investigating Hybrid UV

[roger]

Hi all,

I apologize if this topic has been discussed previously, but due to a deficiency in this bulletin board software, it won't find 2 letter words like 'UV'.

So, can anyone go over the pros and cons of hybrid UV vs. conventional printing vs. regular UV.

many thanks,
Roger

[kinni88]

Are you looking at adding inkjet UV capabilities into your present print technologies and capabilities. If so, people migrate toward this technology for several reasons;
- Variable capability for analog presses -- flexo, offset sheet, or web offset. It allows them the capability of customizing with graphic images, spot color, bar codes, or numerical sequences.
- They also look at graphic or manufacturing problem solving -- durability of an image, inventory managment, re-prints or printing on difficult substrates.
If you are used to printing at over 300 fpm, in-line forget about it; you would have to look an offline sytem.
As for color matching of offset. You can come close but it will not match the quality. You can run up to six colors with an inkjet system. But remember it is inkjet and it does not impress an image on the substrate. It will come close to matching flexo images.
Ther are two basic ways to configure inkjet/hybrid systesm. first, you can place a four color systems over a moving web and register from a encoder. Second, you can look at a system that is placed over a sheet/conveyor system -- more a of a digital sheetfed system.
Whatever you look at -- do not invest in a system because it is a buzzword or trend. Do your homework and look at how the system saves you money or offers a competitive advanatge.
There are a few companies that are on the leading edge of this technology in the U.S. Reply back if you would like more details.

[George John]

Regular UV ink: Need curing lamps on all units, Hybrid, perhaps every other unit and a top UV coat. With Hybrid ink, one can go back and forth with conventioanl inks. The hybrid inks are supposed to be milder on the rollers and easier wash up.