The printing ink manufacturer Zeller+Gmelin GmbH & Co. KG has formulated a new ink series in a two-year development phase, whose raw materials are state-of-the-art and whose modern formulation is particularly suitable for demanding tasks in label and packaging printing. The UV-curing flexo inks of the UVAFLEX® Y80 series are designed for non-food applications and printing speeds of up to 150 m/min.
Due to the high colour strength, anilox rollers with a lower cell volume can be used. This reduces dot gain for fine details and facilitates the printing of sharp negative fonts. Together with the good surface gloss, this results in lively and detailed print results. The optimised flow behaviour of the inks also has a positive effect on the printing result. It also ensures stable ink transfer and shows no tendency to ink spitting even at high printing speeds in both open and chambered doctor blade systems. Furthermore, the ink series offers fast curing, so that users still have sufficient safety reserves available even at press speeds well above 100 m/min.
The UVAFLEX® Y80 flexo ink series is suitable for combination printing with various processes such as UV screen printing, UV offset printing, UV letterpress printing and UV overprint varnishing. They can also be combined with common converting and finishing processes in label production such as hot or cold foil stamping or thermal transfer printing. The universal ink series can also be used in a wide variety of applications. They range from wine labels on uncoated paper and packaging materials to wrap-around labels and shrink sleeves. In addition, numerous thermal papers can also be printed well.
The UVAFLEX® Y80 series is available as a complete product range. In addition to process colours and Pantone® colours of the digital fan, it also includes monopigmented base inks for colour mixtures and various opaque white grades, including a special white for sleeve applications.
The ongoing evaluation of chemicals within the framework of the EU chemicals regulation REACH also affects some raw materials for the production of printing inks. Therefore, a key requirement in the development of the new UVAFLEX® Y80 ink series was that all components be kept up to date with REACH and that all requirements of the EuPIA Exclusion Policy be complied with.
