Glossary of Industrial Water Transfer Printing
Introduction
ANBO Industry is recognized as the European leader in industrial hydro dipping, thanks to decades of experience, advanced technologies, and top-tier quality standards. This glossary collects all key terms of the hydro dipping process, from fundamental concepts to more technical ones, with practical explanations and operational notes. It is designed for professionals, companies, and enthusiasts who want to understand every stage of industrial hydro dipping, relying on ANBO’s excellence.
A
Activator
Chemical substance sprayed onto the film during the hydro dipping process. Its function is to dissolve the solid base of the film, transforming it into a liquid ink layer ready to be transferred onto the object, while ensuring permanent adhesion to the surface.
ANBO Note: It is rigorously controlled to maintain a high decoration standard across large production runs, ensuring a very high quality level and perfect repeatability of the decoration on all components.Dipping Angle
Specific inclination with which the component is immersed into the hydro dipping tank through the activated film. Choosing the correct angle is essential to allow proper air escape and to avoid pattern distortion or “tearing” during transfer.
ANBO Note: It is studied and set with millimetric precision during the sampling phase to ensure that, even in large production runs, the decoration is uniform, free of structural defects, and perfectly consistent with the required aesthetic standard.C
Coating (FINISHING TREATMENT)
Transparent protective layer applied as the final stage of the hydro dipping process. It can have different finishes (glossy, matte, satin, or soft-touch) and protects the decoration from wear, UV rays, chemical agents, and scratches, giving the component its final aesthetic appearance.
ANBO Note: It is constantly monitored during production runs to ensure the highest protection and gloss standards, maintaining perfect aesthetic repeatability across the entire series.Contaminants
Presence of oils, grease, dust, or rust that can compromise film adhesion.
ANBO Note: Our process includes advanced cleaning and pre-treatment to eliminate all contaminants.D
Film Defect
Any irregularity in the coating: bubbles, peeling, missing areas, or detachment.
ANBO Note: It is carefully monitored and controlled to maintain high quality standards even in large production batches, ensuring maximum uniformity and repeatability of the decorative result.E
Drying
Stage of the process in which the component is completely dried after washing and gel removal, eliminating all water residues before finishing phases.
ANBO Note: We control drying times and temperatures to ensure a perfectly clean surface ready for final coating, avoiding defects.P
Film
Decorated water-soluble film that, through chemical activation, enables the transfer of the pattern onto the object during the hydro dipping process.
ANBO Note: ANBO guarantees uniform and durable films according to European excellence standards.Spray Pressure
Parameter that regulates product atomization during application.
ANBO Note: It is precisely calibrated and monitored through high-precision systems to ensure consistent atomization across large volumes of components. This technical rigor is essential to maintain a very high decoration standard and millimetric pattern repeatability on every component.S
Under-Activation
When the activator reacts insufficiently, causing a weak or irregular film. It may lead to detachment or reduced protection.
ANBO Note: It is prevented through strict control of timing and application volumes, specifically calibrated for each type of film across large production runs.Over-Activation
When the activator reacts excessively, creating a fragile layer, often with bubbles.
ANBO Note: It is avoided thanks to precise mapping of spray parameters, optimized to maintain pattern integrity even in large production volumes. This millimetric control prevents aesthetic deformation and ensures the highest decoration standards and perfect repeatability.T
Dipping Time
Duration for which the part remains in the solution. It affects film thickness and coating quality.
ANBO Note: It is precisely timed and automated to ensure perfect chemical reactivity of the film across large production volumes.Adhesion Test
Verifies film strength using standard methods such as tape or cross-hatch testing.
ANBO Note: It is systematically performed according to strict internal protocols to certify coating durability across large production batches.R
Rinsing
Process that removes chemical residues from the surface, ensuring film uniformity.
ANBO Note: It is performed using controlled-pressure systems to ensure complete removal of residues across large production volumes.Aesthetic Yield
Overall visual appearance of the component after hydro dipping and finishing. It includes parameters such as pattern definition, surface gloss (or matte), absence of distortions, and color uniformity, determining the perceived value of the final product.
ANBO Note: It is rigorously evaluated through visual and instrumental quality standards to maintain flawless fidelity to the original design across large production volumes.V
Hydro Dipping Tank
Container that holds the chemical solution in which components are precisely immersed.
ANBO Note: Controlled industrial tanks ensure repeatable and high-quality processes.ANBO Industry è il punto di riferimento europeo per la cubicatura industriale, con processi certificati, tecnologia avanzata e controllo qualità totale.
“Contatta i nostri esperti per consulenza, preventivi e soluzioni personalizzate nella cubicatura industriale. Scopri perché aziende in tutta Europa ci considerano il leader del settore.”