Glitter, pearlescent, fluorescent, thermochromic—even the names of specialty inks raise the specter of something exciting.

By Tom Polischuk

Alden & Ott’s Meterorite metallic ink system for narrow web flexo printing uses very small metallic particle sizes that support high-quality overprinting. The Meterorite series has been designed to provide excellent coverage on higher line anilox rolls with doctor blade metering systems.

Metallic inks can also be used as a cost-effective alternative to foil applications. Lorenz says that in packaging applications requiring less than 25 percent coverage, vacuum metallized inks can be more cost effective than foil.