Cracking on a fold

Cracking on a fold is the surface breaking when the sheet bends. Dry ink, a brittle coating, or a score in the wrong place all show up as a white or dark line at the crease.

Checks

1. Fold with the grain and against it. A crack that only appears one way is grain or score direction.
2. Let oxidative ink dry fully before you fold. A skin of dry ink over wet ink cracks.
3. A heavy coating or a laminating film needs a score that opens the fiber. Scoring after the film is on is a different setup from bare board.
4. If the fiber itself splits, the board is dry or the score is too deep. Check the stock before you change the ink.

Materials in the directory

Compare paperboard, label stock, coatings.