Wide-web Ink Niche

When asked if they expected UV ink usage to increase in '99, 75 percent of wide-web printers answered no. The key reason, said 67 percent, is that solvent inks still work best for the current business mix. There are "too many unknowns right now" to pursue UV, commented one converter.

The 25 percent of wide-web printers who do intend to step up their UV ink usage cited reasons such as customer demand for aesthetics and scuff resistance, and the emergence of better UV curing solutions on wide-web presses.