9 Benefits of LED UV Inks for High-speed Inkjet Printing

Today’s print customers expect providers to offer them options to enhance their printed communications. According to a recent NAPCO research study Adding Value to Digital Printing, 94 percent of marketers surveyed report that when selecting print providers, it is important that they offer print enhancement ideas. Substrate selection is one method of enhancing print and over half print providers participating in the research indicate customer demand for special substrate use is increasing.

But when printing on plastic or non-porous materials, the ink and the process of drying of the ink is a vital part that needs to be taken into account for the finished result to be a high-quality print. If care isn’t taken, the resulting graphic can be smeared and lack sharpness.

The LED UV inkjet technology found on Konica Minolta’s AccurioJet KM-1 can handle high-quality jobs on a wide range of substrates — including specialty substrates. There is no need to use special digital stocks or expensive coatings.

Among the benefits:

1. Printing on Non-Porous Substrates: The KM-1’s UV ink enables printing on a wide range of base materials, including PVC, Teslin, Tyvek, synthetic and PP synthetic, and foil, without the need for pre-coating. Additionally, KM’s original technologies create a natural offset appearance.
2. No Dry Times: Konica Minolta’s UV ink dries instantly. This means you can send short-run jobs with short-turnaround times to the next production step immediately after printing. No waiting or hassles.
3. High Resolution: The KM-1 achieves a true resolution of 1,200 x 1,200 dpi with eight levels of gray; droplet size from 3.5 to 7 picoliters; and sharp, clear text quality thanks to front-edge processing.
4. Wide Color Gamut: The KM-1’s color gamut is outstanding—68% larger than four-color offset.
5. Duplex Printing: A maximum of 1,500 sheets/hour can be output in duplex printing mode.
6. Registration Accuracy: When printing on paper substrates, KM’s UV ink eliminates issues with the waviness or curling commonly associated with thermal fixing and drying. Registration remains precise.
7. Print stability: KM’s UV ink does not readily dry when exposed to air. This prevents ejection misalignment caused by ink drying on the nozzle surfaces. Furthermore, the KM-1’s paper transport technology is identical to that of an offset press, ensuring reliable and stable paper handling throughout the paper path.
8. Light-fastness: Prints with UV ink hold up better to exposure to light than offset ink. When faced with direct exposure to the sun, offset prints start to fade within 30 days. UV prints off the KM-1 stay vibrant, making them outstanding for narrow-format signage and displays.
9. Finishing options: Konica Minolta has partnered with MGI to expand the already robust capabilities of the AccurioJet KM-1. The MGI JETvarnish 3D Evolution prints additional embellishments on any KM-1 printed impression. This allows printers to turn plain printed jobs into remarkable prints by spot coating digital prints to highlight defined areas or add tactile 3D effects. By combining the 3D Evo with MGI’s inline hot-foiling module, you’ll achieve an even more glamorous finish.

With the KM-1 LED UV inkjet press, you don’t have to choose between inkjet speed and substrate flexibility. Nor do you have to give up print quality or stability. Go boldly into new markets, knowing you have all the power and flexibility you need.

Visit us online for more information about the AccurioJet KM-1 Inkjet Press.