ACTEGA, manufacturer of specialty coatings, inks, adhesives, sealants and compounds for the print and packaging industry, has announced the launch of its new ACT Exact ShrinkFlex UV Inks for shrink sleeve applications. ACT Exact ShrinkFlex UV Inks stand out for their UV curable properties, ensuring superior adhesion to shrink films and making them ideal for high-speed printing operations. The product is making it’s debut this week at Expografica 2024 in Mexico City. 

ACT Exact ShrinkFlex UV Inks can be applied seamlessly on press speeds up to 500 fpm and exceeding 300 fpm on BOPP labels, enabling high productivity combined with exceptional print quality. This ink portfolio also offers high-opacity whites, line black, and a four-color process tailored for shrink sleeves, providing the unique benefit of full 360º coverage and remarkable flexibility to fit various container shapes.

Mell Bishop, VP of Flexible Packaging North America and global market manager, Labels, ACTEGA explains, “ACTEGA’s global success, especially in the Americas, exemplifies our unwavering dedication to innovation and expertise. As market leaders, we set new benchmarks by delivering cutting-edge, high-quality products and solutions. We’re excited to introduce ACTExact ShrinkFlex UV Inks to the market at Expografica and are confident these new inks will help us to further support the needs of our customers across the Americas.”

Plus, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. has announced the official launch of its latest embellishment press. The JETvarnish 3D Web 400, a 100% web-fed digital embellishment solution seamlessly integrates spot UV coating, hot foil stamping and variable data printing in a single pass. The new finishing device is the only single-pass spot-UV and hot foil embellishment reel-to-reel system available in the market, the company says.

Today’s creatives and marketers are looking for ways to set their ideas apart in order to engage interest and purchases among highly targeted audiences. Digital production makes embellishment easier, faster and more cost-effective than ever, particularly for short and medium print runs. Additionally, respondents to a digital print trends survey from Keypoint Intelligence report the ability to upcharge approximately 23% for print-enhanced jobs.

Embellishment offers nonstop ways to create visually stunning, tactile, high-value pieces – from brochures and signage to direct mail and packaging. Combining embossing, debossing, varnishing, foils and other techniques with variable data printing to personalize materials creates even greater impact, impressions and ROI, for print shops and their customers. Labels coupled with embellishment are creating major marketing opportunities across the board. In addition, through the production and delivery of boxes and folding cartons with color, embellishments and personal messaging, the industry has helped brands deliver a novel unboxing experience for customers.

Here are the highest-trafficked news items from the week ending on November 22, 2024:

1. ACTEGA launches ACT Exact ShrinkFlex UV inks for shrink sleeves
2. Konica Minolta launches JETvarnish 3D Web 400
3. Amcor and Berry to combine in all-stock transaction
4. Wausau Coated Products promotes Dave Rosen to chief growth officer
5. Constantia Flexibles appoints David Spratt CEO