Added-value Solutions with Waterless Offset to be Showcased by Toray at drupa
Since there is no ink/water balance to control, make ready times and waste are minimized making it possible to print more jobs per day. The benefits are particularly effective when using UV curing printing inks, which in conventional offset printing may become unstable in combination with water.
As print jobs get smaller and product diversification requires more expensive substrates, the reduced waste made possible by the waterless process presents a significant economic and environmental argument. Owing to the uniqueness of waterless printing, i.e. the combination of higher quality and the proof of sustainability, printing firms can provide added value.
New markets opened up
Waterless offset printing is particularly successful in applications where conventional offset printing is pushed to its limits with regard to spoilage rate, printability and quality such as premium packaging, plastic cards, advertising posters, self adhesive labels, 3D and lenticular applications, CD/DVD, wood laminates, metal decor as well as commercial print runs including brochures, magazine titles and flyers.
Conversion to waterless printing is possible on all standard offset presses and simpler than many people think. There are only a few key requirements: the printer must have temperature control for the inking units on press, a special developing machine for waterless plates and use waterless printing inks, which are available from several suppliers.
Ishii concludes, “If these requirements are met, all options are open to the waterless offset printer wanting to add value to their services.”
About Toray
Toray Industries Inc., the leading manufacturer of waterless printing plates was formed in 1926. With factories and sales branches in Asia, Europe and North America the company is globally represented. The main businesses of Toray are synthetic fibres, carbon fibres, plastics, foils and chemicals. Numerous products are developed on the basis of its proprietary polymer technology and are used in the electronics, packaging, textile, automotive and aircraft industries. Recent annual sales exceeded $18 billion.