While companies often trademark new ink product names, what ultimately matters most is performance on-press. The newly introduced EcoTech process color inks from INX International Ink Co. are doing exactly that and more. Not only are they making their mark with sheetfed print operations throughout North America, they are a prime example of the Green initiatives and activities INX is committed to with enviro-friendly quality products that have minimum negative impact on the environment.
Along with its impressive performance efforts, EcoTech offers printers a greener, more sustainable ink system. Extensive INX resources and R & D commitment have led to developing solutions that are economically feasible and environmentally viable. Proprietary ingredients in EcoTech's formula contribute to the enhancement of these renewable resource inks' performance and stature. Over 61 percent of its raw materials content is from bio-based, renewable resources. Vegetable oils account for nearly three-fourths of that percentage and EcoTech's VOC content is less than 5 percent. In addition, EcoTech process colors conform to ISO 2846-1 standards and are suitable for GRACoL G7 certification.
"The users of these new enviro-friendly inks are seeing extremely fast start-ups with colors in-balance quickly and with fewer wasted sheets," said Chris Bonk, INX VP ? Technical Director for Offset Inks. "EcoTech inks are also living up to their promise in terms of sharp dot reproduction on a wide range of coated and uncoated substrates. They have very good gloss and rub resistance and provide excellent press stability, especially in light coverage situations."
Fast set and dry times with EcoTech are also earning customer kudos. So is the inks' wide water balance window that makes jobs easier to run while delivering consistent output. EcoTech's stay-open ink formulas reduce ink waste as well as the need for press wash-ups, and they can be left in the fountain overnight, yet another environmentally viable characteristic of this ink system.
INX has Idea Alliance-trained GRACoL G7 certification experts among its technical staff who can assist with the Master Printer certification process. EcoTech inks can be teamed with aqueous coating or overprint varnishing in-line with VP Soy overprint varnish. EcoTech also accepts foil stamping, UV coating and laser imprinting after 48-72 hours.
"EcoTech is proving that it's a win-win ink system," concluded Mr. Bonk. "Its advanced formulations are providing environmentally viable as well as economically feasible ink options that today's printers are looking for."