The Screen L350UV SAI S – already the best-selling inkjet press in the ANZ region, has taken a leap forward with the announcement at Drupa of an inline digital primer option.
In the packaging industry, a wide (and growing) variety of substrates are used in different regions and for different jobs. Compared to other digital methods, UV inkjet printing is more suitable for wide substrates and is more durable, and its popularity has increased based on these advantages.
However, compared to conventional printing with its wide range of ink types, UV inkjet printing may not produce satisfactory results on some special substrates, with the potential for low-dyne synthetics or porous paper stocks to produce unsatisfactory results with regards to adhesion, wettability/ink density or potential bleed.
In response to these trends, SCREEN has developed the Digital Primer Option for its L350UV SAI S to provide printers with the ability to improve adhesion, graininess and other characteristics. This option utilises the extra head space in the L350UV SAI S to install an inline inkjet primer unit without requiring additional installation space and additional main UV lamps.
The primer unit can automatically generate a primer layer based on print data. This ability to use the primer without additional work maximises the superior usability of digital printing. Furthermore, the ink itself can be a near-transparent colour and can be used like varnish in some cases, making it more decorative and a means of adding value. In this way, the inline primer unit can be used to expand the range of materials and applications for digital printing, increase the digital printing processes, and add value. This creates further cost advantages and contributes to the system’s environmental friendliness by reducing waste and power consumption.
This elevates the L350UV SAI S to a new level and provides users with the ability to enter new markets that have previously been outside of inkjet’s area of competence. Specifically in the ANZ market, this will enable strong entry into a series of substantial print segments including the wine and spirits segment, where uncoated papers have long been a challenge for inkjet (as they are for flexo).
Jet Technologies will be installing a brand-new L350UV SAI S including the Digital Primer Option in their Sydney Technology centre in June/July. At the same time, Jet Technologies will also be installing their much-anticipated Jet IQ finishing solution, complete with Versatex Print Bar. The combination of the L350UV SAI S and the Jet IQ finishing solution will be an exciting proposition for those looking for new ways to innovate in the Wine and Spirit segment, as well as the broader labels and packaging market.
Caption:
The Digital Primer Option utilises the extra head space in the L350UV SAI S to install an inline inkjet primer unit
Appointments to see either of these machines can be made via your Jet Technologies account manager or David Reece at [email protected]