Jamie Boggis at Technotrans Graphics examines special inks and how they can help packaging printers
Much has been written on the science of colour, of the best means to measure and monitor it. Colour standards like ISO 12647-2 are very much in vogue. They give a disciplined approach to colour in the pressroom and a provable standard to show to customers, in other words an operational and a marketing advantage.
Cleverer and more precise technology to “read” colour using densitometric and spectrophotometric devices, calibration tools and software to automate adjustments on the run have come to market. Ink manufacturers continue to invest substantial sums each year in researching and developing new inks with better or different pigments. At Technotrans we have evolved over the years a variety of different ink application systems, from handheld or on-press cartridge devices through to the automated pumping systems which are ideal for larger presses and multi-press users.
But recently our focus has turned to the mixing of special inks. Packaging printers have to mix special conventional or UV inks simply and to predictable standards time after time.
We have introduced the Ink.dos m manual and Ink.dos auto automatic ink mixing systems, with up to 30,000 Pantone colour recipes. The manual version uses 14 different base colours in 2.5kg cans as standard. The automatic version uses up to 20 base colours in 25kg canisters or 200kg drums. Both dose with extreme accuracy to within +/-0.1g.
With the demand for provable colour standards – ISO 12647-2 and similar – often written into tender documents there is a clear marketing advantage in being able to control every aspect of colour reproduction. Standardisation of processes is a key element in attaining consistent colour so having the ability to quickly and easily mix to the required recipe has to be an advantage. No special skills are required.
As guardians of the brand for their customers, packaging printers must keep abreast of the technology that enhances colour rendition. Colour plays a vital role in brand recognition and standardisation safeguards the value of the brand.
Having the ability to mix in-house can allow printers to be more responsive to last minute requests, to have better control and reduce costs. Mixing solutions can be one way of printers meeting the 2013 challenge of remaining lean, clean and keenly priced.
