The UV80CL fluorescent security ink will be given its launch at Labelexpo Europe, to be held in Brussels, from 25 to 28 September, and will be available thereafter for retrofitting or as an additional configuration for newly purchased modules.
Domino initially started developing the ink for one of its customers, a large Southern European security printer, which is now testing it, although the manufacturer has seen “repeated requirements” for the same type of product, according to Digital Solutions director Philip Easton, who added that the development phase for the ink had been around three to five years.
“This is one of our key markets to concentrate on,” he said.
“This is a growth market and this product is amongst other things we’ve delivered, such as digital foiling, that support this applications sector.”
The ink prints clear but fluoresces green under an ultraviolet light. It can be used to print 2D codes, barcodes, alpha-numeric codes, images, graphics and for personalised data printing, with Easton adding that it is unique in that it fluoresces green instead of the traditional security ink blue, and that it has moderate lightfastness relative to inks in the same category.
Compatible with standard medias, including coated and uncoated paper, polyethylene and polypropylene, the ink is intended for adding security marks and features to currency, stamps, passports and certificates to prevent forgery or counterfeiting, along with the cosmetics and pharmaceutical markets.
“I think the main purpose is that in security printing you are trying to create complexity to make it difficult to either copy or potentially parallel trade, which is a major issue in the cosmetics market, so by having variable-data printing you add a level of complexity and traceability, you make it that much more difficult,” added Easton.
“There won’t be hundreds and hundreds of these out there as the market is relatively defined but for packaging converters who do pharmaceutical or cosmetic products, this type of thing can be very attractive for those applications.”
Domino will also be using Labelexpo to launch a new white ink digital printer and will be showing updates to its DFEv2.0 workflow solution.
Last year, Domino Printing Sciences launched its Ax-Series of continuous inkjet printers.
