Inkjetting for mailing on Varnished stock? What type of ink?

[bgardner]

We have a W-InkJet mailing system by Kirk-Rudy. It does have a heat lamp drying system that the pieces run under.

The only thing we have yet to accomplish is how to inkjet on top of a gloss varnish. We know other mail houses are doing it, but we have not been able to find an ink that can do so.

Anyone have any ideas?

[hondarr9]

I looked in to "Bear Ink" from Collins Ink, but our printer does not have the ability to change head firing voltage and temp that is required to make it work. Apparently there is a steep learning curve to successfully use this ink.

[jonprintz]

There are many types of varnishes & coatings available to use on such pieces as you wish to inkjet on top of. You will likely not be successful printing on top of most UV cured coatings. Varnish should be able to be printed on in most cases whether it is a UV cured product or conventional. Aqueous coatings should be able to be printed on in most cases.

There are a couple of ways to be successful:

1. Have the area to be ink jet printed knocked out of the coating / varnish - this is not always an option depending on the equipment used to produce the piece.

2. Work with the print department to trial several different varnishes / coatings in order to determine which ones work best with your ink jet equipment. Every supplier has options, a few minutes spent on the phone with their technical department should end with a recommendation for a product that you can be successful with.

[neleson]

Hi,


There are so many types of varnish and you can use according to your purpose. Here are some types:

Shellac Varnish- Shellac varnish is an alcohol-based varnish recognized for its effectiveness as a wall sealant or initial primer for other finishes. You may also use it as a finishing coat for wood projects. It's frequently applied as an undercoating due to its fast drying time and its ability to block both stains and odors.

Rubbing or Wiping Varnish- You apply a rubbing varnish with traditional means, then dull it by rubbing it with a fine-grit sandpaper or pumice stone. The effect is a flat, dulled finish. This finish is more appropriate for wall panels where a high-gloss finish would diminish the luster of the wood.

Flat Varnish- If you are looking for a non-gloss finish but want to avoid the effort of a rubbing varnish, flat-finish varnishes are available. This type of varnish is often more costly than other types because it requires special preparation and additives to prevent the glossing effect as the varnish dries.


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hp toner q2612a

[kansasquaker]

We inkjet on different varnishes and AQ coatings all the time. If memory serves, your Kirk Rudy has an hp 45 print head. If that's true, try FlexPrint Aqueous from Think Ink - HP Inkjet Inks For Industrial and Mailing. It's a bit more expensive, but we've never had a problem with it.

[D Ink Man]

The key is a wax free, high solids overprint varnish. These products are available in various finishes; gloss, satin, matte and in betweens. They are specifically formulated without the blooming type of waxes (microcrystalline is a definite no-no) that interefere with successful application of ink jetting. One or two trials in co-ordination with your ink/varnish supplier will achieve your goal; non-crawling with adequate adhesion. I can recommend some specific products if deemed helpful. Their nomenclature actually contains the description "ink jettable". Best regards. D