Is this for real - DistributorTalk

Joe Denhoff · 06-09-2009, 09:37 PM

I ordered some mugs from a trusted supplier. We got a preproduction sample where the imprint was very washed out. The supplier said since this was a University client they had to use lead free inks. The lead free inks don't have the deep color the lead inks have. The supplier said it was an FDA rule that all University mugs had to have lead free inks. . Is this FDA rule for real?

Joe Denhoff · 06-11-2009, 01:14 PM

This rule was set forth by CLC. The supplier agreed to a contract with CLC that all CLC member universities are required to use lead free inks. From what I have seen the lead free inks are not vibrant. CLC tries to help the world be a better place but I think this will cause some problems for the mug supplier.
I recommend to check with your mug supplier before sending them a university order, make sure you can get leaded inks.

royster13 · 06-11-2009, 02:04 PM

Joe I am going to stick my neck out a bit and suggest that every supplier who is printing logos that are licensed by CLC will have to comply with the "lead free" requirement....So if a supplier is not using "lead free" inks they will probably not be able to print items with licensed logos....

Joe Denhoff · 06-11-2009, 07:24 PM

Royce, you are 100% correct. The lead free inks I have seen are light, they have no depth. Wait until schools like Michigan gets their mugs with a washed out blue. I recommend spec samples for everyone who has to use lead free inks. I was lucky, my customer is so fussy they demanded a spec sample anyway. If I shipped them 800 mugs that looked the way the spec looked I would have had a problem.

Stickers · 07-03-2009, 01:41 PM

In a general statement, lead free inks lack a few things that make ceramic ink glossy, durable and add depth. Obviously lead is the first. Lead is what gives the color gloss, depth and durability. The other missing item is cadmium. This is what makes yellow, red, blue, green and formulas with those colors bright. Otherwise you get muted, muddy colors. The alternatives will give you one property, but in exchange you may lose another. The color suppliers have been working on this for at least 15 years, the last 5-7 even more so, but there still is no perfect replacement for lead. Just compromises.