Digital Output - April 2008 - (Page 19)

“HP’s intent is to be the leader in digital graphic arts.” —Stephen Nigro, senior VP, graphics and imaging business, Hewlett-Packard Horizon are catering to the demand. Christopher Howard, senior VP, sales & marketing, Durst Image Technology US, LLC, believes going “green” is increasingly becoming a requirement, “as the momentum grows to utilize eco-friendly imaging processes.” At Hewlett-Packard’s (HP) pre-drupa event held March 10 to 12 in Tel Aviv, Israel, HP announced its revolutionary latex inks, which are pigment and water-based. These aqueous-dispersed, polymer technology inks—according to HP—provide print durability comparable to solvent inks. At the event, HP’s Stephen Nigro, senior VP, graphics and imaging business, reinforced that “HP’s intent is to be the leader in digital graphic arts.” The “Why” Factor k The U.S. recognizes the importance of environmental preservation and is becoming more involved. Linda Carlisle, director of marketing, Sawgrass Technologies, Inc. explains, “We anticipate consumer demand, government regulations, and printing industry self-policing constraints to dramatically increase in the near future.” “Environmental regulatory bodies worldwide will soon implement stringent VOC guidelines for print shops to protect the environment and the ozone layer. In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have already been cracking down on polluters and excessive VOC emitters,” echoes Tom Reilly, VP marketing, Gandinnovations. Gandinnovations recently launched two versions of its Premium UV-curable inks. Created for the Jeti UV True Flatbed printers and Jeti UV roll-to-roll devices. These inks are 100 percent solvent-free, with no VOC emissions. The inks are guaranteed for stock or rigid substrate and are suitable for outdoor applications such as billboards and vehicle wraps. “The use of UV inks is a breakthrough that provides environmentally conscious companies the ability to match eco-friendly inks with ‘green’ fabric and graphics purge the ink once, and there is no need for a special disposal mechanism. Also, if you print and require the ink to dry faster, you do not need to worry about the media becoming ruined from extra heat and air blowers like in alternative print techniques.” Matan manufactures UV inks for its Barak superwide format printer line. Its 200 UV and 300 UV inks print on a variety of media—PVC, banner, mesh, glass, wood, and more. One benefit of UV inks is the minimal interruption between the ink and media, allowing for the wider media gamut. As VOC rules become more stringent, sign shops may face their own legal issues. Health scares involving the byproducts of inks in the workplace could force employees to demand a healthier work environment. “Solvent inks often contain dangerous contents such as MEK, cyclohexanone, or isopropanone,” explains Esmeralda Desart, VP sales and marketing, FILLINK. The byproducts of solvent inks are a hazard, especially over long periods of time. Another “green” alternative to solvent ink is aqueous ink, which companies such as Sawgrass Technologies manufacture. The “fume free nature of water-based ink provides a safer work environment for production employees,” shares Carlisle. “Customers can help do their part by purchasing and using the most environmentally friendly inks that meet their needs.” —Brad Kisner, president, and Ken Kisner, senior VP/CTO, Triangle Digital INX Co. substrates for printing dynamic applications that enhance our world while protecting our environment,” says Richard Codos, executive director, North American development, Leggett & Platt Technologies (L&P). Hanan Yosefi, president/CEO, Matan Digital Printers, outlines the benefits of UV inks. “With UV inks, there is no waste, you can print all day without having to Sawgrass’ SubiM sublimation inks, designed specifically for wide format printing, were developed in Europe—where VOC standards are currently higher than in the U.S. Despite being aqueous, which may send up a warning flag for some printers, these are durable inks. Says Carlisle, “SubiM scored extremely well in ISO ratings in regards to light fastness, washfastness, and alkaline fastness.” “Customers can help do their part by purchasing and using the most environmentally friendly inks that meet their needs,” explains Brad Kisner, president, and Ken Kisner, senior VP/CTO, Triangle Digital INX Co. Consumers are major proponents for environmental initiatives, pushing state and federal governments to take action. In Europe, government regulations have been in place for awhile. For example, Durst, a European based company, worked with the European environment council as far back as 1999 to ensure its inks, like the Flexible Ink Set—a UV ink—were VOC-free in accordance with European standards. www.digitaloutput.net Building wrap by Yahav, based in Israel, with a Matan Barak 5-meter printer, using Matan’s UV inks. April 2008 Digital Output 19 http://www.digitaloutput.net http://www.digitaloutput.net

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Digital Output - April 2008

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