Spectra, a New Hampshire-based ink-jet printhead manufacturer, and Flint Ink have developed a 100% water-based drop-on-demand ink-jet system.


Spectra vice president of marketing and sales Per Frost said that the system had been tested in a textile printing machine from DuPont, but that its real market application was in the wide-format graphics arena.


"Were talking to a number of manufacturers at the moment, but were at a stage where we cant go into detail. There will be a further announcement later on in the year," said Frost.


Spectras Nova-Q printhead has been in development for over a year, and the firm recommends that it be used in conjunction with Flints ARROWJET AQ DOD inks. The piezo printhead has 256 jets and can use pigment or dye-based high-viscosity inks.


Frost said: "Flint Ink has significant expertise in water-based flexographic inks, news inks and continuous ink-jet inks. It was able to develop prototype drop-on-demand formulations very quickly."


Spectra supplies printheads to its parent company Markem, as part of an OEM agreement, as well as Vutek.


Story by John Davies