Burscough - Quality Print Services (QPS) has seen an increase in sales of its most easy-to-use alternative inks, suggesting a trend of UK sign and graphics companies looking to improve workflow efficiencies in the print room.

In particular, Chris Bailey, Director of QPS, says he has experienced a surge in print businesses choosing Nazdar 705 series ink, developed as a direct replacement for the HP FB 250 series inks for HP FB500/700 printer platforms. As it is a plug-and-play system, a new Nazdar 705 ink box is simply fitted directly behind an empty OEM box quickly and easily, with no requirement to flush or re-profile the RIP software and therefore no ink is wasted. 

The Nazdar 705 series ink also offers excellent durability: its resistance to the effects of UV degradation and fading make it ideal for long-term outdoor use and its superior adhesion helps to resist edge chipping and peeling on both flexible and rigid materials, including challenging substrates such as fluted polypropylene and composites.

Nazdar 702 series ink, formulated as a direct replacement for Océ IJC256 series inks used on Océ Arizona printer platforms, and Nazdar 130 series ink, a true colour-match for the original Mimaki SS21 ink set, are also proving popular. Nazdar 130 is low-odour and is available in 2 litre bulk bags, compatible with the Mimaki Bulk Ink System, for even greater cost- and time-savings and efficiency. Both offer intense colours and excellent resistance to damage on printed output, even for long-term exterior applications.

"Across the sign and graphics industry we're seeing an increase in customers looking for products and equipment that is easy to use, both on a day-to-day basis and when they are first installed," says Chris Bailey. 

"Margins are tighter than ever and downtime is not something print businesses can afford. Our plug-and-play alternative inks are fitted in seconds when needed – and with many formulations available in bulk options, operators can spend even less time preparing to run printers."

Bailey adds: "Our alternative inks are developed by Nazdar for specific printing systems to ensure equal or better quality, reliability, colour intensity and durability than OEM inks, but at a lower price point. It is no longer acceptable for reduced costs to be associated with reduced quality and printer reliability."

Furthermore, Nazdar inks are fully supported in the field by QPS's renowned team of engineers, so on rare occasions when customers encounter a problem QPS ensures they are back up and running with as little downtime as possible.

"Customers are demanding their ink and equipment service choices tick every one of their boxes, which Nazdar inks from QPS do," says Chris Bailey.