Heidelberg Saphira Inks?

[prepressdork]

Hi everyone,

Is anyone using Heidelberg Saphira inks on their sheetfed press? How well do they work? Any issues?

Best regards,
pd

 

[SheetSqueezer]

UV or Conventional? FWIW, Saphira is Heidelberg’s consumables label and they don’t actually make the ink, they just put their name on it.

 

[prepressdork]

In my case, all conventional. Any idea who actually makes their ink?

 

[Asures]

Heidelberg (Saphira Brand Inks) has changed suppliers over the years.

At one point, it was Superior, then became INX, then importing from Asia.

Why would you consider buying ink from a reseller that has no manufacturing control over a critical part of your process?

 

[SheetSqueezer]

,,,then importing from Asia.

Interesting. Some of the best inks I’ve ever used have been made in Asia. I believe it might have something to do with either quality control or manufacturing constraints.

Do you happen to know the brand they’re currently labeling, or at least the County of manufacture?

 

[Asures]

Interesting. Some of the best inks I’ve ever used have been made in Asia. I believe it might have something to do with either quality control or manufacturing constraints.

Do you happen to know the brand they’re currently labeling, or at least the County of manufacture?

It may vary from country to county. Heidelberg USA might import and private label from their select group of suppliers while Heidelberg Mexico might sell others based on country location as an example.

Last I was aware, Heidelberg USA was reselling with KMI Ink (Kwang Myung Ink). That may have changed due to tariffs in import duties in the states.
I’m not sure how accurate this information is these days since my contacts are no longer there.

 

[saso777]

Heidelberg is reselling Saphira and the quality is not so good. We have been using offset printing inks from so many different producers,at the moment we stay with Toyo (they changed their name and are a part of Artience Group in 2024).But the best inks that we have been used so far are Kingswood Inks from China without any doubt.

 

[SteveSuffRIT]

I've seen the very same ink brand on the same press type but at different print companies print differently!
It depends on so many multiple factors, such as temperature, fountain solution, rollers, plates, blankets, paper, operator.
The selection of a raw material or consumable must be done inhouse using all of your conditions with R&D trails, testis, experiments.

 

[joannatianli]

One thing often overlooked with Saphira inks is the compatibility with the dampening solution. They perform best when the pH levels are strictly maintained between 4.8 and 5.2. We’ve seen cases where poor ink-water balance led to slight piling on the blankets. Are you planning to run them with a specific fountain solution or alcohol-substitute?

 

[rickix84]

We are using “SAPHIRA INK OXY DRY 110” (oxydative ink) on a perfecting press with excellent results (printability, drying, abrasion resistance ecc...). As far as I know, the ink is manufactured by Flint.

 

[Asures]

We are using “SAPHIRA INK OXY DRY 110” (oxydative ink) on a perfecting press with excellent results (printability, drying, abrasion resistance ecc...). As far as I know, the ink is manufactured by Flint.

Again, it is a private label product so one doesn’t really accurately know what they’re purchasing.

Heidelberg strengths are equipment. The Consumables are just an additional revenue stream.

 

[rickix84]

Again, it is a private label product so one doesn’t really accurately know what they’re purchasing.

Heidelberg strengths are equipment. The Consumables are just an additional revenue stream.

As I know now an half of Heidelberg revenue comes from consumables

 

[Asures]

As I know now an half of Heidelberg revenue comes from consumables

Heidelberg USA? Heidelberg Europe (I saw you're not in N. America)? Heidelberg MX?

That information may be accurate in your market but may vary in others.