Acid-Resistant Printed Electrolytic Tinplate Coils for Tomato & Harissa Can Packaging

This specialized product line consists of pre-printed Electrolytic Tin Plate (ETP), also known as SPTE, coils and sheets engineered explicitly for packaging aggressive food products like tomatoes, harissa paste, tuna, and sardines. These foods are highly acidic, demanding packaging materials that offer superior corrosion resistance to prevent can failure and preserve flavor integrity. Our tinplate meets this challenge head-on. The substrate is a cold-rolled, low-carbon steel strip electrolytically coated with a uniform layer of pure tin, providing a robust, sacrificial barrier against chemical attack. Furthermore, the material is custom-printed with high-definition lithography, allowing for vibrant, durable branding directly on the can body or end. This combination delivers a ready-to-fabricate, visually striking, and technically reliable solution for demanding food canning applications.

• Exceptional Acid Resistance: Formulated to withstand the corrosive nature of high-acid content foods (like tomatoes and harissa), preventing internal rust and ensuring long-term product safety and shelf stability.
• Premium Lithographic Printing: The surface is optimized for high-quality, multi-color printing, enabling sharp graphics and text that enhance shelf appeal and brand recognition directly on the metal.
• Robust Material Foundation: Available in various tempers (T1-T5, DR7-DR9) and hardness grades (TH520, TH550), providing the necessary formability for deep drawing and the strength for container integrity.
• Versatile Substrate Options: Can be supplied as traditional tinplate (SPTE/ETP) for excellent solderability or as Tin-Free Steel (TFS) for superior enamel adhesion and enhanced sulfide stain resistance.
• Food-Grade Safety Compliance: Manufactured from prime MR/SPCC steel with non-toxic coatings, ensuring full suitability for direct food contact according to international standards.

Implementing this pre-printed, acid-resistant tinplate streamlines your production process for challenging products. It eliminates the need for separate decoration steps, reduces time-to-market, and ensures consistent print quality. The inherent corrosion resistance minimizes the risk of spoilage and costly recalls. By offering both ETP and TFS options, we provide flexibility to optimize for your specific manufacturing process (welding vs. soldering) and cost structure. The material's consistency ensures high runnability on automated can-making lines.

Q1: How does this tinplate protect against acidic foods like tomatoes?
A1: The electrolytic tin coating acts as a sacrificial anode, corroding preferentially to the steel base. When combined with an appropriate food-grade internal lacquer (applied during can making), it creates a dual-layer barrier that effectively isolates the acidic content from the metal.

Q2: What file formats do you accept for printing artwork?
A2: We prefer vector-based files for the best quality, such as CDR (CorelDRAW) or AI (Adobe Illustrator). High-resolution PDF and PSD files are also acceptable. Artwork should be a minimum of 300 DPI.

Q3: Is the printed ink safe for food packaging?
A3: All printing is applied to the external surface of the can. The internal surface, which contacts the food, is coated with the inert tin layer (or chromium for TFS) and a food-grade protective lacquer, ensuring no ink migrates to the product.

Q4: What is the typical lead time for a custom printed order?
A4: Lead time varies by order size and complexity. For standard specifications, sample approval takes 3-7 business days. Mass production for large orders typically requires 15-30 days after final artwork and specifications are confirmed.

Q5: Can you supply a specific thickness like 0.4mm for heavier cans?
A5: Yes. While our standard range is 0.15-0.40mm, we can customize thicknesses, including 0.4mm, to meet the structural requirements for larger or heavier-duty food cans upon request.

PRINTING TINPLATE