TH-INK-ING ABOUT COLOR

Even if hybrid inks fit the objectives of your operation, integrating them could be a challenge. "Starting up a hybrid ink system is not cheap," affirms Bean. "The ink is more expensive than its conventional counterpart, upkeep on the UV lamps is essential, and retrofitting can be difficult, but printers currently using the systems report the savings incurred by the speed alone will make up for the losses elsewhere." Because the systems allow printers to switch back and forth between hybrid and conventional inks, he believes within the foreseeable future most sheetfed presses will come equipped with UV capabilities.