Printed materials are prone to damage when transported and shipped during product storage or handling. Therefore, it’s crucial to test the quality of prints or labels on products to minimize the probability of damage. The scuff resistance test is the most effective way to perform rub testing for print. This test will help manufacturers evaluate the rub resistance or the damage that could occur through rubbing. However, not everyone knows what a scuff resistance test is. This article will provide all the crucial details about the scuff resistance test, its importance, and how to perform it.
What is Meant by a Scuff Resistance Test?
The scuff resistance test or scuff test is rub testing for print. It is performed for painted plastics or other products likely to be scratched or rubbed. This rubbing of print can take place during transportation or storage when the products come in contact with each other.
Often, the scuff occurs due to friction between two surfaces. And this friction or rubbing further causes the packing material’s abrasion or the print’s fading. Manufacturers take several precautions to minimize the product’s rub resistance. However, they don’t have the eternity to observe the behavior of labels for rub resistance. It is why manufacturers perform accelerated tests such as scuff resistance tests.
Significance of Scuff Resistance Test
A scuff resistance test is performed to assess the product’s print quality. Here are some other points highlighting the significance of the scuff resistance test:
- The product needs to use good printed material to display all necessary information about the product. Therefore, manufacturers perform a scuff resistance test on the products to ensure they use suitable material for labeling information.
- Scuff resistance test help manufacturers assess the behavior of printing labels.
- With a scuff test, manufacturers can measure the rub resistance of printed materials and improve the material’s quality if required.
How to Perform a Scuff Resistance Test?
A scuff resistance test is performed using a scuff resistance tester. It is typically a motorized assembly and features a plunger arrangement for placing two product samples facing one another. The arrangement of this tester moves in a rotational motion.
First, two products are rubbed against each other to check the quality of the print. Pressure is involved during this rub testing for the print process. When using a scuff resistance testing machine, the manufacturer must define the number of strokes for testing. After setting up the strokes, a person can inspect the sample product and measure if the ink transfers from one surface to the other.
Conclusion
Among several rub resistance tests for prints, the scuff resistance test is the most useful in evaluating a product’s rub resistance or the damage that takes place due to rubbing. Many scuff resistance testers are designed to provide accurate results about the product’s print durability. Moreover, these low-maintenance testers are ideal for packaging industries. When considering performing a scuff resistance test, get a highly efficient scuff resistance testing instrument. Consider multiple factors, like cost, durability, maintenance, efficiency, etc., before purchasing the tester.
