Crazy for Combos
Dedman agrees with Daming's concerns over the cost of the expensive components necessary on a press to run solvent-based gravure ink. It is here, in the inks that are applied in combination runs, that SICPA has attempted to find ways to assist these issues economically.
"There are developments on several fronts," Dedman explains. "Improved rotary screen opaque whites, which provide better opacity while allowing UV and EB flexo, UV letterpress, and UV offset overprinting without the addition of silicone to the inks; ink and coating formulations in all major narrow web processes which accept both hot- and cold-foiling and other decorative processes; newly developed solvent- water- and UV-based inks and coatings for narrow- to mid-web gravure printing; and finally, an evolving focus on how digital printing will fit into the combination printing arena."
