Flint Group launches shrink sleeve whites

Flint Group has expanded its UV LED dual-curing flexo ink range with EkoCure XS white inks engineered for shrink sleeve applications across North America.

The new formulations deliver a smooth white base that maintains adhesion without flaking or cracking, even in high-shrink or high-stress areas of the sleeve. Dual-curing technology allows converters to run the inks on both UV and UV LED curing presses, while the company recommends total ink film thickness of graphic print does not exceed 15 bcm.

'With our EkoCure XS shrink whites, we're removing uncertainty from the most challenging part of shrink sleeve production,' said Rob Stendahl, R&D technology manager for North America at Flint Group. 'High-shrink, high-stress areas routinely risk exposing whites to cracking and flaking that can ruin print quality and damage a design's shelf appeal. This new formulation is designed to resist these challenges and deliver a glossy, durable finish that keeps branded graphics looking their best.'

The inks also offer time and waste savings by eliminating the need to strip ink during tape or crinkle testing. As a best practice, Flint Group recommends using both the first and second down UV shrink white layers to achieve optimal shrink character, opacity and coefficient of friction characteristics.

Stendahl added that the product enables longer high-speed runs with consistent adhesion and fewer print defects, integrating with Flint Group's existing toolbox inks. 'These new EkoCure XS shrink whites represent our latest step in delivering practical, high-performance inks that work in real production environments,' he noted.

EkoCure XS shrink whites are available to customers across North America.