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Inks/Coatings/Primers

Eco Inks

Published: January 01, 2009, By By Edward Boyle, Contributing Editor
While sustainability has attracted greater attention from converters and suppliers alike in recent years, the importance of ink in the process sometimes

A Host of Options for Brand Security

Published: January 01, 2009, By By Jörg Dähnhardt, Heidelberg USA Inc.
In today's converting and packaging environment, security needs are changing constantly. Security features traditionally used only on important documents

Ink Dispensing: Mix to Match

Published: November 01, 2008, By Edited By Claudia Hine, Managing Editor
With supermarkets taking an ever-greater share of the groceries market, high-impact decorative packaging, which attracts consumers' attention at the point

Solvent Retention in Packaging

Published: October 01, 2008, By By David Argent Contributing Editor
Solvent-based gravure and flexo inks used in packaging always retain small amounts of solvent in the final package. When measured and controlled, this

UV/EB Inks Are Suitable for Laminated Structures

Published: October 01, 2008, By By James E. Goodrich, Sartomer Co.
Ultraviolet/electron beam (UV/EB) technology continues to infiltrate the established graphics markets and create new markets as well. Traditionally, UV/EB

Lightfastness in Package Printing

Published: September 01, 2008, By by David Argent Contributing Editor
When you take into account the time and effort spent on supplying packaging with precise colors, it follows the expectation that these colors should stay the same during the product use cycle

Sun Ink an Award Winner

Published: September 01, 2008
Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation announced that Sun Chemical was awarded a 2008 InterTech Technology Award for its Platinum White technology

Donation Is a Hit

Published: July 01, 2008
CHICAGO, IL Graymills Corp. has donated six of its Quick Change peristaltic ink pumps to Clemson Univ.'s flexographic lab. Jay Sperry of the Sonoco Inst.

New Marking Process Is Patented

Published: May 01, 2008
CHESHIRE, UK DataLase has been granted a patent for a new transparent pigment for application on clear films or substrates. The pigment undergoes a color

European Ink Portfolio Is Announced

Published: May 01, 2008
STUTTGART, GERMANY Flint Group's Packaging Inks Div. has completed a European project to identify the Best of 4 solutions for all standard application

Drying Part 3: Paste Inks

Published: April 01, 2008, By By David Argent Contributing Editor
This column will review the two primary drying methods of paste inks. Oil-Based Inks The main application of oil-based inks is in litho printing, primarily

Drying Part 2: Computer Simulation

Published: March 01, 2008, By By David Argent Contributing Editor
Drying of liquid inks is a simple mechanism requiring complex engineering. About 20 years ago I worked on computer-simulated drying to develop ink formulation

Process Management: Drying Part 1: Liquid Inks

Published: February 01, 2008, By By David Argent Contributing Editor
In the next three columns, we will cover the basic mechanisms of ink drying. This month we look at inks drying primarily by evaporation and absorption

Sun to Support Pantone

Published: January 01, 2008
PARSIPPANY, NJ Sun Chemical reports its worldwide sales force and infrastructure is ready to support Sun's customers as the new Pantone Goe color language

Opacity & White Ink

Published: January 01, 2008, By By David Argent Contributing Editor
White ink is used extensively in printing plastic films for packaging. The role of the white print is to totally or partially block the package ingredients

The 7 Deadly (Converting) Sins

Published: December 01, 2007, By By David Argent Contributing Editor
There are some basic problems that crop up over and over again, with costly results in wasted time and materials. Below are examples, in capsule form,

Hierarchy of Value: Part II

Published: November 01, 2007, By By David Argent Contributing Editor
Last month’s column offered a value model as a way of visualizing the value of a product or service based on price/performance ratio

Wet on Wet

Published: October 01, 2007, By By Edward Boyle, Contributing Editor
Uniprint Knauer (formerly UV-Flex) recently installed a Fischer & Krecke WetFlex ten-color Flexpress 16 S press. It features Sun Chemical’s WetFlex technology, Energy Sciences’ EZCure-I electron beam (EB) curing system, and Advanced Vision Technology’s PrintVision/Argus defect detection system. The flexographic printing process applies Sun Chemical’s UniQure inks wet-on-wet to the substrate; the inks are in-line EB cured, thereby reducing energy costs and improving quality.

Reduce & Comply

Published: September 01, 2007, By By Sheila A. Millar and J. C. Walker, Keller and Heckman LLP
Going green? Be prepared to face the challenges of today’s complex environmental compliance regulations.

JDSU Introduces Color-Shifting Flake for Unique Color Differentiation

Published: August 30, 2007, By pffc-online.com
JDSU has introduced ChromaFlair ColorShift Glitter, a new color-shifting flake that gives paints, coatings, plastics, textiles, and packaging the ability to exhibit a wide range of hues when viewed from different angles.

Operators' Opinions Matter

Published: August 01, 2007, By David Argent, Contributing Editor
Why consult operators? The best way to make improvements is to involve those actually performing the work.

Working Undercover

Published: July 01, 2007, By By Corey M. Reardon AWA Alexander Watson Assoc.
Brand security and authentication are integral features of product design in today’s global economy. Converters have a role to play.

Flexo Press for EB WetFlex Launched in Germany

Published: June 19, 2007, By pffc-online.com
UV-Flex GmbH held an open house event on April 18-19 to feature Fischer & Krecke's first CI flexo press designed to use Sun Chemical's EB curable WetFlex ink technology.

Color 101: Part I

Published: January 01, 2007, By By David Argent Contributing Editor
It has been my experience that color theory basics are communicated well by suppliers of color measurement devices. This month we will explore the practical application of this information.

Ink Mileage: Measure & Manage

Published: December 01, 2006, By By David Argent Contributing Editor
In we reviewed ink transfer. With this basic understanding, we can move on to actual numbers on the basis of that which can be measured can be managed. Skeptics abound who believe there are too many variables to get useful data. Others think this is an opportunity to isolate and minimize process variation and thus improve productivity and reduce waste.

Managing the Ink Films

Published: November 01, 2006, By David Argent, Contributing Editor
Last month we discussed ink composition in relation to various printing methods. Now we’ll look at basic differences in ink delivery.

Ink 101: Part II

Published: October 01, 2006, By By David Argent Contributing Editor
Last month we reviewed ink usage numbers as an input to converting, noting that as a percentage, ink purchases are small, especially when compared to

Ink 101: Part I

Published: September 01, 2006, By By David Argent Contributing Editor
It is estimated the total North American (US and Canada) market for packaging materials is approximately $125 billion in annual shipments. Ink is a relatively

Are Universal Products Possible?

Published: August 01, 2006, By By David J. Bentley Jr. Contributing Editor
The question seems like a good one when we first hear it. Why is there not a universal adhesive, coating, or ink? Such a material certainly would make

Inks Keep Getting Smarter

Published: June 30, 2006, By Stanley Sacharow, The Packaging Group

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