New UV offset ink from XSYS

XSYS Print Solutions’ narrow web inks division has announced the launch of Lithocure 3G - a UV offset ink for the narrow web tag and label sector. ‘Lithocure 3G is a dedicated and truly tailor-made UV offset ink for narrow web presses,’ said global brand manager Niklas Olsson.

Lithocure 3G is the new generation UV offset developed from the combined experience and expertise of ANI Printing inks & BASF inks – and is the first UV offset ink introduced by XSYS Print Solutions. Mr Olsson continued: ‘Lithocure 3G is the result of intense development work to optimize ink and water balance on the specially developed UV offset presses for narrow web applications. Lithocure 3G has excellent printability and color strength and a fantastic robustness to perform irrespective of varying conditions possible in narrow web printing. This will result in more press time, less waste and improved profitability for the quality minded offset printer.

‘The project was initiated by offset converters who complained to us continually about their productivity and print quality,’ explained European product manager Scott Liddell. ‘We involved the converters key people – the printers – early in the process in order to design something that would carry the brand “tailor made” narrow web UV offset. One of their prime needs, which Lithocure 3G addresses, is that it allows printers to work with a very large operating window in fount and water settings. This leads directly to increased productivity as Lithocure 3G is easy to use, requires minimum set-up time and get printers started quickly.’ 

Niklas Olsson is delighted with the end result: ‘Leading converters across the industry and across Europe have been involved in the test phase, and tell us Lithocure 3G offers excellent litho print properties, and is very stable on press, irrespective of press settings and fluctuations. They have commented on the printability and color strength across a variety of print substrates, from matt paper to synthetic films – a real advantage for today's multi-capability narrow-web presses. Overall, we are confident that Lithocure 3G is now delivering the best performance in narrow-web UV offset.’