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

By Tom Polischuk

For a holographic effect, the Flint Group has developed an ink system, called the HolographINK Process, that is designed to eliminate the need for printing on holographic materials. It can be used to deliver attractive, eye-catching graphics or in anti-counterfeiting applications. The technology uses flexo printing in combination with photopolymer plates to transfer the image to a wide variety of substrates, with a final UV curing ink.