Dealing with Static in Digital Printing: Causes, Effects, and Fixes

If static isn’t controlled, it can derail productivity, damage substrates, and lower print quality. Here’s how to identify static issues — and how to eliminate them before they disrupt your workflow.

Why Static Happens in Print Environments

Static electricity builds when two surfaces rub together — like a roll of film unwinding, or a flat board sliding across a feed tray. The resulting charge attracts dust, interferes with feeding systems, and even causes ink deflection or misting, especially in UV or solvent-based printing.

Contributing factors:

• Low humidity

• High-speed roll feeds

• Plastic-based or coated substrates

• Cold weather or dry indoor climates

• Rubbing materials during loading or trimming

Signs Static Is Affecting Your Prints

• Media sticking together or misfeeding from the roll

• Poor ink laydown or inconsistent print density

• Overspray or fuzzy text edges from deflected ink droplets

• Attracted dust or fibers on the substrate before printing

• Substrates clinging to rollers or guides unexpectedly

Which Substrates Are Most Affected by Static?

• Glossy or matte polypropylene (PP) films

• PET backlit or clear window materials

• PVC and flexible vinyl (wallcovering)

• Thin rigid plastics like polystyrene

• Uncoated synthetics with low surface energy

These substrates are more likely to build static — especially when stored in dry environments or handled quickly.

How to Prevent and Eliminate Static in Digital Printing

1. Control Humidity in the Print Room

• Ideal range: 45–55% relative humidity

• Use a humidifier if necessary during winter or in dry climates

2. Use Anti-Static Brushes or Bars

• Install anti-static brushes near feed rollers or exit paths

• Use ionizing bars on wide-format printers or cutting tables to neutralize charge

3. Ground All Equipment Properly

• Ensure your printer, tables, and media carts are electrically grounded

• Check your grounding points regularly for continuity

4. Wipe Down Substrates Before Printing

• Use an anti-static cloth or lightly damp microfiber to neutralize the surface

• Avoid alcohol wipes unless recommended by the media manufacturer

5. Handle Media Carefully

• Don’t slide rolls quickly on tables

• Avoid unspooling rolls in fast motion

• Let rolled media acclimate in the print room for 24 hours if coming from cold storage

Bonus: Optimize Substrate Selection

If static continues to cause issues, consider switching to substrates that:

• Are treated with anti-static coatings

• Have higher surface energy for better ink wetting

• Are pre-certified for your print system and static-safe handling

You can search for anti-static properties or application notes in tools like Substrate Bank.

Conclusion: Static May Be Invisible — But It’s Not Inevitable

Static is a hidden productivity killer — but with the right environmental controls, tools, and handling techniques, you can minimize print defects and maximize uptime.

Because in digital printing, a smooth job starts with a clean charge — or no charge at all.