For signage convertors, the application of liquid coatings to protect digital prints means an extra, labour intensive and messy step in their production process. Sign-Tronic has stepped in to alleviate these production pressures with a specially formulated varnish that is deposited onto printed graphics as part of the printing process.
The varnish complements the company’ range of flexible UV inks and is developed for use with swissQprint machines equipped with nine channels. This system will be demonstrated at the Sign Africa Cape Town expo, taking place from 15-16 March at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. The machine will print with four print heads per colour in CMYK and 14 picolitres (a first in South Africa), including two varnish print heads at 30 picolitres.
The open architecture of the swissQprint machines not only supports upgrades but also allows for it to be programmed to use the spare channels for varnish. Effectively, the varnish is ‘printed’ as a spot colour and cures with the ink in a similar setup to printing a white flood coat. Specially developed software allows for this step to happen without losing any print speed, so users still gain with high density prints at high speeds. The varnish offers improved scratch and chemical resistance, better outdoor durability and cost and time saving because of the elimination of a post-coating system or clear vinyl laminate.
The solution is suitable for car wraps, truck curtains, illuminated signage, vacuum formed signage, metal and petrol station signage as well as floor graphics.
For more information about the expo, and to register online, visit: www.signafricaexpo.com/cape-town/.
