At FESPA Global Print Expo Marabu will be presenting its portfolio of inks, and many new solutions in screen and pad printing for food packaging, operator control panels and glass. It will also showcase a number of digital printing solutions such as the new GBL-free solvent-based inks and an expanded range of UV-curable inkjet products. Moreover, Marabu will spotlight the advantages of digital water-based options.
Ultra Pack UVFP
Food packaging has to perform a variety of tasks: it should present the product to catch the eye and encourage consumers to make a purchase – and, above all, it has to protect its contents. For this reason, inks for food packaging are subject to strict quality audits to verify that they are not susceptible to migration. Marabu’s new Ultra Pack UVFP is the first officially approved by Swiss Quality Testing Services for migration-sensitive PE/PP plastics. The high reactiveness of UVFP inks ensures rapid drying and printing speeds of up to 4,000 containers per hour.
Mara Tech MGO and Glass MGLA
Marabu is adding two ink ranges for diverse glass applications. The single-component Mara Tech MGO baking ink is not only for glass, but also for screen and pad printing on metal where high resistance to chemicals is crucial. The ink contains silicone, and is therefore suitable for both first and second surfaces, in particular for container and flat glass. As a single-component product, it ensures highly reliable printing processes. Marabu will also spotlight its two-component Mara Glass MGLA. This ink was developed for second surfaces on flat glass items, for example smartphones, input systems (touch panels) and outdoor user interfaces.
Capacitive touch interfaces are found in a wide variety of appliances, like washing and coffee machines. The latest devices are equipped with state-of-the-art front panels and integrated touch panels. Marabu’s Mara Panel MPA is a new range of specialty decorative inks. It features an opaque white, plus a deep, non-conductive black developed for printing on the back (second surface) of popular PMMA or PC plastics. Mara Panel MPA displays very high electrical resistance to avoid interference with the input system’s functionality. Furthermore, the range has been tested for resistance to water vapour and to common cleaning agents. In many cases, household appliances feature plastic panels within a metal housing. Marabu offers solutions for the entire device.
GBL-free solvent-based inks
Product safety is the top priority at Marabu. This year, for instance, the company is launching a new generation of GBL-free solvent-based inks for digital printing in wide formats. Marabu customers will be able to choose between existing solutions and new, highly versatile GBL-free versions.
Marabu’s UV-curable inkjet inks can be employed in a variety of situations, and are compatible with all common printer heads. The offering includes flexible Ultra Jet DUV-A inks for wide formats, and the Ultra Jet DUV-C range for printing directly on flat glass and on containers made from glass or PET. There is also an alternative line of inks for Océ Arizona printers, Ultra Jet DUV-GR, plus LED-curable Ultra Jet DLE-A products. Moreover, Marabu’s UV-curable portfolio now includes two new lines: Ultra Jet DUV-MF is very versatile, and was developed especially for wide-format graphical applications. These products belong to a new generation of highly reactive inks that enhance roll-to-roll and hybrid printer productivity. Furthermore, Marabu has a new specialty ink for both indoor and outdoor POP/POS applications, it features an especially glossy finish and a wide colour gamut.
Water-based inks for digital printing are in greater demand than ever, and the market is looking for new solutions. A key focus is digital products that come into contact with human skin or foodstuffs. Marabu has created water-based inkjet inks for flexible food packaging, cardboard, toys (in line with the EN 71/3 standard), and digitally printed wallpapers. In general, these inks are ideal wherever eco-friendliness and product safety is critical, or where the advantages of water-based systems outweigh other considerations.