DIGITAL Inks
applications such as white ink for packaging and Ultrachrome subsets for proofing and photographic purposes. We are constantly looking to improve existing applications and to replace traditional techniques with inkjet, such as metallics or textiles.”
Switching supplier
Epson Ultrachrome high-density pigments ensure vibrant colours and accurate neutral and dark tones
smooth tonal range. The high-density pigments ensure vibrant colours and accurate neutral and dark tones.
The addition of Vivid Magenta further expanded the gamut, in particular in skintones, where it is said to provide accurate colour rendition with virtually no colour twist. The nine-colour inkset comprises photo black, matte black, light black, light light black, cyan, light cyan, yellow, vivid magenta and vivid light magenta.
Epson Ultrachrome high dynamic range (HDR) is the next generation pigment ink. Featuring two extra colours, green and orange, Ultrachrome HDR again provides a smoother tonal range. This is designed to ensure higher colour accuracy, greater subtlety and smoother gradations.
Results are all white
In 2009 Epson produced an aqueous-based white ink printing technology. Epson Ultrachrome HDR White Ink introduces a new organic hollow resin particle technology, which
forces light to randomly scatter, producing the illusion of seeing the colour white. This approach to producing white results in a high white ink density, as well as the ability for custom white colour toning. It also provides professional short-term colour stability for mission-critical colour proofing on a range of substrates, including inkjet coated transparent and metallic films.
The introduction of the Stylus Pro GS6000 also brought Ultrachrome GS inks, Epson’s first solvent eight-colour inkset. It boasts excellent image quality and high colour stability with natural tones and intensive colour in saturated reds, greens and blues and gives enhanced support for spot colours. The ink conforms to environmental standards and does not carry a hazard symbol. External dryers and air purifications systems are eliminated, enabling operators to work in a normal lightly-ventilated environment, while the machine can be positioned in the most convenient location for the business. Epson Europe senior product manager LFP, Marco van Nierkerk, said: “Epson targets niche
The economy has played a large part in the market we see today, particularly the issue of availability. With marketing budgets seriously reduced, it is important to tackle a job immediately - if your suppliers can’t meet your demands then someone else will. Colorific has taken advantage of this with additions to its range of inks for Roland, Mutoh and Mimaki solvent-based printers. Available through IGS UK’s approved reseller network, these inks boast high grade chemistries, catering for users who want lower cost alternatives which meet demanding standards in terms of colour gamut and durability. The company's portfolio encompasses the majority of eco and mild solvent printers currently in use and there are now products available for the majority of machines using popular print-heads such as those from Epson, Seiko, Fujifilm Dimatix/Spectra, plus Xaar and its licensees which include Konica Minolta and Toshiba Tec.
Colorific inks are formulated to match their more expensive counterparts so some printer models are able to switch products on the fly. This mix and match capability means that Colorific Pro versions can be used alongside original products, saving time and money when transferring.
And finally
When it comes to choosing an inkjet solution, users must find a balance between price and performance, looking at the cost of ownership, rather than the cost of individual elements. While this may seem complicated, bear in mind that the most important factor is the end result and you can only hope to achieve the best in price in line with your expectation of quality.
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www.sunchemical.com llll
www.colorificink.com llll
www.epson.co.uk
Colorific inks are identical to the original and some can be switched on the fly
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April/May 2010 l SCREEN PROCESS AND DIGITAL IMAGING
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