New range of primer-based coatings for digital printing from Starna Industries

UV, IR and coating technology specialist Starna Industries Ltd has announced the development and introduction of a number of new products that provide digital printed products with improved aesthetic and functional properties.

Curecoat 1, Curecoat 2, Curecoat 3 and Curecoat XP are environmentally friendly, non-carcinogenic primer coatings that have been developed to enable digital printers and packaging converters obtain superior results with this fast growing mainstream print medium.

Starna Industries says that the transfer of digital images to paper and film is sometimes problematic. In order to obtain good ink transfer to plastic and paper, the material must be treated with a good surface coating. Developed in response to customer demands Curecoat 1 is in most cases an excellent adhesion enhancer. Moreover, Curecoat 1 provides many additional benefits including, improved rub resistance, improved imaging properties and reduced dot grain.

A water-based coating, Curecoat 1 is suitable for use on most papers and plastics; it promotes excellent adhesion of HP Indigo inks and other digital systems and is operator friendly in that it is easy to apply and provides for ease of wash up. Available in a concentrate form Curecoat 1 can be applied via wire wound rods or by flexo, gravure or roll coater.

Curecoat 2 is the same as Curecoat 1, where it differs is that it is supplied press-ready, with no mixing required.

For demanding shrink-wrap processes or applications involving the use of high-slip polymers such as films or foil, then Curecoat 3 is to be recommended. Curecoat 3 also offers the improved rub resistance, improved imaging properties and the reduced dot grain typically associated with Curecoat 1 & 2. 

Curecoat XP has been formulated for use with toner-type digital systems, which do not always provide good adhesion to films and foil. By using Curecoat XP most toner digital systems will function effectively when working with laminate and film material with an OPP, PET, BOPP or PVC top laminate.

Curecoat XP can also be used as a primer for new CureTec 100/200/300 UV varnishes, which have also just been introduced by Starna Industries, and which are used to overprint the image for value-added benefit.

As package designers, converters, end-uses, marketers, and even retailers continue to understand and embrace the production, costs, flexibility (variability) and merchandising benefits associated with digital printing technologies and processes, these plateless wonders will play a more critical role in consumer product/packaging, test market efforts and new product launches. While ideally suited for short runs and rapid changeover of product printed information, the flip side has been the lack of consumables that enable users to address the shortcomings inherent in every print process. With the introduction of the new primer coatings, these shortcomings are less of an issue.