Metal effect inks

The metallic ink range for sheetfed offset includes gold, silver and metallic mixed colors. Metallic inks are used for high-quality prints and are available as printable 1-component inks or as 2-component inks. An excerpt from our product range is shown in the corresponding sample folder.

Colour Codes

Application Notes

• Best gold– and silver effect can be achieved on coated substrates
• Bronze paste and varnish should be mixed together shortly before printing
• Best coverage can be achieved with two pressure cycles
• Fountain water setting should be as neutral as possible (not below pH 5.5) and kept as low as possible
• For problematic print images f. e. with reverse lettering or full surface printing we recommend to use IPA
• Substrates should be in neutral pH range
• Only use oxidatively drying inks for printing on bronze inks
• In case of subsequent finishing such as UV varnishing, dispersion varnishing, film lamination or dried metal-effect inks, a pre-test should be carried out to check adhesion or influence on changes in colour tone (metal-effect inks do not have alcali fastness). As silver ink in such cases, we recommend silver 127877 which is suitable for finishing.
• For two-component inks, the mixing ration paste : varnish should be
  – for gold colours 1:1
  – for silver colours 1:3
  
• By changing the mixing ratio, an increase or decrease of the metal effect can be achieved. This also influences the mechanical resilience (more paste —> reduced rub resistance)
• Leftover of metallic inks must not be returned to the can after use. Fount solution which is released to the ink reacts with the effect particles of metallic ink and leads to oxidation and gas generation in the can.

Storage

Metallic inks should be stored at temperatures below 25 °C (77 °F). Too high or too low temperatures may damage the product (oxidation or failure of poorly soluble components of the ink). The shelf life is 12 months.