Domino announces launch of K-Series white digital printer as screen replacement technology

Featuring a new state-of-the-art ink management system designed to provide high reliability while utilising a heavily pigmented UV curable white ink, the K600i White is targeted primarily at printers looking for a digital alternative to screen printing, offering instantaneous job change, minimal maintenance, variable data printing capability and eliminating the need to purchase screens.

The solution is particularly well suited to printing high definition white text in very small point sizes onto personal care labels and for other transparent label applications. With variable data print capability, the K600i White can also be used for promotions such as personalising with different names, places and promotional games, providing a real 'added value' offering. It can also be readily integrated into an existing PDF workflow.

"It is widely known in the print industry that there are issues surrounding white ink," explains Philip Easton, Director of Domino Digital Printing Solutions. "The reason it can be problematic is that it is heavily pigmented. When not in use, white ink tends to settle and thicken, which for ink jet technology can cause blocked nozzles resulting in unplanned downtime and higher maintenance costs."

He continues: "We have solved that problem with a complete ink system redesign. By adding a new white ink tank to our K-Series printer and a new ink system which continuously mixes the white ink, we are able to maintain performance and reliable operation."

This white ink system has already been proven in the latest generation Domino N610i seven colour digital label press, and now becomes available for retrofitting on existing digital label presses and finishing lines via the release of the K600i White.

The K600i White is an evolution of the K600i piezo drop-on-demand ink jet system and incorporates two print bars for increased ink laydown capability at higher speeds. It has an industry standard print width of 333mm (13") and runs at a production speed of 50m/min (164ft/min) or 75m/min (246ft/min) in lower coverage mode.

"With the ability to print high quality small font sizes in white text, the system is both a good replacement for screen printing and is substantially more versatile," says Philip. "Thanks to the digital print capability of the new K-Series system, there is no need for screens or manual changeovers, which significantly reduce downtime as well as costs."

He concludes: "With this latest innovation, Domino is providing faster turnarounds, operational simplicity and overall added value, a much sought-after benefit for most label printers. We are expecting the K600i White will be well received by the industry and look forward to exhibiting it at Labelexpo Europe."