Pulse launches UV screen and water-based flexo systems

PureScreen consists of blending the PureScreen transparent and/or opaque white reducing medium with the company’s high strength, mono-pigmented PureTone inks. This creates a UV screen ink system for optimal print quality and color consistency between screen and flexo, and generates significant cost-savings for the label printer due the substantial reduction in the number of mixing bases required, it is claimed.

Gary Seward, Pulse Roll Label Products managing director, said: ‘This is a truly unique solution for UV flexo and screen printers. The new PureScreen high strength UV screen ink system uses the same mono-pigmented ink technology as our successful flagship UV flexo ink system, PureTone. With just the addition of our specially formulated screen reducing mediums, customers can accurately match the same colors also printed flexo. This solution offers color control and consistency when matching colors printed using the two different technologies. Label printers would traditionally require at least 30 base colors to achieve the same end result so the reduced number of mixing bases required provides significant cost-savings in terms of ink inventory reduction.’

PureScreen inks can be printed using either rotary or flatbed screen. To provide a complete UV screen option for label printers, the new PureScreen range includes the company’s existing silicone free opaque white ink, a UV screen matte and high gloss varnish, plus the company’s best-selling Braille varnish and high build embossing varnish. The PureScreen UV screen reducing medium is formulated to contain raw materials that are food packaging compliant. When blended with PureTone FPC UV flexo inks, a complete food packaging compliant UV screen option is possible, according to the company.

A PureScreen color matching database, again using X-Rite’s InkFormulation software, has also been created to offer all the advantages of PureTone in terms of digital color management for accurate formulations and easy color matching. When combined with pre-press proofing equipment, further cost savings are achieved through reduced downtime and less waste on press. 

Seward continued: ‘Traditionally screen inks have been used for their opacity on dark bottles and to achieve a high quality effect on premium labels. For cost-effectiveness, the back label is often printed on paper substrates using flexography. The challenge for label printers and brand owners is to replicate and match the same colors on the flexo printed back label to the front label printed with opaque UV screen inks. And this is a costly process because of the large number of colours required to achieve a good color match. PureScreen provides a unique solution to address this challenge.’

Designed for narrow web printing of self-adhesive labels and suitable for use on many substrates including coated and uncoated papers, thermal papers and films, the new PureAqua ink system comprises a 4-color process set and mixing bases. The high strength water-based formulations provide optimal print performance, press stability and offer excellent color strength, viscosity and flow.

A PureAqua color matching database, using X-Rite’s InkFormulation software, has been created for the new water-based ink system to provide accurate color matching. Cost savings can also be achieved by using pre-press proofing equipment from RK PrintCoat Instruments to reduce production downtime and minimize waste on press. The company’s existing water-based flexo metallic inks are also included in the new PureAqua product portfolio.

Mikaela Harding, product manager at Pulse Roll Label Products, said: ‘We are excited to launch our new PureAqua water-based ink system and delighted to offer our customers a single system that is suitable for use across multiple substrates. We understand the need for color consistency on a global scale and the value of digital color management as proved with our PureTone UV flexo ink system. Along with our existing water-based varnishes, primer and additives, PureAqua provides a complete water-based flexo solution for narrow web label printers.’

Launched at Labelexpo Europe 2017, both products are part of Pulse's rebranded portfolio, introduced at the show, where it is similarly promoting a new food packaging compliant UV flexo rough texture varnish aimed at the craft beer label market and other specialized print applications. Pulse has also partnered with Edale for the supply of narrow web flexo inks, coatings and varnishes for use on FL presses on display in Edale’s UK showroom.