There are many factors that influence the choice between surface or reverse-trapped printing. Surface printing is when we apply ink directly to the outer surface of one of the 50 stock films we have on the shelf. Surface printing has a low minimum quantity, a short lead time, and is a good choice for up to 4 spot colors. Its limitations include the following: print in seal or zipper area is prohibited, limited in registration quality, limited in color stations, and the ink may scratch off in aggressive environments. Reverse-trapped process is when the ink is actually printed on the inside of the outer layer of film and then that outer layer is laminated to the sealant layer, therefore encapsulating the ink within the structure. This process provides the best rating for durability, registration, 10 color process printing, and can also be flood coated in the seal and zipper areas. We can help you decide which technology is the best choice for your specific application.