Life without colour would be pretty dim. Not only that, but colour is a powerful form of communication and plays an important role to convey emotions, recognise brands and affect our behaviour. Plastic colourants are hereby not only used to spark colour into our lives, but also as a role of identification and creating a product’s image.
Unlike materials such as metal, ceramic and wood, plastic has the desired advantage of incorporating colour into a polymer and producing plastic products in various colours. However, there is a science behind this to achieve a high-quality and accurate colour.
Why is colour accuracy important
Colour improves brand recognition by up to 80%. So, customers will be more likely to identify you by using the same accurate colour and for establishing a visual identity. Furthermore, businesses can impact the psychological impacts of colour such as trust or engagement, as we even rely heavily (sometimes unconsciously) on colours to guide us, and identify certain products. Sometimes at the time of an emergency. This is why colour management within plastic is crucial.
How?
There are two methods of colouring: external and internal. External covers the surface, such as printing, coating and plating. Whereas internal colouring, kneads colourants evenly inside within the plastic. Also known as Plastic Colourants. Types of plastic colourants include masterbatches, coloured pellets, coloured compounds, dry colour, paste colours and liquid masterbatch. This is then mixed with natural pellets and moulded to create the plastic product. It is detrimental to have high quality and properly dispersed pigments to maintain the expected colour standards and durability with moulded-in colour.
In addition to this, it is important to select the correct colouring method and property. It is paramount that there is compatibility between the method and the plastic, otherwise the colour will not hold up and can even alter the properties of polymers. Affecting flexibility, temperature tolerance or impact resistance. It is also essential to regulate the depth of the pigment levels, as plastic can be greatly affected with too much pigment.
Colour Masterbatch
Colour Masterbatch is an additive in either a solid or a liquid. Masterbatch allows you to colour raw polymer economically and even offers minimal wastage and can be introduced in small volumes. There are many more advantages in using Masterbatch in plastic manufacturing (read our blog on Why Choose Masterbatch? for more information) as it is one of the most common processes for plastic colouring. Plastic is originally colourless or a milky white colour, so when it comes to colour Masterbatch, pigments are kneaded inside the plastic at a high concentration, creating brilliant dispersion and beautiful colour tones. It is also directed into a press at a desired quantity to achieve the correct colour hue or shade. All in all, colour Masterbatch simplifies processing.
Conclusion
Overall, the colouring of plastic is an important part of a brands identity and for identifying the role of a product. There are a few things to consider when it comes to colouring plastic, and it is not as simple as you may think. Get in touch with us to see how we can help your business.
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