Consumables

Dorset-based VTS says it has achieved great success with EDX Eco Solvent Triangle inks, having installed 22 machines in the past four months with the colour and chemically compatible alternative ink. This dual compatibility allows users to perform cartridge-by-cartridge changeover without wasting ink, and new colour profiles are not required in order to obtain the same colour as OEM inks when printing.

VTS came across Triangle EDX inks in a rather convoluted way.  VTS specialises in supplying printer warranties on Roland and Uniform printers. Not surprisingly, as two of the three founders once worked for Roland, they were always very dubious about alternative inks. So much so, that they quote a higher price for their warranties for printers using alternative inks. That was until one of their engineers had a service call to a Roland printer. The breakdown had nothing to do with the ink train but once the printer was repaired, the engineer noticed how impressive the quality of the prints coming off the printer was. He was astonished to find out that alternative inks were being used and was keen to learn which ones. They were Triangle EDX inks.

The engineer discussed this with the VTS team and they were so astonished they installed a set of Triangle EDX inks in one of their own printers to test them. The inks were run for several months without a single problem. “The fact that these alternative inks performed so well was rather a surprise.” Brian Peckham, Director at VTS said. He continues, “It did put us in rather a dilemma. Up until then we’d been very clear; our warranty customers would be covered if they used alternative inks but we charged them a premium. Looking at the Triangle inks, and then testing them thoroughly proved that they worked just as well as the OEM ones we’d always recommended.

Brian continued, “So, we spoke to Josero and found them to be a company on the same wavelength as us in terms of customer support and service. We were so impressed by Josero and the quality of the Triangle inks they supply that we’ve had to change our policy. Now we tell people, there is one warranty price for customers on OEM or Triangle inks and then a higher price for customers who want warranty cover whilst using any other ink.

The icing on the cake as far as VTS are concerned is that they have chosen to sell Triangle inks. Since starting four months ago, they have installed 22 printers with Triangle EDX inks, all resulting in very happy customers. Brian Peckham concluded, “I wish we’d discovered Josero and Triangle years ago; we could have saved our customers a lot of money.”

Loic Delor, Managing Director of Josero added, “Triangle EDX inks really do offer significant cost savings compared to OEM eco solvent inks, typically saving users around 40%. They are designed for Roland printers with Epson DX4 print head technology and are low odour fast drying inks. These attributes are critical to anyone wanting to use environmentally friendly inks. We are delighted that we can offer consistently reliable products to customers and save them money.”

For more information, please visit www.josero.com

The Loparex Group is investing significantly in its European operation for release liner production.   As part of an ongoing programme of global  investments to  further enhance Loparex Group’s capability to serve the global release liner market, the Apeldoorn production facility in The Netherlands will be equipped with an extensive capacity and capability expansion by Q3, 2012.   The additional capacity and product capabilities in Europe will complement Loparex’ existing world-class manufacturing facilities in North America, China, India and Thailand.

Loparex customers within traditional pressure-sensitive markets for release liners such as graphic arts, tapes and medical, as well as growing sectors such as photovoltaics, electronics and composites, will benefit from local service capability and technical support from every region of the globe. 

‘One-stop shop’

The expansion project includes the installation of a new state-of-the-art, high-speed silicone coating line, as well as upgrades to existing silicone coating lines and the poly-coating extrusion line that will enhance the facility’s ability to deliver new-generation products for Loparex’ broadening customer base.

Theo Wilting, Managing Director of Loparex Europe, comments "Today’s converting and end-use markets are demanding higher levels of performance, versatility, and efficiencies from release liners, and we want to continue to support our customers with the advanced products they need.   Every segment – whether it is pressure-sensitive graphic arts, specialty tapes, or medical disposables – has its own particular requirements, and new markets outside the traditional pressure-sensitive applications are developing fast.  The expanded European facility will increase Loparex’ ability to provide the industry’s most versatile portfolio of release liners and films, along with product development and technical service to serve our European and global customer base."

He concludes, "We will be positioned to become a true one-stop shop for our customers – and more than ready to meet the needs of the growing global market."

Investing around the globe

This is the fourth major investment in capacity expansion undertaken by the Loparex Group in recent years.   The Kaygee-Loparex joint venture in India installed a new silicone coating line and slitters in 2009.  The Group’s capacity at its Guangzhou, China, facility was increased with a new silicone coating line in early 2011.  In the third quarter of 2011,  Loparex announced a new-build state-of-the-art production plant in Thailand, which will be fully operational by the end of 2012.

For more information, please visit www.loparex.com

Ahlstrom, a global high performance materials company, announced today it will launch Silco Flat Premium, a new release paper for premium pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) graphics, on stand F22 at Fespa 2012.

Large format PSA graphics are used to apply eye-catching decoration or advertising to large surfaces in architecture, retail, vehicles or exhibitions. Those graphic laminates require specially designed release liners for a well performing lamination process, a precise printing and an outstanding visual effect of the applied film.

As a leading global release papers supplier, Ahlstrom offers a specific range of products for PSA graphic laminates, which is today expanded with the introduction of Ahlstrom Silco Flat Premium, designed for the most demanding PSA graphic applications. This new two-side clay coated release paper has been developed for lamination with the most sensitive adhesive graphics materials, such as thin transparent films or cast vinyls.

Its effective back side moisture barrier ensures excellent dimensional stability and lay-flat for an impeccable print of the vinyl. The increased smoothness on both sides of the paper avoids orange peel effect and enhances the glossiness of vinyl films. As no pattern is transferred to the adhesive layer, also the level of clarity of the transparent films remains high.

