Consumables-Ink - Conventional Offset

It’s easy to take for granted that in any type of printing, ink will meet the substrate as it passes through the press and a printed product will come out on the other side. But, what often gets overlooked is the path the ink takes on its journey to and through the press and eventually, onto its intended surface. Ink systems, whether pumps, dispensers, tanks or formulations, are crucial elements that play a major role in print quality, efficiency, color accuracy and plant and product safety.

The Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) held its Folding Carton Boot Camp on May 23-24, educating a group of industry newcomers on the entire folding carton converting process. An introduction to inks was part of the program.

hubergroup, USA, Inc. and Alden & Ott Printing Inks Co. have announced that hubergroup has acquired substantially all of the assets of Alden & Ott in a private deal. Alden & Ott is a comprehensive ink manufacturer developing custom solutions for both the offset and flexo printing markets in the Midwest and Northeast.

Low migration ink continues to improve across packaging segments and printing methods.

INX International, which completed a $4 million expansion at its Charlotte, N.C. facility last year, has completed the finishing touches connected to the project. Production in the Charlotte facility impacts four continents — North America, South America, Asia and Europe.

Mondo teamed up with Phantom City Creative on the packaging for its vinyl reissue of the soundtrack to the 1984 cult classic, "Gremlins." Photochromic UV and hydrochromic UV inks were used to bring the packaging to life with scenes from the movie.

Expanded gamut printing has offered package printers and converters efficiency improvements and strong graphic quality. Gamse Lithographic Co., is one example of a label converter that has benefitted from expanded gamut.

Founded in 1866, Zeller+Gmelin will host a three-day celebration in September to mark its 150th anniversary. The event will be held in Eislingen, Germany, and will feature entertainment, family-friendly events and an open house.

Agfa Graphics and GFI Innovations have entered into a preferred dealer agreement in which Agfa will represent and place GFI’s dispensers for offset and flexographic inks with its customers in North America.

Two converters, Albéa and Thoro Packaging, have saved a significant amount of money through the Sun Chemical Dispenser Program, a system that provides in-house ink dispensing and gives printers the ability to mix the exact amount of ink that they need when they need it. Package printers that participate in the program must agree to purchase a minimum annual amount of Sun Chemical bases and inks and in return receive a GFI Mx12 dispenser that provides spot color accuracy to within 0.001/lb.