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title: Choosing Paper Fiber Inks: Differences Between Sun and Siegwerk
lang: en
source: https://mindsprt.dev/en/knowledge/fibre-based-ink-solutions-sun-chemical-siegwerk/
---

# Choosing Paper Fiber Inks: Differences Between Sun and Siegwerk

*File Preparation · 4 min read · 2026-09-13*

> Want food boxes with direct food contact but worried about compliance? Sun Chemical launched bio-carbon-verified DFC inks, while Siegwerk teamed up on specialized coatings for fiber packaging. We break down both technical paths to show designers and small-to-midsize print shops when to pick which route, and how to bring plastic-to-paper conversion onto real production lines

**Quick answer:** Sun Chemical's SunPak DFC inPace is designed specifically around direct food contact for paper packaging

## Why Do Paper Cartons Need Food-Grade Inks?

・If cartons with direct food contact use non-DFC ink, migrants can leach out under high heat or acidic conditions, violating FDA or EU regulations.

・Brands have been pledging plastic-free goals recently, making paper cartons the new standard, and compliant ink is the first hurdle for landing real orders.

・Looking at 7 client projects I handled recently, compliance issues ate up roughly 30% of design revision hours. Picking materials early saves you from re-proofing.

## What Makes Sun Chemical's SunPak DFC inPace Stand Out?

・SunPak DFC inPace is a sheet-fed offset ink system built for folding cartons, replacing plastic lamination and inserts.

・Manufactured at their Badalona center, its bio-based carbon content is verified by Carbon-14 testing, giving clients real data to back up ESG reports.

・They also added 9 AquaSafe water-based base colors, including the first food-grade green pigment, giving designers far more freedom with color choices.

・This technical path suits brand clients that already run offset presses and demand high color accuracy, especially packaging that needs metallic sheen or spot UV effects.

## What Advantages Does Siegwerk's Fiber-Based Ink Solution Offer?

・Siegwerk focuses on inks and coatings dedicated to fiber packaging, supporting flexo and rotary printing for high-speed production lines.

・Formulated around low VOCs, it improves penetration and adhesion on paper fibers, cutting down post-print flaking and mottling.

・At the same thickness, fiber-based inks typically deliver 10% to 15% higher color saturation and gloss, helping brand visuals pop on retail shelves.

・If a client has already invested in flexo equipment or needs large runs of takeout boxes and instant noodle bowls, this route offers clearer capacity flexibility and cost advantages.

## How Should Small and Midsize Print Shops in Taiwan Choose and Execute?

・Check the client's packaging structure first. If it is a single- or double-wall folding carton and you already have offset presses, evaluate SunPak DFC inPace first.

・If it involves multilayer structures, high-speed folding, or flexographic printing, Siegwerk's fiber-based ink is the top pick.

・Pre-delivery checklist: 1️⃣ Confirm the paper stock is unbleached virgin paper or FSC certified. 2️⃣ Verify the ink's DFC certification markings, like FDA 21 CFR 176.170. 3️⃣ Run a small-scale food safety test to check migration values at 95°C for 30 minutes.

・To test feasibility quickly, ask MINDS directly about press trial services, or place a short-run trial order with MINDS. Both routes can be calibrated locally.

## Key Takeaways

・Food-grade ink is the compliance baseline for replacing plastic with paper cartons. Picking the wrong system directly stalls your client's launch schedule.

・SunPak DFC inPace centers on offset, delivering carbon footprint verification and an expanded water-based color palette.

・Siegwerk's fiber-based ink fits high-speed flexo lines and provides richer color saturation.

・Run self-checks matching packaging structure and press equipment early so you can lock in the right ink route during the design stage.

## Further Thoughts

From what I see, competition in paper fiber packaging will shift from mere safety to winning on both sensory appeal and sustainability. When exporting files, designers can rely on SunPak's AquaSafe series to preserve digital color accuracy, then hand things off to Siegwerk's flexo formulation for a final gloss boost before press. For SaaS platforms, offering a one-click module that maps DFC compliance tables to matching ink systems would give small and midsize shops real confidence when quoting jobs. Pairing that with AI preflight tools to automatically check bleed and ink limits will slash re-proofing risks, taking plastic-to-paper conversion from a boardroom concept straight to the pressroom floor.

## Further Reading

・[Sun Chemical Expands Direct Food Contact Ink Portfolio](https://www.thepackagingportal.com/industry-news/sun-chemical-expands-direct-food-contact-ink-portfolio/)

## FAQ

### What certifications are required for paper cartons in direct food contact?

They must meet direct food contact (DFC) standards under FDA 21 CFR 176.170 or EU Regulation No 1935/2004, and the ink itself needs supporting test reports.

### Can I use SunPak DFC inPace if my press is flexo?

SunPak is designed primarily for sheet-fed offset. For flexo, you will need to switch to Siegwerk's fiber-based inks or find a compatible flexo formulation.

### How can I quickly test whether a new ink works in our plant?

Run a small-scale food safety test first to confirm that migration values at 95°C for 30 minutes stay under legal limits. Once confirmed, move to a short test run to verify throughput and color consistency.


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