Beyond Substrates: Advancing Technologies, Wide Selections for Digital Printing

"The Epson SurePress L-4033AW and SurePress AQ ink have nearly 100 percent compatibility with standard label substrates without pre-treatments or coatings," notes Mike Pruitt, Epson SurePress product manager. "Customers can purchase materials directly through the substrate vendor."

Adaption required

It's not just substrates that have adapted to the digital presses. The presses, imaging technologies, and inks and toners have become increasingly sophisticated and offer more flexibility with respect to substrates. Inkjet presses such as those offered by Jetrion and Epson, use inks designed to work with standard label substrates. They can handle a somewhat wider variety of label-specific materials than electrophotographic (EP) presses. They are also adept at handling metalized films and very thin or heat-sensitive materials, making them attractive for applications that can be challenging to run on some EP presses. Both HP Indigo and Xeikon presses can also print on some metalized films and heat sensitive stocks. This was once considered impossible, but new toner chemistry, such as the lower fusing temperature of Xeikon's Ice toner, open the way to printing on some metallic films as well as other thinner and lighter stocks.