Bratislava
02/2020

For Internal Use Only

HELLO
FROM
IPES
BRATISLAVA

Dear colleagues,
Thanks for the huge positive reactions regarding our first IPES Newsletter.

Fortunately, European travel restrictions are gradually easing and therefore we can welcome the first post-quarantine IPES visitors already in June. It will be a very specific demo for Croatia, because the plastics will be printed and embellished. Let us introduce you to the most relevant info regarding this uniqueness.

HOT NEWS DIGITAL PRINT ON
PLASTIC SUBSTRATES

Did you know that in addition to printing and finishing all types of paper (including uncoated), the KM-1 is able to print also on plastics? As such, the Digital printing reaches other interesting markets - e.g. loyalty cards, gift cards, luxury packaging, identification cards. Of course, there is the possibility of additional embellishment on JetVarnish 3D EVO. Take a look at the useful info and tips from Peter Studený, DIS operator of our showroom, what we can provide for you under one roof regarding plastics.

Are your clients considering printing on plastics or are they already printing on them by offset technology?

Just send us a sample of these plastics and we will be happy to show you what digital printing can do! The contactless UV technology of KM-1 ensures a great adhesion of ink on many substrates. However, in some cases, an initial surface treatment of the substrate is required, e.g. for polyethylenes and polypropylenes (PE, PP and PET), but it is required also by any other printing technology.

HOW IT WORKS? OPTION A
  • Printing of design on KM-1 without surface treatment.
  • 2 types of ink adhesion test on substrate:
    • tesa test - to stick and to tear off a special tape at 90°angle,
    • scratch test - physical scratching with special knives.
  • If the tests are OK, the next step is printing on KM-1.

This is the fastest and easiest production way for the customer.

OPTION B

If the tests in Option A don't meet the standards, then the substrate surface treatment needs to be changed. We are able to arrange these steps directly in IPES, thanks to the Harris & Bruno device in combination with additional units:

  • Level 1: curing with corona unit → KM-1 print → tesa test + scratch test.
  • Level 2 (if Level 1 isn't satisfying): coating with primer varnish → KM-1 print → tesa test + scratch test.
  • Level 3 (if Level 2 isn't satisfying): coating with primer varnish + corona unit → KM-1 print → tesa test + scratch test.

This is the maximum treatment that was always sufficient during testing.

Digital printable plastics:
  • PVC / Polyvinyl chloride
  • PP / Polypropylene
  • PS / Polystyrol
  • PET-G / Polyethylene therephthalate
  • PC / Polycarbonate
Substrate formats:
  • most common: 700 x 500 mm (B2),
  • minimum: 393 x 545 mm,
  • maximum: 750 x 585 mm,
  • optimum thickness: 80 – 500 μm,
  • possibility of simplex and duplex printing.
Watch out for:
  • thin or very flexible materials, may cause problems with feeding and transport
    through the machine (in any printing technology),
  • high glossy materials, may cause problems with so called „glass surface effect“– two very
    sleek and glossy surfaces are sticking together like magnet, because there is no space
    for air (in any printing technology).
WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY DONE
FOR NOCs:

Client from Germany
testing design
PVC, PP, PS, PET-G

Client from Italy
playing cards for casino
PVC

Client from Poland
box for bottle of water
PP

Take the advantage of the digital technology even for printing plastics: many orders in small quantities at a lower price!

KM-1 VS. HP INDIGO QUICK COMPARISON

KM1

  • Is an ink-jet press, where ink is directly jetted to substrate.
  • Uses UV cured ink that stays on top of substrate.
     
  • Ink is very much abrasion resistant.
  • Applies ink in 1 pass per side.
  • Uses dense ink, layer thickness can be influenced by profile used.
  • Needs priming only with some plastic substrates.
  • Has one of widest CMYK gamut on the market. It covers hi % of pantone space.
  • Has hi-capacity pallet feeder and stacker. Flexibility can, for some customers, be achieved by bundle with a production toner device.
  • Prints at constant speed of 3000 sheets/hr (4/0).
     
  • Has a big triumph in color consistency and repeatability.
  • Has low sensitivity for scratching and peeling.
  • Maximum format B2++, 585x750 (printable area of 575x735 - 5 A4).
  • Paper thickness accepted from 0.06 up to 0.6 mm in simplex mode and 0.45 mm in duplex.

HP INDIGO

  • Is an offset-press, where ink goes through multiple rollers and cylinders, before it touches substrate.
  • Uses polymer based ink that stays on top of the substrate. Mineral oil is used as ink carrier.
  • Is easily scratched even in finishing process.
  • Applies ink in 1 rotation per color.
  • Uses ink that can be partially translucent. Lack of density can be compensated by multiple hits.
  • Needs priming with most plastics and some paper substrates.
  • Can print up to 7 colors, including white and direct color.
  • Has multiple input drawers. Substrates can be switched during one job.
     
  • Prints between 4600 and 1150 sheets/hr (4/0) Depending on No. of colors, substrate, double hits.
  • Needs frequent calibrations and consumables replacements to achieve the same level as KM-1.
  • Has high sensitivity for scratching and peeling.
  • Maximum format is B2+, 530x750 (printable 510x740 - 4 up).
  • Paper thickness accepted from 0.07 to 0.45 mm (Indigo 12000).

Both presses are built to last, with robustness similar to offset press.

SUPPORT
YOUR SALES
TEAM!

Right now you have a great opportunity to order stock of demo prints on AccurioJet KM-1 and MGI JetVarnish 3D EVO and ink estimation reports for your NOC. Be ready for the upcoming return to normal working life - fortune favours the bold!

How to proceed?
Very simply: contact your BDM or DIS operator.


Here you will find simple step-by-step instructions. At the same time, you can find a complete package of products ready for printing on KM-1 in AccurioPro Flux.

Simple instructions >
AccurioPro Flux >

WE ARE OPEN FULL TIME 5 DAYS A WEEK!

ANY QUESTION,
DEMAND OR INTEREST?

Feel free to contact us!

Stefan Pelo, IPES Manager
stefan.pelo@konicaminolta.eu
+421 917 995 599

Give us a feedback >