Whatever technology you use, and no matter what markets you serve, CyanX has the right UV solution for you. Here, Richard Mawson, managing director of CyanX provides some advice and helps guide you through investing in a UV system.
Even before the catastrophic impacts of the pandemic on many businesses, the print market was seeing a number of challenges. It was becoming increasingly difficult to survive, unless productivity and efficiency were achieved.
Print companies needed to do more in terms of creativity and innovation. They needed to do more in terms of what they can offer to customers. And, environmental sustainability must be high on the list of considerations when it comes to investment.
Print – no matter the sector – has become shorter run. It is increasingly being required in shorter timescales or even on-demand. This means that whatever technology you use – offset, flexo, or gravure – you have to be quicker, leaner and more proactive than ever before.
Print machine manufacturers have been quick to realise that they have to help. By providing better, faster, higher quality and more efficient machines, they can assist their customers. Yet, the vast majority of companies do not need to invest in a new press; they simply need to ensure that the one they have is equipped to its fullest to ensure success. One way of doing this is retrofitting, especially when it comes to LED-UV.
At CyanX, we also want to help. We can offer a wide range of UV solutions, that can be efficiently and cost effectively retrofitted to most manufacturer’s presses, in the field, to update and aid flexibility to what you do now. These systems can help you to be more effective; they add value, they can cut cost, they can help you to be more environmentally friendly, and they do help you to be more versatile.
Whilst UV solutions will not provide a magic wand with which to make your company an overnight success, if you already have a sound business that is just looking for ways to differentiate itself, or to drive more resourcefulness, or to produce ever better applications, or to enter new markets, then this is an area that is well worth looking at and investigating further.
The Benefits
The benefits of adding LED-UV or similar solution are many.
You will find that you can saving time and money in various areas – everything from manpower to savings on resources. There will be less waste generated too, and as substrates come off the press dry, you can turnaround jobs much more quickly.
Because of the instant drying, you will be able to make use of many different substrates – even plastic films, foils and metalised papers, some of which you would find difficult to handle on a ‘conventional’ press. Special effects can also be easier to achieve.
The system will also prove a lot cleaner too, so you will notice a difference in the pressroom, making a better working atmosphere for employees.
Another benefit is the fact that you won’t need any extra drying equipment or extra printing units or coaters for barrier seals.
You will find that you use significantly less power than other drying systems, as the LEDs need less energy. You will therefore cut your energy bill. The LED arrays also have a longer life than conventional UV lamps.
In fact, there are lots of sustainability benefits from saving on power to eliminating spray powder, from the ability to print alcohol free to VOC free inks. There are also no ozone emissions generated.
Quality considerations are also enhanced. Make ready will be quicker, and up to colour too. The output from the press is usually superior when it comes to scratch and rub resistance.
What to think about
Making any investment is something that has to be identified, planned, and researched. But following these simple steps will help you to get the right UV system, suitable for the requirements of your business.
First, we would strongly recommend simply opening a conversation with us. CyanX has a depth of knowledge in this field and we will be able to help you find a system that best fits your needs. We offer systems from leading suppliers such as Eltosch Grafix/Honle, solutions that are tried and tested in the field and relied upon and trusted by print and packaging producers around the world.
The Honle Group consists of Honle, Eltosch Grafix and Print-Concept, all of whom have been developing and manufacturing drying systems for the printing industry for decades – always based on cutting edge technology, always of the best quality and always tailored to the customer’s needs.
For almost 50 years, Eltosch Grafix has been developing and manufacturing high tech IR, hot air and UV drying systems for all machine formats. Eltosch Grafix also offers high end curing systems in both UV-LEC and UV-LED which are perfectly matched to the demands of sheetfed printing.
Don’t forget to ask about inks and plates too. There may be differences to the process if you go for a UV system, so ensure that you are happy with peripherals too – and that the cost differential between buying them, instead of your normal press accessories, and the cost savings that you will make from your new system, make business sense.
Talk to other print companies. UV is increasingly popular in the UK and many users are having great success, so give them a call and see what they have to say. After all, they are the ones who are using it in real time, every day.
CyanX can help to get the best for your business.
