Ruco supports initiative against everyday violence

Could printing colors contribute to a more peaceful community? Yes, indirectly – provided they are used for the right purpose, says ink manufacturer Ruco, citing the example of converter Kolibri B.V., which recently produced a large number of ladybug stickers.

In many countries the ladybug is a symbol of affection and hope – reason enough for the LSTZG, the Dutch national foundation against senseless violence, to make the insect its emblem. Founded in 1997, the LSTZG addresses the problems of violence in all reaches of everyday life – whether in school or in sport, in domestic situations or in public. In Holland, the ladybug has become almost synonymous with the fight against violence and is found almost everywhere, particularly in schools and in public places.

To reproduce the ladybug stickers, Ruco series 985UV/NV screen printing inks were employed. The all-purpose, high gloss inks are suitable for printing on paper and cardboard as well as on a wide variety of plastics and, as in this case, pretreated polyethylene. After the pre-treatment of the substrate using Corona discharge, the stickers were printed on an ILMA 340 hybrid printing press. For the red and black colors the Gallus Screeny KS model screen print mesh was used.

Because of the high reactivity of the ink series, it cures and adheres well and also performs at high machine speeds. After 12 hours, the inks demonstrate good solvent and water repellent properties as well as convincing lightfastness.

Ruco’s representative in Holland, Bergstein B.V., supplied the printing inks for the whole 400,000 piece print run for free. Furthermore, Kolibri, one of the leading label printers in the country, also supported the good cause by supplying its labor free of charge.