TH-INK-ING ABOUT COLOR

Impastato explains, however, it is not unusual to find a press room using an over-engineered ink for an application. Situations such as this usually occur when there is an infrequent need for a specific ink. Often, instead of keeping an extra formulation on hand, the printer will use an ink already in stock, even if it is made for a higher level of performance. "In the long run this may be the most economic approach because the volume of ink needed is so low you cannot justify the added inventory cost of carrying another ink system," he says. "But a printer must always understand the application and end-use requirements; a disastrous situation can occur when an ink is chosen for a job and you find out later it doesn't meet all the end user's requirements. Although an over-engineered product may increase the cost slightly, a under-engineered ink can have a severe financial impact," he concludes.