ST MARY CRAY, UK -- Sun Chemical is launching SunLase, an advanced colour-change ink designed for inline patch printing and then subsequent marking with laser technology. The new ink range enables application through various print processes and opens up a myriad of opportunities to add value to customer printing requirements, for displaying variable data on packaging.

The printed patch of SunLase provides flexibility to deliver a high definition variable output on a number of substrates using the latest laser technology. Packaging products can be nominally patch printed, reducing SKU's considerably, and then marked and coded as required with characters and graphics without resetting any consumables, giving excellent quality at very high speeds.

SunLase inks and coatings, which contain specialised Datalase pigment, are formulated to be sensitive to specific low energy laser emissions while also utilising CO2 absorbers and polymer technology allowing different substrates to be marked in line with laser technology. The new range offers end users the platform to introduce greater efficiencies and productivity as well as higher quality through the use of CO2 laser markers. Materials that weren't usually fit for marking now become suitable through the use of SunLase and even allow corrugated boxes to become fully recyclable.

Tony Palmer, Sun Chemical's Packaging Business Director, said that "We are excited to be able to launch a colour-change ink range which facilitates our customers to have improved output, efficiency and cost reduction. This is the ideal solution for businesses looking seriously at packaging innovations and environmental issues.