Flint Ink has demonstrated a new waterless process ink, which, when mass produced, could potentially revolutionise the industry.

Single Fluid Ink (SFI) can be run on conventional presses using conventional plates, but without the need to balance ink and water. Flint Inks senior chemist, Kevin Kingman, said: Weve created the right surface chemistry which eliminates the need for special plates.

Flint claim that SFI will reduce make ready times because the process of attaining the correct mix is eliminated. President of Flint Ink Asia, Jim Bitterle, said: Unlike conventional printing, with this you can be up to colour in less than 20 sheets.


The ink has been in development for seven years. Kingman said the elimination of water and dampening systems had produced a greater print quality. SFI produces an extremely accurate dot with minimal dot gain. Dots remain visible into the 95% screen range. He also said that colour stability was improved.

SFI is still under development but is patented. Flint has not said when it will be commercially manufactured. Kingman added that although SFI produced a higher quality in terms of dot gain, it currently lacked the brightness of conventional offset printing unless UV coated.
Story by John Davies