New Ink Technologies Make Industry More Efficient, Sustainable

Efficient Printing Methods

The label-printing industry is like many others–it’s constantly evolving. And part of this ongoing evolution is the development of new printing, label, substrate and ink technologies.
Recently, Labels and Labeling published an article about the latest developments in ink technology which includes the use of renewable resources in creating inks. Whitlam Group is no stranger to green initiatives. In February, we partnered with Ecology Coatings to help develop sustainable packaging initiatives. But we also employ the latest ink technologies.

Some of the newest developments in ink creation are low-migration inks. The Flint Group is spearheading this with the launch of is Flexocure Ancora UV flexo line of inks. Not only are these inks scratch resistant on synthetic substrates, the company also said they provide improved adhesion. But, the Flint Group didn’t stop there. It also announced that its BioCure UV flexo inks are going to be available worldwide. The composition of these inks includes 10 percent linseed oil acrylic, which is a renewable alternative to traditional resin.
Ink manufacturer Siegwerk is taking the issue of sustainability head on by launching the Sicura ECO, another form of UV flexo inks, which are made with 50 percent renewable raw materials. Creating a more sustainable industry will not only help keep us and the rest of the label and ink manufacturers ahead of the game, but will also allow us to do more with the resources we have. That’s one of the reasons we partnered with Ecology Coatings. With this collaboration, we will be able to create more sustainable packaging solutions. Add in the use of sustainable inks and printing methods and we have a recipe for a product that is better in the long run.
Another step Siegwerk is taking to increase sustainability is by introducing its Fast Match color management system. This system will automatically calculate the amount of ink required for a specific project and provide “formulas to create the necessary color from leftover ink.” The using of leftover ink is one of the most efficient ways to improve sustainability practices. It’s also one of the best ways to save money in the printing business, which is why flexographic printing has become more popular over the years.
Many flexographic printing strategies give you the option to recycle ink and other printing materials to increase efficiency and is one of Whitlam’s specialties. Another reason for its rise in popularity is because of its versatility. Flexographic printing gives manufacturers the ability to print on a variety of substrates, making each project more customizable.
If you have questions about how Whitlam Group can use this type of technology for your printing and packaging needs, contact us today!