Ink Performance Properties of UV, Conventional and Hybrid Sheetfed Inks

In an attempt to bridge the technological gap between conventional and 100% UV inks for lithography, hybrid inks have been introduced onto the market during the last couple of years. In this paper, commercially available UV, conventional and hybrid sheetfed inks are compared in terms of formulation and performance. Ink properties like pigment wetting, rheology, tack, misting, ink water balance and cure speed were examined in laboratory ink tests. Clear differences in ink water behaviour, cure speed and resistance were observed. The results give a good insight into the advantages and disadvantages of each technology.