Q    What is meant by wide format digital printing ?

Q    What is meant by UV Curable ?

Q    What are the benefits of UV curing inks when compared to solvent based
      inks?

Q    Are there any limitations in using UV digital inks ?

Q    What is Piezo drop on demand technology ?

Q    What are the benefits of Piezo DOD vs. other digital head technology ?

Q    Other manufacturers have adapted roll fed digital presses to handle
      rigid material. Doesn't this offer the user a better option than just a
      'flatbed'?

Q - What is meant by wide format digital printing ?

A - Wide format digital printing refers to digital equipment with a web width over one metre wide. The latest superwide presses are capable of producing prints up to 5 mtrs wide and have been specifically developed for decoration of roll fed materials.

Q - What is meant by 'UV Curable' ?

A - Until now the drying of digital inks involved the evaporation of volatile solvent from the ink film, or the absorption of the ink into specially developed substrates. Normally the process is assisted by applying heat to dry the film.
With 'UV curable' inks the ink film changes from a fluid to a solid by the action of Ultra Violet (UV) light via a polymerisation reaction. UV light initiates a chemical reaction, which generates a matrix of cross-linked materials providing a solid ink film.

Q - What are the benefits of UV curing inks when compared to solvent-based inks ?

A - The main benefits when using UV curable inks are; increased efficiency, improved working conditions and benefit to the environment.
Uvijet ink once jetted sets instantly, which not only improves print quality but also production speeds.
Because Uvijet inks do not dry until exposed to UV light there is no risk of the ink drying during printing increasing the life of the print head and greatly reducing downtime.
Uvijet inks are suitable for a wide range of uncoated media saving both time and money.
Improved product resistance. UV curable inks are known to give superior product resistance compared to solvent-based inks.
With solvent-based inks there is the potential hazard of inhalation of the vapour. With Uvijet inks this inhalation problem is eliminated.
Finally, changing from solvent to Ultra Violet curing inks carries an environmental benefit, due to the elimination of solvent emissions to the atmosphere.

Q - Are there any limitations in using UV digital inks ?

A - On thin gauge PVC UV digital inks are not as flexible as solvent-based inks and may cause embrittlement problems if used for long term applications.

Q - What is Piezo drop on demand technology ?

A - Piezo (Piezoelectric) crystals are multi-composite materials which when an electrical charge is applied change shape and as a result eject a particle of ink from the nozzle. Hence the phrase 'Piezo drop on demand'.

Q - What are the benefits of Piezo DOD vs. other digital print head technology?

A -This technology gives greater opportunity to the machinery manufacturers as the ink is independent of the head firing process.

This benefit offers:

1. Greater chemistry range from water-based jet drying to UV.
2. Improved physical properties for digital inks.
3. Speed, able to print faster.
4. Greater resolution.
5. Less maintenance of heads.

Q - Other manufacturers have adapted roll fed digital presses to handle rigid material. Doesn't this offer the user a better option than just a 'flatbed' ?

A -No. The modification of existing equipment is a direct response to the market success of dedicated flatbed presses such as the Eagle 44. Whilst the idea of having a press which can print both rigid and flexible material seems logical. The reality is that this equipment is not an effective method of decorating either rigid or flexible materials. The increased machine cost makes decorating flexible material more costly. And the slower production speed achievable for rigid material also adds cost when compared to that of a dedicated flatbed.