Heidelberg - Ink and printing accessory specialist Pelikan is working with Linoprint, originally set up as an innovation project by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg), to optimize inks for use in digital drop-on-demand inkjet printing systems from Linoprint. "As a partner, Linoprint brings to the table proven state-of-the-art technology from Heidelberg that can deliver new ideas for the customized printing and decorating of blister packs and folding cartons, for example," explains Dr. Thorsten Lifka, Head of Group Production and R&D at the Pelikan Group.

The cooperation partners signed the contract setting out their joint approach to ink development in May 2010 at the IPEX trade fair in Birmingham. "We want to be able to supply our shared customers with inks that are particularly well suited to industrial inkjet applications," continues Lifka.

Inks tailored to the production environment
The drop-on-demand inkjet systems from Linoprint can be integrated into existing or new production and packaging lines at virtually any stage, or can be installed as stand-alone printers. Solutions from Linoprint make it possible to produce even the smallest of batch sizes as and when required without paper waste and in one or more colors. They also fulfill a wide spectrum of customer requirements in terms of print quality and productivity. "Manufacturers like Pelikan can draw on a vast amount of experience when it comes to creating inks," says Stephan Plenz, Member of the Management Board responsible for Equipment at Heidelberg. "Combined with our Linoprint technology, this expertise enables us to develop and manufacture inks that are specifically tailored to our customers' requirements. This makes it easier to achieve key objectives such as outstanding print quality and printing on special substrates." Comprehensive tests carried out on a broad range of inks with Linoprint systems form the basis of the partners' joint development and marketing activities. Over the next few months, Linoprint and Pelikan aim to intensify their collaboration by optimizing other inks for use in Linoprint systems.