Now Within Reach: Inkjet Printing on Coated Stocks

The inkjet revolution is occurring on multiple fronts. One wave is bringing inkjet to small and mid-sized print providers by scaling the technology with more compact, lower cost cut-sheet and roll-to-cut-sheet presses. These efforts have focused on supporting uncoated stock applications such as transactional documents or light direct mail.

Right behind that wave are advancements to accommodate high-quality printing on the traditional offset coated stocks used for books, catalogs, magazines, and high-end direct mail.

At Xerox (Booth 1302), we’re breaking down these barriers and making it easier for print providers to print onto offset coated stocks using inkjet technology. Enter Xerox High Fusion Ink.

Inkjet printing on offset coated stocks presents different challenges than printing on uncoated stocks. Uncoated stocks easily absorb ink, whereas coated stocks do not. Inks designed for uncoated stock are formulated for low absorption to sit on top of the page and provide denser coloration. In contrast, coated papers are less porous and require inks with greater adhesion. Additionally, drying is also an issue for coated stocks because the ink sits higher on the surface
of the paper.

High Fusion Ink produces results direct-to-paper with a wide color gamut and visual resolution that make it easy to attain inkjet quality on offset coated media—removing the need for intermediate coating processes or specialty heads. Current inkjet systems that accommodate coated stocks require either the use of expensive paper or additional production modules for treating paper before printing, after printing, or both.

Along with ink formulation and controlling the amount of ink laid on the page, the Trivor 2400 is equipped with dryers that ensure proper curing for image durability. The ink has been designed for initial use on the Trivor 2400.

The Trivor 2400’s media range makes it possible to run higher value applications while maintaining the economics of inkjet production. Adding High Fusion Ink expands the opportunity even further. The inks’ visual impact comes from an interplay between the inks themselves, dot placement, screening algorithms, drop size, and the Trivor 2400’s printing process. And while High Fusion Inks are optimized for commodity offset coated papers, they also run on uncoated media, providing cost-effective redundancy for a versatile set of print jobs.

Xerox is excited about High Fusion Ink and pioneering advancements to help printers capitalize on their inkjet investments. Stop by the Xerox booth to learn more about High Fusion Ink and the Trivor 2400 Inkjet Press.