Domino Digital Printing Solutions has confirmed it has had initial positive results using its latest UV90 six color UV-curable ink set operating in the N610i ink jet label press, successfully printing on a number of industry standard shrink sleeve materials. There are a number of converted samples available in their booth.

Domino has launched UV90 at Labelexpo. These inks have excellent physical properties for printing on self-adhesive labels, but shrink sleeve capability has long been a disadvantage for inkjet when compared to liquid toner solutions. With this latest technology breakthrough, this is no longer the case, the company says.

For shrink sleeve applications, Domino is proposing that the N610i is supplied in a hybrid configuration using a flexo station after the N610i Integration Module to print a cost-effective white back layer to the shrink label. The combination is designed to provide the full benefits of digital printing with instantaneous job change, minimal substrate waste and variable data printing capability, but more cost effectively through combining flexo printing for the high ink usage non-digital elements. They are working in conjunction with a number of industry partners, including the press supplier MPS and AB Graphics International.

“We are in the process of understanding the cost of ownership model for shrink sleeve printing,” says Philip Easton, director of Domino’s Digital Printing Solution’s business. “Industry research suggests that many of the liquid toner applications are just used for prototype production and early product life requirements. This is mostly driven by high unit cost and slow running speeds. We think the Domino N610i high speed inkjet solution, running 70m/m combined with a lower cost flexo printed white for the backing, will offer a different proposition and will be a disruptive technology.”

After on-going testing of this capability with a shrink sleeve printer, Domino is currently confirming its first sale with hybrid line configuration designed to print both self-adhesive labels and shrink sleeves.

Philip Easton further comments, “We are really delighted with the performance of our UV90 ink set. The development team in Domino has surpassed all our expectations with this ink, it is so positive to offer something very new for the market. Many of our customers have been asking for broader print capability. UV90 has improved adhesion and lightfastness and now with shrink-sleeve printing, we feel confident the already rapid adoption of inkjet technology will accelerate further.”