With elasticity and flexibility being the key and an essential part of today's graphic, industrial and packaging applications, Roland DG (UK) has announced a new formulation of UV-curable ink which is designed for use in the company's innovative VersaUV family of printers. Ideal for increasing the potential generated from its LEC-330, LEC-540, LEC-300 and recently launched roll to roll and flat-bed wide format solution, the LEJ-640, the Roland Eco-UV S represents the next generation of chemistry which extends the capabilities of these platforms and their LED curing technology.

The extra elasticity incorporated into the tough and durable Eco-UV S inks enables prints to be stretched and extended up to 220 percent, and this brings new output opportunities to users of Roland's VersaUV platforms across all industry segments. The innovative chemistry enables effective and reliable production of prototypes where shrink films and packaging materials are required, and its moulding capabilities are perfect for adhering to the contours of PET bottles, plastic cups, thermoformed and vacuum formed products, plus three-dimensional signs and displays, industrial items and novelties for interior décor.

Roland's new Eco-UV S ink is formulated to retain flawless image quality across uneven shapes, corrugated and irregular surfaces, indentations, corners and curves. Able to print onto a wide variety of shapes whilst retaining optimum adhesion and absolutely even colour consistency, it is ideal for prototyping shrink labels for PET bottles, ABS, PMMA, polycarbonates and other traditionally difficult substrates.

Used in conjunction with Roland's VersaUV printers, the new Eco-UV S inks offer high levels of durability with their tough, fine quality of output complemented by the curing capabilities of LED long life lamps which don't damage even the most sensitive of materials. These new inks are available in CMYK plus one channel of white, or a configuration of CMYK plus two channels of white.

"Demand for our machines to be able to print increasingly to different, often difficult shapes, has resulted in the development of Roland's new Eco-UV S ink formulation which addresses the requirements for a highly elastic UV-curable formulation," explains Steve Chappell, Business Manager – Packaging, Proofing and Industrial Labelling, at Roland DG (UK) Ltd. "Prototyping and specialist products are now easy to manufacture with our versatile VersaUV printing platforms, and we can take their functionality one step further with this new ink chemistry's adhesion and conformability of up to 220 percent."

Existing users of Roland's LEC-330, LEC-540, LEC-300 and LEJ-640 UV-curable machines can upgrade their printers to accommodate the new Eco-UV S ink products. Purchasers of new platforms are able to specify their ink preferences at the time of ordering.

Visit www.rolanddg.co.uk or call 0845 230 90 60 for more information.