At Inprint 2019, the ink manufacturer Marabu will be demonstrating its technical know-how with flexible solutions and printing inks that are perfectly tailored to complex manufacturing processes.
In Munich, Inprint 2019 focuses on industrial printing processes. In contrast to graphical printing, these are already integrated into the production process. What makes them special is their immense diversity and complexity in terms of surfaces, shapes and substrates. As a development partner Marabu (booth A6-516) supplies screen, digital and pad printing inks for the decoration of packaging, operator control and front panels, automotive parts as well as toys and baby articles.
Screen printing inks for plastic packaging
Inks for food packaging are subject to strict quality audits to verify that they are not susceptible to migration (i.e. the transfer of substances from the packaging material to the foodstuff). Marabu’s Ultra Pack UVFP range is the first and only officially approved printing ink (by Swiss Quality Testing Services, SQTS, a certified institute) for migration-sensitive PE/PP plastics – the materials most widely used for packaging foodstuffs. The very high reactiveness of Ultra Pack UVFP inks ensures rapid curing and printing speeds of up to 5,000 items per hour. Furthermore, Marabu offers the UV-LED curing ink system Ultra Pack LEDC for a wide range of plastic packaging.
Single and two-component inks for container and flat glass
The single-component Mara Tech MGO baking ink is ideal 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. This makes Mara Tech MGO a perfect choice for sensitive goods, such as baby bottles, drinking glasses and medical accessories. The two-component Mara Glass MGLA was specially developed for second surfaces on flat glass items, for example smartphones, input systems (touch panels) and outdoor user interfaces.
Direct digital printing on 3D-packaging and container
The Ultra Jet DUV-C line is especially developed for direct printing on PET and glass packaging and container by means of an industrial single-pass method. PET bottles often come into contact with foodstuffs, so it is important that low-migration inks are used. The Ultra Jet DUV-C range has been tested and confirmed to display minimal migration. Moreover, this portfolio of UV products is suitable for de-inking.
Water-based digital printing ink for flexible food packing
Marabu offers the new water-based Maqua Jet DA-FXP inkjet ink for directly printing flexible packaging materials. The formular complies with the requirements of the “EuPIA Swiss Ordinance on Food Contact Materials” and “Articles and the Nestlé Guidance Note on Packaging Inks”, i.e. confirming its suitability for food packaging. The new ink is also ideal for multi-layer packaging, and for lamination and heat sealing. It is available exclusively for machine manufacturers and system integrators.
New water-based pad and digital printing inks for toys
Maqua Pad MAP is the world’s first commercially available water-based pad printing ink for adding decorative elements for sensitive applications, such as children’s toys. The water-based formulation is odourless, manufactured without the use of BPA or BPS chemicals, and has very low VOC and low PAH levels. Marabu’s water-based inkjet inks offer the benefits of digital printing, and are employed, in particular, for the personalisation/customisation of plastic toy parts. These inks can be deployed with all leading industrial print heads (e.g. Konika Minolta, Kyocera and Dimatix).
Flexible pad printing inks for diverse applications
Marabu’s Tampa Tex TPX offers very high adhesion and high opacity in conjunction with a flexible ink film. As numerous test prints and quality checks have now demonstrated, this best-selling pad printing ink for textiles is also ideal for other, highly challenging tasks. The extremely carefully sourced, high-purity raw materials not only comply with the strict specifications of clothing manufacturers, such as Adidas A01 und Nike RSL, they also fulfil requirements for baby products, toys and packaging.
Smart printing solutions for the automotive industry
Mara Mold MPC can be printed on the reverse of polycarbonate films and then coated with PC or PC/ABS during the FIM (Film Insert Moulding) process. Mara® Mold MPC offers excellent mouldability and high temperature resistance in conjunction with very good adhesion to injection-moulded substrates. Marabu’s Mara Poly P offering is ideal for aluminium trim, door sill plates and glossy logo badges. It can be combined with Mara Pur PU to ensure high durability on aluminium parts. The dual-cure screen printing varnish Mara Cure HY delivers the desired surface effect – for both matte and high-gloss finishes. The UV-curable Ultra Jet DUV-MF inkjet ink is a highly versatile ink suitable for multiple scenarios, including printing rigid substrates, such as pre-moulded automotive components. Ultra Jet DUV-MF is also available in a LED-curable version.
Specialty ink for decorating front panels
The latest household appliances are equipped with state-of-the-art front panels and integrated touch panels. Marabu’s Mara Panel MPA, a range of specialty decorative inks, features an outstanding 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 from leading manufacturers.
Combined printing techniques for operator control panels
Marabu offers a combined solution for operator control panels, comprising both screen and digital processes. The PET foil material employed to make membrane keyboards is decorated via digital printing. Benefits include shorter printer set-up times, cost-effective production of very small print runs, and customised designs for individual membrane keyboards within a single print job. The blocking layer is subsequently screen printed. There is a choice of inks available for this task, such as the solvent-based Mara Switch MSW system with an effective opaque white, black and block-out silver or, where required, the UV-curable Ultra Switch UVSW line.
