UV inks will continue to grow in the next few years (2)

According to Gale Waller, product manager for UV offset at INX International Ink, “The growing concern about mixed inks is mainly due to the revamping of existing conventional presses with UV lamps.” He estimated that the mixed ink market will grow at an annual rate of approximately 8- 10%. “This gives the printing press a great deal of flexibility, especially when the printer only wants to print part of the task. No special blankets, rollers, plates, cleaning or drying processes are needed. Also due to the hybrid printing In-line coating greatly reduces the cost. With the mixed ink, it is no longer necessary to apply under-line coating or to send the task out or through the printing machine again, thereby reducing the delivery time."

The growth of UV inks

In addition to sheet-fed hybrid inks, Duncan believes that UV inks will also have the greatest growth in the inkjet and flexographic markets. UV inkjet is a rapidly growing small market. In addition to UV hybrid inks and UV ink jets, the UV flexo market has tremendous potential for growth. Achieving some of this potential means installing fully UV-compatible medium-format presses, but last year there were not many new presses installed. As printers are increasingly willing to add or upgrade their presses, UV flexo inks will be the big winner. In addition, the printing of UV flexographic inks on UV screen solids and transparent plastics in label applications is also an area of ​​growth.

Dedman said, “I estimate that the flexo printing market will continue to grow steadily, especially in narrow and medium format printing applications. In addition, I have noticed an increase in the use of UV inks in the digital printing market because this technology has become increasingly The more common."

Perhaps the most striking area is UV inkjet, which is mainly used for wide-format printing. Some ink manufacturers are developing inks for printing applications such as billboards or other outdoor signage.

SunJet is a division of Sun Chemical, and recently its Crystal line introduced two colorized UV inkjet systems. John Law, general manager of the company, points out that "ultraviolet digital printing is becoming more and more powerful." These inks are designed for hard and flexible media. Designed for large display printing with high flexibility, film hardness and scratch resistance as well as proven inkjet reliability.

Priesmeyer said, "UV inkjet is a small and specialized market, and its overall potential will be unknown for many years."

Templeman said, “Digital printing has great potential for printing and industrial applications. We have a research and development program in the lab, but print heads and equipment manufacturers have brought products to smaller independent ink manufacturers like us. Caused difficulties."

Priesmeyer believes that the value of UV inks will drive its development in new areas. “Printers are looking for opportunities in new markets to compensate for the loss of traditional printing operations. This action will focus on general commercial printing and special-purpose printing as well as the sheet-fed printing market of screen printers seeking to avoid the creation of VOCs. In the newspaper market, UV flexo printing and UV offset printing will continue to be profitable because printers are always looking for ways to increase productivity and help package buyers fire their brands."

Improve performance

The instant curing ability of UV inks gives printers great advantages in productivity, and people are still seeking greater gains in productivity. Priesmeyer pointed out that printers are most interested in productivity and durability. “The increase in productivity and efficiency, or the need for additional performance that is not readily achievable by other processes, is the reason why people use higher-cost UV inks. For example, the need for instant drying for sheet-fed applications, and other uses for lasers. Printability, wear resistance and chemical resistance requirements."