drukdrager

Drukdrager is a Dutch term for the substrate or carrier material on which printing takes place. It is the surface to which ink, toner, or other imaging materials are applied and must provide stability in shape and dimensions throughout the printing process and subsequent handling. The concept is used across several printing technologies, including offset, digital, flexographic, and screen printing.

Common drukdragers include paper and cardboard, plastic films (such as polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate), metal foils (notably aluminium), textiles, and coated or laminated substrates. The choice of drukdrager depends on factors such as appearance, ink adhesion, surface roughness, porosity, thickness, rigidity, barrier properties, and the intended end use (for example publishing, packaging, or labeling). In packaging, for instance, barrier properties and printability are crucial, while for display or textile applications other properties may take priority.

Pre-treatment and coatings often play a key role in achieving reliable printing. Substrates may require surface energy modification (for example corona or plasma treatment), priming, or special coatings to improve ink spreading, adhesion, drying or curing. Compatibility between the drukdrager and the chosen printing process is essential to ensure color fidelity, sharpness, and durability.

Environmental considerations are increasingly important in selecting drukdragers. Recyclability, compostability, and the use of recycled content influence material choice and end-of-life handling. The term remains central in the graphic arts, packaging, and printed electronics, where the substrate directly affects print quality and performance.