Opportunities for water-based inkjet digital press manufacturers and owners

Michelman, a global manufacturer of digital printing-press primers used in commercially printed material, as well as labels and packaging, will introduce drupa 2016 visitors to a new primer technology for use with high-speed water-based inkjet printing presses.

According to Mr Jan Denies, Industry Manager for Michelman’s Printing & Packaging Group, "Effectively printing on paper and synthetic substrates with sufficient quality and speed has been a challenge for water-based inkjet press manufacturers. Enabling adhesion and absorption of ink to the substrates has traditionally required applying primers at high coating weights. This however, negatively affects the look and feel of the substrate, and increases material costs. We have recently demonstrated a much more effective alternative. In collaboration with a number of inkjet press manufacturers, we have developed and tested an experimental primer, applied at coat weights less than a gram per square metre, that enhances adhesion of print receptive coatings to synthetic substrates. This allows full colour printing on presses running at 200 meters per minute (650 ft/min), while using standard synthetic substrates. This technology can also be used as a print receptive coating for monochrome personalisation using water-based inkjet inks.”

Michelman will exhibit in hall A, booth #A24 at drupa 2016, which is being held May 31-June 10, 2016 in Düsseldorf, Germany. A number of inkjet printer manufacturers will be demonstrating Michelman solutions at the show, highlighting samples including flexible packaging, printed using water-based inkjet presses with various synthetic and polymer film substrates.