What do the products do?
Flint’s Ultraking XCURA is a range of UV-cured inks that support the latest UV curing systems, both ‘low-energy’ (LE) and LED-based UV systems. Low-energy lamps are also known as modified metal halide lamps and identified by press makers variously as H-UV (Komori), LE (Heidelberg) and HR (KBA). Ryobi and Sakurai are the only vendors pushing LED UV.
“There’s a revolution taking place, albeit not so much in the UK but definitely in the rest of Europe,” says Flint global UV sheetfed business director Jim Buchanan. “These LED and low-energy technology curing systems mean that sheets are dry straight away, eliminating spray powder, potentially the need for oil-based over print varnish (OPV) and water-based coatings and IR dryers, which cuts energy costs.”
The initial spur for these systems was the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, when the subsequent scaling back of nuclear power led to severe electricity shortages and rationing and then a longer term push for lower power consumption products. Hence Komori leading the way with H-UV, and Ryobi and Sakurai with LED curing.
One of the biggest benefits of the new inks is that you don’t need to buy a new press to benefit. The simpler and smaller UV systems can be retrofitted to existing presses for less than standard UV systems and a number of firms are starting to offer that.
When were they launched and what market are they aimed at?
XCURA LE was launched last November, followed in February by XCURA LED. The inks are aimed at general commercial printers who want to offer faster turnarounds and use a wide range of substrates, and at existing UV-cured printers looking to reduce their energy consumption.
How do they work?
The sensitivity of the photo-initiators in the ink are optimised to the output of LE lamps and UV LEDs. Iron-doped LE lamps have a higher output of energy in the longer-wavelength end of the UV spectrum, and the LE inks are optimised for those. Similarly the LED inks are optimised for the output of LED UV diodes.
How do they differ from previous products?
These are more sensitive inks, which means fewer and less powerful lamps can be used.
How fast/productive are they?
On press performance is on a par with conventional inks – there is no reduction in running speeds or time to colour. The biggest speed boost comes in post-press. As the sheets are fully cured there is no need to stand while the ink sets, so they can be cut, folded and finished immediately with no risk of marking.
What is the USP of these products?
Flint claims that XCURA is equally suitable for porous and non-porous substrates, which means that one ink can handle paper and plastics.
How easy are they to use?
Less heat reduces the need to extract the excess, while also making it possible to print heat-sensitive materials without the danger of distortion or scorching. Another advantage of both lamp types is the elimination of ozone, and therefore the need for extraction, again cutting installation and operating costs.
How much do they cost?
The price is three and a half to four times more than oil-based offset inks, and about a third more than standard UV inks. The reason is that the photo initiators that provide the benefits cost three to five times more than standard photo-initiators. However, Flint believes it is important to look at overall operating costs rather than the ink cost alone, and when the reduced upfront and ongoing costs of the curing system are considered along with faster throughput, it says the return is compelling.
What is the sales target?
Buchanan says: “It’s something every commercial offset printer should consider. Rather than being an exception to the rule in commercial offset, I believe the new technologies will become the standard.” There are signs, on the continent at least, that this is true with most of the new commercial offset presses installed recently being configured with low energy or LED UV curing.
SPECIFICATIONS
Substrates Paper, board and plastics
Colours CMYK and specials
Light sources supported LE and LED
ISO 2846-1 (for ISO 12647-2 production) Yes
Price 3.5-4 times the cost of oil-based offset inks, 33% more than standard UV inks
Contact Flint Group 0161 775 5412 www.flintgrp.com
ALTERNATIVES
Stehlin Hostag NewV
Stehlin Hostag has LE and LED versions of
its NewV UV range of inks. It also offers
variants tuned to different presses, so
there is a Heidelberg LE and a Komori H-UV optimised product. The manufacturer believes most firms will opt for ink tailored to the substrate.
Substrates Paper, board and plastics (separate inks for paper and plastic)
Colours CMYK and specials
Light sources supported LE and LED
ISO 2846-1 (for ISO 12647-2 production) Yes
Price 2.5-3 times the cost of oil-based offset inks, LE inks 20% more than standard UV inks, LED inks 40% more than standard UV inks
Contact Stehlin Hostag 0115 9860477 www.stehlin.co.uk
Sun Chemical SunCure Lite
Sun Chemical’s SunCure Lite stands out in being a single product for both LE and LED systems. It’s optimised for paper although may work on “some easier plastics”.
Substrates Paper and boards
Colours CMYK and specials
Light sources supported LE and LED (with one ink)
ISO 2846-1 (for ISO 12647-2 production) Yes
Price 3.5-4times the cost of oil-based offset, 50% more than standard UV
Contact Sun Chemical 020 3138 0000 www.sunchemical.com
USER REVIEW
“I use Flint’s XCURA inks on a Komori H-UV, they deliver pin-sharp dot reproduction, stable printing, quick makeready and vibrant colours. Flint also provides high-quality technical care and a continuous improvement of the inks”
Rene Fritsch Owner of Fritsch-Druck in Leipzig, Germany
