Scott Sabreen, President and Owner of The Sabreen Group, Inc., was invited to speak at the “Plastic Possibilities: Direct Printing” webinar hosted by Industrial Print Magazine and presented by Rockport Custom Publishing, LLC. The live event took place on November 13, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. EST.
Key Takeaways
- Direct digital printing to plastic is difficult, not impossible — the variables are known and manageable.
- Surface energy is the recurring obstacle, determining whether ink adheres initially and stays adhered.
- Material, manufacturing method and service environment all shape the outcome alongside the ink itself.
- The Sabreen Group has served over 525 companies in 34 countries since 1992 in secondary plastics processing.
Addressing the Challenges of Direct Digital Printing to Plastics
Direct digital printing to plastic presents unique challenges that require specialized knowledge and expertise. As the webinar description highlighted: “Direct digital printing to plastic is challenging, but that doesn’t make it impossible. Variables such as low surface energy, the variations of plastic, how it is manufactured, and environment it is placed in all play a role when it comes to ensuring ink initially adheres to the surface and remains there for the intended duration.”
Scott Sabreen’s presentation drew from over three decades of hands-on experience helping manufacturers solve complex plastics processing problems. The Sabreen Group has been at the forefront of secondary plastics process manufacturing since 1992, providing engineering consulting services to over 525 companies in 34 countries worldwide.
Key Topics Covered
The webinar addressed critical factors that influence successful inkjet printing on plastic substrates, including:
- Surface energy considerations and how they affect ink adhesion
- The diverse landscape of plastic materials and their unique printing requirements
- Manufacturing process impacts on printability
- Environmental factors affecting ink durability and longevity
- Surface pretreatment solutions for optimal ink adhesion
Distinguished Panel of Speakers
Scott Sabreen joined an expert panel of industry leaders for this educational webinar:
- Samantha Solomon-Crump, R&D Manager at Innovative Digital Systems
- Kenneth Stack, Executive Chairman at Engineered Printing Solutions
- Melissa Donovan, Editor of Digital Output/Industrial Print (Moderator)
- Scott Sabreen, President/Owner of The Sabreen Group
About Scott Sabreen and The Sabreen Group
Scott Sabreen is a recognized authority in secondary plastics process manufacturing, with expertise spanning surface pretreatments, Plasma treatment, adhesive bonding, inkjet printing, Laser Marking, laser welding, industrial coatings, and anti-counterfeiting technologies. His company’s innovative processes have been implemented in manufacturing applications ranging from the International Space Station to pharmaceuticals and consumer electronics.
The Sabreen Group’s game-changing processes consistently deliver lower-cost manufacturing, six-sigma quality, and critical market advantages for their clients. The company motto, “Failure is Not an Option,” reflects their unwavering commitment to solving even the most challenging plastics manufacturing problems.
Learn More
For more information about The Sabreen Group’s inkjet printing solutions and other plastics manufacturing services, visit www.sabreen.com or call 972-820-6777.
To learn more about the webinar event, visit: RCP Buyers Guide Event Page
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the webinar about?
“Plastic Possibilities: Direct Printing”, hosted by Industrial Print Magazine and presented by Rockport Custom Publishing, addressing why direct digital printing to plastic is challenging and how those challenges are solved in practice.
Why is direct printing to plastic so difficult?
Because several variables compound. Low surface energy resists ink wetting, plastics vary enormously between and within families, the manufacturing method affects the surface, and the service environment determines whether the ink stays put for its intended life.
What determines whether ink stays adhered long term?
Initial adhesion depends on surface energy and ink-substrate compatibility. Durability depends additionally on cure quality, the service environment, and whether low molecular weight materials such as mold release or slip agents migrate to the surface after printing.
Who is Scott Sabreen?
President and owner of The Sabreen Group, with over three decades of hands-on experience solving plastics processing problems. The firm has provided engineering consulting in secondary plastics manufacturing since 1992.
Where can I get help with a direct printing problem?
The Sabreen Group provides engineering consulting on inkjet printing on plastics and surface pretreatment, including onsite evaluation and process development using actual production parts.
