Sun launches UV offset ink system

Sun Chemical has launched a system which combines new UV ink, coating, press conditioner, wash and fountain solution chemistries all formulated to simplify UV printing. 

‘The Synergy concept consists of products that are carefully matched chemically to provide unmatched UV press performance, productivity and promote ease of use,’ says Jim Bishop, UV product manager. ‘Synergy products are specially formulated to speed make-ready, simplify ink and water balance settings and reduce start-up waste.’ 
 Sun Chemical will offer Synergy inks for sheetfed, web, high gloss and plastic applications. Based upon a new resin chemistry that is 100 percent UV based, these inks can also run on hybrid presses when UV approved hybrid rollers are used. 

The high gloss series does not require UV coating, while the plastic series is claimed to offer good adhesion on a wide variety of films and plastics, with a three-year outdoor fade-resistant set available. The Synergy plastic inks also allow printers to set up jobs using paper, which simplifies make-ready and helps reduce the high start-up costs associated with film printing.

Additionally, Sun Chemical will introduce a new line of Synergy UV plastic coatings, which are specifically formulated to work well with any UV plastic ink, but optimized for use with other Synergy products.  Sun Chemical’s pressroom supplies division, Rycoline, developed two new Synergy fountain solutions for UV applications to enhance cure speed, help reduce waste and address fountain solution tank contamination issues  A new UV wash will also be introduced, along with a UV press conditioner to help ensure that new press rollers are properly conditioned before use. This should enable more efficient start-ups when new rollers are used or during transitions from conventional ink to UV on hybrid presses.