Advancements in Primer Technology

Regardless of the digital print technology utilized by a printer, substrate optimization or priming is essential for consistently high print resolution and adhesion. True, some digital print technologies are more forgiving than others, but over the range of substrates, applications, and end-use markets, the use of a primer will be at times (or every time) required to attain similar performance to the legacy analog methods of printing.

ACTEGA (Booth 9352) has developed a line of primer solutions for digital applications that — combined with an impressive line of coatings — complement digital inks, allowing for the construction of demanding structures. These primer and coating products are sold under the brand ACTDigi, referring to ACTEGA Digital solutions.

Digital print is clearly the current focus for many printers, and various digital print technologies will feature prominently in the coming print landscape and production floors on a global basis. One driver is image continuity for global brand owners. Even if digital print equipment is similar, substrates may vary between suppliers enough for visible differences in image color development, clarity, and overall appearance. Primer is a good, cost effective way to mitigate regional variations arising from substrate changes.

Whether the digital print technology is dry electrophotographic (DEP), inkjet, or liquid Electrophotographic (LEP), ACTEGA has primer and coating solutions that fit. For example, for LEP printing, one of the commonly used technologies in graphic arts enjoying a large and diverse market share, ACTEGA has developed the ACTDigi LEP Primer AQ1409610 for paperboard and synthetic substrate priming.

Applications like folding cartons, playing cards, hang tags, plant tags, gift cards and direct mail can all be improved by using this product that is Swiss Ordinance, Nestlé, Proposition 65 Compliant, and FDA compliant for Indirect Food Contact. No other LEP primer on the market meets all these requirements. In addition, AQ1409610 can be applied in-line, near-line or off-line to best meet the needs of the printer or converter.

Printers mostly enjoy the up-time benefits of the ACTEGA primers that run cleanly, and are easy to cleanup at the end of the day.

One customer noted, “Running the same work flow and substrates, the life of the blanket drastically improved. We run a lot of the uncoated side of SBS C1S board. What we are continuing to see is that with the ACTEGA primer, the uncoated side of the C1S that we always run improves our consumables compared to before. The abrasiveness of the board is usually harsh on the blanket, leaving the blanket transfer rough, and print quality defects appear before the life span is up. Running ACTEGA, we are seeing a far better trend on our consumables lifespan plus the normal print quality defects that we usually see dissipate.”

Combine the proper primer with your digital print technology, add a coating tested and proven to be compatible for the print technology and application, and enjoy the full ease and consistency intrinsic to digital printing.