To UV or Not to UV. . .

Buystedt believes that UV screen and UV offset are experiencing some of the most significant quality improvements as of late. “Silicone-free UV screen ink technology has made screen printing more compatible with UV flexo technology, which opens many more doors in combination printing,” he notes.

With UV offset, Duncan sees a distinct difference based on the substrate being used. “When UV litho is printed on plastic substrates, as much of it is, highly structured inks that will give very sharp printing are common. However, when UV litho is printed on plain board or paper, especially with a high recycled fiber content and a lower-strength surface, some creative ink formulation must occur to retain high print quality, while eliminating picking and piling issues from the board.”