and steel surfaces
2. Resistance to scratches, heat, and chemicals
3. High-definition colour reproduction for clear, vibrant designs
4. Fast drying or curing for increased production efficiency
5. Low migration and pleasant odour for food-contact applications
6. BPA-NI (Bisphenol A-Non-Intended) formulations
7. Compliance with EU and FDA food packaging regulations

Applications of Metal Deco Inks

Metal deco inks are used across multiple industries where metal packaging is the preferred choice. Their ability to combine aesthetics with functional resilience makes them valuable in various formats.

Common applications of meta deco inks are listed below.

1. Beverage cans: Two-piece aluminium cans for soft drinks, beer, and energy drinks.
2. Food cans: Three-piece containers for processed foods, fish, and meat products.
3. Aerosol cans: Monobloc aluminium packaging for cosmetics, household, and industrial sprays.
4. Closures and crowns: Metal caps and ends requiring consistent colour and adhesion.
5. Collapsible tubes: Aluminium tubes for pharmaceuticals and personal care products.
6. General line packaging: Metal containers for oils, baby food, and dry goods.

Metal Deco Inks from DIC

DIC India specialises in a wide range of Metal Deco solutions, tailored to specific packaging needs.

1. Two-piece Cans

Options like SunDuo® Taupo and SunDuo® Comet deliver high print quality, resistance to abrasion, and are compatible with different overprint varnishes. Taupo is ideal for beverage cans, providing strong resistance to abrasion and pasteurisation effects, while Comet supports tactile and non-tactile finishes with reduced varnish use.

2. Three-piece Cans

The SunTrio® range includes Daimetal for food cans and closures with strong retort resistance, and Toba for fish and meat-drawn cans where high resistance is critical. UV-curing options like Daicure NT offer fast curing and colour consistency without the need for interdeck lamps.

3. General Line Cans

Metcure series provides cost-effective UV-curing performance, while Ledcure offers LED UV curing with strong adhesion and retort resistance for edible oil and baby food cans.

4. Aerosol Cans and Tubes

The SunAltec® MB Plus and PES series deliver high pigment strength, gloss, and durability for monobloc aerosol cans and collapsible aluminium tubes, meeting both performance and compliance requirements.

Final Thoughts

Metal deco inks play a major role in printing metal packaging that is both functional and visually appealing. From maintaining brand colours through pasteurisation to ensuring compliance with food safety standards, they deliver on every front. DIC India continues to innovate in the metal deco space, offering inks that meet global regulations while supporting high-speed, high-quality production.

Looking for advanced DIC Ink solutions for your metal packaging needs? Contact DIC India today to explore the right Metal Deco options for your products.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are Metal Deco Inks used for?

Metal deco inks are used for printing on aluminium and tinplate packaging such as beverage cans, food containers, aerosol cans, closures, collapsible tubes, and general line packaging.

2. Are Metal Deco Inks safe for food packaging?

DIC’s metal deco Inks are compliant with EU and FDA global food packaging regulations, include BPA-NI formulations, and are designed for low migration and safe odour levels.

3. What printing methods are compatible with Metal Deco Inks?

Metal deco inks work with multiple printing systems, including offset, UV-curing, and LED-curing processes, offering flexibility for different production lines.

4. How do Metal Deco Inks withstand processing conditions?

They are formulated for strong adhesion, chemical resistance, and durability under heat, pasteurisation, and retort conditions, ensuring lasting visual quality.

Reference

https://dic.co.in/products/metal-deco-inks