UV Technology Continues to Push Boundaries

Constant Innovation

Thinner, more unusual media and unique applications of varnish and ink might be the trends driving UV wide-format today, but there is still plenty of room for technological advancements.

Bill Brouhle, inkjet demonstration manager for Agfa, sees inks as the next logical source of innovation. He notes that the presses are already pushing the limits, so it stands to reason that the inks will be the next phase of development focus.

“I think you’ll end up seeing inks taking the next leap forward,” he notes. “Especially around the flexibility of the ink, or the durability of the ink. I think they’ll make some breakthroughs that will bring new applications and the potential for new materials.”

One of the markets that will likely benefit from increased flexibility and durability in UV inks is the packaging industry. According to the SGIA-sponsored research “Convergence in the Print Industry: Understanding Growth Opportunities and Competition,” printers in nearly every segment of the industry are taking a hard look at packaging as a strong growth area. Flexible and corrugated packaging, in particular, are both segments that many wide-format printers could segue into — and as the UV inks continue to improve, they provide an entry into that potentially lucrative market.

“We have a growing influx of corrugated packaging work produced with LED on our new Nozomi digital press platform,” says Ken Hanulec, EFI’s vice president, marketing, Inkjet Solutions. “That has been a tremendous success, with installations occurring or in the works for many of the world’s leading corrugated packaging providers.”

The software driving UV technology is another area to watch. The controllers are getting more sophisticated, allowing operators to produce more precise images hundreds of times without a single variation. But more importantly, they can also produce hundreds of one-off, personalized images at high speeds and quality.

Jay Roberts, product manager, UV printers for Roland DGA Corp., sees the future of software taking that one step further. “We do see an impact of some software coming down the pipeline,” he notes. “We have a retail-like or event software product that allows customers to upload and design their own custom product on the fly. That is something that will extend the personalization market.”

As an example, he notes that an event could have a kiosk, where attendees can upload their own artwork, photographs or designs. That information is sent to the printer, who is creating 10 or 20 up running the press at full speed, but creating very personal products that are then mailed or delivered to the end-user directly.

It could be a lucrative service to offer at a large event, allowing people to choose from several templates, personalize them, give their billing information and then have the product arrive at their doorstep. It could be offered as a special service by a brand promoting a retail location, for example, or by a festival sponsor looking to increase its connection with visitors. The end result is that with software innovations, UV presses become a powerful tool to help brands and consumers connect.