Focus on Inks & Varnish
While the printer, materials and finishing equipment are considered to be the most important part of the production process, it truly is the inks that make or break a good product. Finding the right one can to suit your needs and requirements doesn’t have to be difficult. Here you can find what is on offer in the industry.
Advancing ink formulations HP
Ink technology continues to play a crucial role in helping printers respond to the changing demands of today’s market. Advances in formulation have improved print quality, durability and productivity, enabling print service providers (PSPs) to increase output while delivering consistent, reliable results across a wider range of applications. As PSPs look to diversify into new markets, selecting the right ink is about far more than achieving vibrant colour. Reliability, media compatibility, environmental performance and ease of use all have a direct impact on productivity, application versatility and the return on investment from printing equipment. Across signage, décor, retail displays and vehicle graphics, the right combination of printer, media and ink can unlock new commercial opportunities. By investing in technologies that deliver consistent
performance across multiple applications, PSPs are better positioned to expand into higher-value work while maintaining quality and efficiency. HP Latex Inks combine vibrant colour reproduction with the durability required for a range of indoor and outdoor applications. HP Latex technology preserves the natural texture, look and feel of materials, giving PSPs greater versatility without being limited to a glossy or matt finish
HP Planet Partners return and recycling programme for HP Original Ink cartridges
typically associated with UV printing. One of the key advantages of HP Latex Ink technology is that prints are dry and ready for immediate finishing or installation, helping businesses shorten turnaround times, streamline workflows, improve efficiency and respond more quickly to customer demands. With regards to white ink applications, HP Latex White Ink further expands opportunities, delivering high-opacity whites that maintain their appearance over time without yellowing. Sustainability also remains an important consideration for many PSPs and their customers. HP Latex’s water-based inks produce low-odour prints suitable for a wide range of indoor environments while offering a substantially lower environmental impact than solvent, eco-solvent and UV ink technologies.
www.hp.com Canon Doing more than delivering colour Canon’s UVgel technology
Inks are increasingly doing more than delivering colour. As print service providers (PSPs) look for new ways to differentiate their output across a broader range of jobs, developments in ink and finishing technology are creating opportunities to experiment with different effects, expand application possibilities and make production more efficient. As a printer’s application range expands, the performance of the ink becomes increasingly important. Producing consistent output with inks that offer strong scratch and scuff resistance can help printed applications withstand everyday handling, while reducing the need for additional processes such as lamination in many cases. These developments can be seen in Canon’s UVgel technology, used across its Colorado range. UVgel ink is pinned to the media before being cured using UV LED light, enabling precise dot placement and producing prints that are instantly dry and scratch
| 46 | July/August 2026
and scuff resistant. Efficiency is also an important consideration as PSPs manage a broader range of jobs. UVgel technology uses around 40% less ink than latex or eco-solvent inks to achieve the same image quality and colour intensity, while low-temperature LED curing reduces energy consumption. Beyond the quality and performance of the ink itself, finishing can
give PSPs further opportunities to differentiate their output. Matt and gloss effects can add another dimension to signage and visual communications, while Canon’s FLXfinish+ enables PSPs to combine matte and gloss effects within the same print without an additional varnish channel, while optional white ink provides further scope to diversify applications. Together, these developments show how inks and finishing are becoming a greater part of the creative and production conversation, helping PSPs explore new applications while balancing visual impact, durability and efficiency.
www.canon.co.uk www.signupdate.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
