Sun Chemical will showcase innovative products for flexible packaging printers who are looking for new ways to help their customers’ products stand out on the store shelves at InfoFlex 2012.

Visitors to Sun Chemical’s booth #425 will be introduced to: high-definition digital plate technology which provides sharper images than standard plates, specialty inks that please nearly all the human senses, and coatings that lightweight packaging, maintain integrity, and reduce waste.

“Brand owners are looking for package printers to provide them with new ways for their packaging solutions to stand out in a sea of consumer choices,” said Tony Renzi, Vice President, Product Management, Liquid Inks, North American Inks, Sun Chemical. “At InfoFlex, we’re helping our customers make a splash in the industry by showcasing special effects designed to help brand owners’ packaging pop off of the shelf. From scented coatings to game-changing oxygen-barrier technology or ink designed specifically for high-speed flexo presses, Sun Chemical is bringing solutions to customers for each of the key challenges the industry is facing today.”

Plate Technology Provides Sharper Images and Sustainable Solution for Flexographic Printers

Narrow web, tag and label and corrugated printers at the show will be introduced to SunGraphics^® high definition flexographic plate technology, with Esko HD software and CDI high resolution imaging. Converters that utilize the HD printing plates can print with an image quality of up to 4,000 PPI resulting in expanded tonal range and wider color gamut to produce sharper more vibrant images and colors.

Printers will also see the new Flat-Top Dot technology that prints with 30-60 percent less impression sensitivity compared to standard digital plates, which allows for longer, cleaner, more consistent runs from beginning to end. 

Flexographic printers looking to integrate sustainable practices into their workflow can also considerSunGraphics^® SunLite In-Position Plates. Shown to reduce a printer’s carbon footprint, these alternatives to conventional mounted plates are produced using up to 50 percent less photopolymer—eliminating solvents, VOCs and PVC materials. Printers using the SunLite plates can take advantage of accurate color-to-color registration and improved safety in handling and durability due to a 70 percent lower weight than conventional plates.

Specialty Inks Engage the Senses

Visitors at Sun Chemical’s booth will see firsthand how Sun Chemical’s specialty effects inks and coatings can engage the senses. Guests will walk away with a tortilla chip bag which uses Sun Chemical’s metallic and glow-in-the-dark inks. Additional fluorescent and pearlescent inks on display can also help packaging visually stand out on the shelf.

In partnership with ScentSational Technologies, Sun Chemical can help brand owners interact with consumers using the sense of smell through SunScent^® water-based coatings. Available in stock or custom aromas, SunScent coatings, can be used for all types of print and can be applied as a spot coating and done in-line. Sun Chemical scent marketing experts can help brand owners and package printers develop a unique fragrance for their brand.

Tactile, velvet feel and soft feel coatings invite the touch of fingers, while interactive effects such as glow-in-the-dark or photochromic inks and coatings can make products seem more than a typical item on the shelf.

SunBar^® Oxygen Barrier Packaging Technology Delivers Value, Enhances Sustainability

In order to address the industry’s challenge to reduce waste costs and minimize packaging while still maintaining all the critical functioning properties of the packaging structure, Sun Chemical will introduce SunBar^® Oxygen barrier coatings to the North American market at the show.

SunBar Oxygen barrier coatings are designed to enable lightweighting of packaging by removing the metal foil and one layer of adhesive from packaging, as well as offering improved laminate flexibility. A smooth, homogenous, pinhole-free layer, SunBar is easily overprinted with inks and can be laminated to a variety of secondary films. SunBar is cost-effective, recyclable, biodegradable and press-ready, allowing for lighter-weight packaging, a reduced carbon footprint, and easy application with few changes to current equipment.

High-Quality Solvent and Water-Based Inks for All Flexible Packaging Substrates

Sun Chemical will display two lines of water-based inks at InfoFlex 2012. SunVisto^® Everest^® line of flexo water-based inks are formulated for vignette and process printing on paper and board for pre-print, multi-wall, post-print and narrow-web applications. Everest inks are formulated to allow for clean printing, good ink resolution, high-quality definition, and may be overprinted with various water-based or UV lacquers when improved resistance properties are required.

Alternatively, the SunVisto^® Advantage^® line of water-based inks are specifically developed to be pH stable for corrugated printers who want a consistent press run without monitoring or adjusting pH levels. They offer consistent color strength, longer press runs without maintenance and reduced plate washing during a press run.

Sun Chemical will also showcase SunSpectro^® Sunsharp^® solvent-based inks. Developed for high-speed, wide web flexo presses of bread bags and frozen food packaging, SunSpectro Sunsharp inks are high gloss, resistant to water, fats and oils, and formulated for low odor and low viscosity for enhanced color strength.

Developed for flexographic printing on polyethylene film, SunSpectro^® Sunsharp^® HR solvent-based inks provide moderate heat resistance of up to 350 degrees, maintain excellent gloss, and are suitable for use with conventional and high-performance printing plates. Its clean printing and water resistance make it an ideal choice for printing on items such as plastic bags, shampoo bottles and milk containers.

For high-speed flexo presses, Sun Chemical’s SunStrato^® SB Velocity DPT-285 lamination links are designed specifically for printing on polypropylene and polyethylene. These nitrocellulose-base blendable inks are compatible with a wide range of adhesives, and are formulated to combat flexo dirty print, maintain high color strength and maintain good solvent release properties. These inks are suitable for printing on harder, more durable plastics, as well as mugs.

For more information about Sun Chemical’s products on display during InfoFlex 2012, visit http://www.sunchemical.com/media_room/events/infoflex-2012/infoflex-2012 or visit booth #425 March 19-20, 2012 in San Antonio, Texas.