“With this new release paper, PSA manufacturers will be able to satisfy the most demanding applications, while printers and end-users will enjoy superior lay-flat and highly attractive graphics. Exhibiting at Fespa digital 2012, an event entirely dedicated to wide format digital printing, is an ideal opportunity to introduce Ahlstrom Silco™ Flat Premium. We also look forward to tackling the coming new challenges of the fast changing digital printing world for continuous improvement,” says Marco Martinez, Product Manager, Release & Label.

Ahlstrom is a global leading producer of release papers, counting on the widest product range on the market, for any PSA application. Its release papers are manufactured in Europe and South America and are part of the offering of Ahlstrom’s Label and Processing business area.

For more information, please visit www.ahlstrom.com

Sensient Imaging Technologies S.A. will be presenting a variety of new ink solutions and services at FESPA in Hall 3, Stand N30.  Information on Sensient’s activities at the show can be accessed online at www.elvajet.com. Highlights will be available initially and updated reports will be accessible after the show.

A complete set of high-value solutions for industrial digital printing

With the ElvaJet family of products and its value-enhancing approach to industrial digital printing, Sensient Imaging Technologies S.A. offers inks with proven and enhanced performance in industrial digital printing:

• Visual Excellence - vivid colours, high definition
• Increased Productivity - printing speed as never seen before
• Total Reliability – where you need it, when you need it
• Eco Sustainability – the true water borne solution

New specific ink sets allow for turnkey solutions in industrial digital printing

Three years after its launch, ElvaJet SE 100 has become the proven reference in sublimation inks for all industrial printing applications.  Now Sensient takes the next step in the digital revolution, launching:

• ElvaJet SY170, the sublimation ink for Kyocera print heads, approved by MS s.r.l for its JP-6 and JP-K models.
• ElvaJet DE 200, the new sublimation ink specifically developed for direct printing.
• ElvaJet TS-E 600 a new set of CMYK and white inks offering outstanding printability to the world of DTG.

In collaboration with Reggiani Macchine, Sensient is also launching ElvaJet ReNOIR Subli, the original ink developed for the ReNOIR and ReNOIR compact models.

New online services

Together with the new ElvaJet high-value approach, the company is announcing an update of the ElvaJet brand and the launch of focused on-line services under www.elvajet.com.

Sensient Imaging Technologies S.A. will be presenting the new era in digital printing at Hall 3, Stand N30, during FESPA.  More information will be available at www.elvajet.com/news starting February 21st.

INX Digital International has signed a new partner for the alternative market in North America.  Giant Media, LLC is one the largest authorised Mutoh dealers in the U.S. and Canada for the wide format industry and will now sell INX Digital’s alternative line of products, including TRIANGLE EDX inks.

Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Giant Media is well known for its customer service, quality product lines and reasonable prices.  Since 2004, the wholesale digital printing and equipment company has provided equipment, supplies, software and consumables to the sign and graphics industry.  As part of its commitment to the industry, Giant Media is in the process of securing an additional distribution facility in the Midwest to offer even faster service to customers.

Ken Kisner, President of INX Digital International, said that joint promotions of EDX inks to certain markets will begin this month.  "We’re excited about partnering with Giant Media because of their market knowledge and access to certain markets,” Kisner says.  “We did some extensive field testing with various inks and systems and the results were very positive.  Brad Bergamo and his people at Giant Media have an excellent reputation and this is a great opportunity to offer and expand our reach in the market.”

INX Digital introduced the environmentally conscious EDX inks in 2010.  Ideal for the wide format market, new colour profiles are not necessary to obtain compatible output when using EDX inks.  EDX is a fast drying ink with low odour and is designed for Mutoh, as well as Roland and Mimaki, printers with Epson DX4 and DX5 print head technology.

Bergamo believes his customers will like the cost savings aspect EDX presents.  “In today’s market, everyone is looking for cost savings but not at the cost of sacrificing quality or risking equipment failure with non-OEM inks,” Bergamo says.  “With EDX, you get the highest quality ink on top of significant cost savings.  These Triangle-brand cartridges are chemically compatible with the OEM ink sets.”

For more information about Giant Media, please visit www.giantmedia.us

For more information on INX Digital, please visit www.inxdigital.com

After 2 years of planning, sourcing and product development, Pyramid is launching a full range of banner substrates - Simply Banner - which covers all the major applications and a few new ones.

A new brochure is available that aims to take the mystery out of banner media and simplify the material selection process. Within the brochure is not only a sample of each grade but also a detailed explanation of how banner is made up with details on denier, weave and yarn tenacity, along with explanations of final applications for each grade.

Dennis Morgan, Pyramid’s Managing Director explains the thinking behind the range. “In putting together our Simply Banner collection, we have sourced a range of the most popular tried and tested specifications and grades available, so you can use them with confidence to produce the highest quality graphics and banner applications at a competitive price. We have also added a number of new grades which have ultra smooth finishes, which when printed hold excellent fine detail especially when viewed at close quarters. A great example of this is Simply Lightbox which is a backlit film with no scrim or weave in its make up making it ideal for backlit applications as there is no scrim show through.”

Pyramid is also widening its banner portfolio by now stocking and distributing both 3.2 and 5 metre products - opening up a new market segment for super wide machines.

Neil McCarthy, Head of Sales and Marketing confirms the thinking behind broadening the Simply Banner portfolio. “We have invested in new storage, handling equipment and logistics to be able to stock and distribute these super wide rolls but it just makes sense to be able to offer our customers materials for their super wide printers. The new Simply Banner range perfectly complements our digital offering to the market sitting alongside our ranges of MACtac, Foamalite, Correx, Akyprint and POLYLINEPro products”

[photo shows stock of Simply Banner substrates]