Digital Output - April 2008 - (Page 21)

Harmful byproducts both at the manufacturing and printing stages along with the affect on humans are a major reason why companies use “green” inks. “For PrintVillage, ‘green’ goes beyond the air we breathe or the water we drink, but it includes what can be absorbed in our bodies through skin contact,” shares Michael Labella, US Sublimation brand product manager, PrintVillage. Not only will employers create a healthier environment, when adapting “green” inks, they will also develop a social reputation, according to Nils Miller, Ph.D., ink/media R&D and technical environment strategy, graphics & imaging business, HP, “In implementing ‘green’ inks, the sign shop owner creates an opportunity for promotion as a print service provider concerned with the environment.” From the trend of the concerned sign shop, another is evolving, “‘Green’ printing is moving beyond small do-good companies and activist groups to corporate and government agencies that now have mandates to purchase greener goods and services,” shares Gary Rudnick, product manager, Mutoh America, Inc. Rick Scrimger, VP/GM, Roland Color Products Division, echoes this sentiment, citing the original but they also want image quality, on-time delivery, and the rest. Printers want to ‘go green,’ but they also want to meet operational goals,” explains Howard. Many shops are concerned that “green” inks will not deliver the same quality and performance as solvent inks. To not address this concern, according to Terry Amerine, segment manager, wide format graphics, Fujifilm Sericol, would be impractical. He says, “Many ‘green’ or bio inks have shown that they do not deliver the necessary performance to meet the requirements for many applications. As Fujifilm looks at developing ‘green’ solutions, we are targeting developing inks that are both truly ‘green’ and will meet the requirements for the end applications.” Currently, Fujifilm Sericol manufacturers a wide range of UV-curable inks, for screen, flexographic, and digital printers. “We were the first traditional ink supplier to provide UV-curable digital inks and sell a viable platform on which to use them in 2001. We did this because it offered a ‘green’ solution to our customers and enabled them to improve the efficiency and print quality with this combination. It is a true example of providing The skin suit, race wear, and surfboard were processed using dye sublimation transfer and US Sublimation Digital LFP four-color water-based ink set. modify, FILLINK bio inks are made of corn and are 100 percent recyclable. “Bio inks are durable as they use the same pigments as solvent inks,” shares FILLINK’s Desart. “They might, however, not adhere on a range of special substrates as wide as solvent inks.” “‘Green’ printing is moving beyond small dogood companies and activist groups to corporate and government agencies.” —Gary Rudnick, product manager, Mutoh America, Inc. claim that “green” is driven directly by the consumer. He elaborates, “Consumers are increasingly concerned about how businesses and organizations impact the environment and are motivated to purchase products that they view as ‘green’—at even a higher price tag.” Retailers are asking for environmentally friendly products. Recently, Al Gore’s Live Earth concert and the committee for the Beijing Olympics inquired about “green” signage options. It Isn’t Easy Being Green a practical solution that improves the environmental footprint as well as their bottomline,” adds Amerine. Manufacturers acknowledge the durability issue, believing that you can’t go “green” without sacrifice. FILLINK announced its solvent bio ink line last year. Suitable for grand format solvent printers without any need to “Green” inks are ideal for environmental reasons, but what about the output? “It’s important to remember that this entire discussion is taking place in the context of satisfying the end user’s requirements and running a successful business. Clients want to ‘go green,’ The BIG Green Yahav, based in Israel, opened in 1997 and is considered one of the biggest signage producers in the country—printing an average of 70,000 square meters a month with 13 digital printing machines. 90 percent of their output is considered digital. They use a Matan Barak 5-meter and a HP Turbojet. The majority of their printers still use solvent ink, but they find that UV ink has endless benefits. Zevik Nur, GM, Yahav, says “print speed is faster with UV ink and we can print on a variety of media substrates.” He specifically shares that Tyvek and textiles print extremely well on the Barak 5 using Matan UV ink and originally this combination was problematic on their solvent printers. Recently, Yahav printed a mesh building wrap using their Barak 5 with UV ink. Nur cites that without the UV ink, the print would not have been completed fast enough, thus preventing the order from even occurring. Why? The customer’s main request was for a fast delivery. Circle 4 on FREE Product Info Card www.digitaloutput.net April 2008 Digital Output 21 http://www.clearstarcorp.com http://www.clearstarcorp.com http://www.digitaloutput.net http://www.digitaloutput.net

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Digital Output - April 2008

Digital Output - April 2008

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