Landa challenges hot foil

Along with its new range of Nanographic presses, Landa demonstrated at drupa a new metallization process called Nano-Metallography. An L50 Nano-Metallography module was shown in action on an Omet XFlex X6 press on the Landa stand, demonstrating its compatibility with the full spectrum of conventional label printing processes, including narrow web flexo and screen.

‘Current metallization processes are prohibitively expensive due to the high cost of foil and tremendous waste,’ said Benny Landa, chairman of the Landa Group. ‘Our Nano-Metallography technology will enable metallization at less than half the cost of foil, with zero waste – and it is microwave compatible.’

Nano-Metallization involves the application of a monolayer of Landa ‘NanoFlake’ metal onto a substrate.

The process is similar in concept to cold foil. Firstly, a conventional flexo sleeve is used to print a ‘trigger’ image where metallization is required. When the substrate makes contact with the NanoFlake donor roller, the printed area attracts the metal and peels it off, with the metal adhering to where the flexo image was applied.

The donor roll is replenished with NanoFlake metal only in the areas of previous transfer, so there is no waste. Nano-Metallization takes place at the maximum running speed of the press, and exactly replicates the topography of the printed trigger image. This means, for example, that an embossed metallized effect can be achieved using a Screen unit to lay down a thick layer of trigger image.