K 303 Multicoater produces color matching test samples for accurate and reproducible proofs
Release Date: September 20, 2007
A surprisingly large number of industries have a need to match color at some point in their process. Although the most obvious need for some form of color comparison is centered around the manufacturer and use of inks, plastics, paints and paper, the food industry, notably brewing and baking also have a need to undertake color comparison checks, the reason being that consumers are greatly influenced by the appearance of a product of which color plays a factor. The textile and non-woven industries similarly place great importance on color reproduction.
Over the years, particularly in highly competitive sectors such as food, cosmetics, beverage and confectionery labeling/packaging brand owners and their marketing departments, as well as to some extent the major retailers, many of whom now sell their own labeled products, demand that each and every item in a given product line looks the same as its neighbor when displayed on the shelf in a retail environment. Variations in color on a pack become markedly obvious and can send out the wrong message to a possible customer. A package displayed with a lighter shade than others in the same stack may suggest color fade, possibly that the product has been on the shelf too long - and by association that the quality of the product contained within is no good.
Brand owners know 'color sells,' they're also aware that their product lines must compete with hundreds sometimes thousands of similar products; distinctive designs, judicious use of brand logos all help - but the way in which colors are selected and used define the product itself, or the product contained within. Consequently the printer or converter that prints is charged with the duty of producing a product that is consistent from run to run. To do so he must make use of best available technology, producing proofs at various times in order to ensure color standards are maintained, waste is kept to a minimum and productivity is optimized throughout the business.
Color communication and coating system technology specialist RK Print Coat Instruments provides a range of sample preparation systems that enables ink manufacturers, printers and converters, substrate producers and many others to make accurate and reproducible prints and coatings of a wide range of products on many different substrates. Amongst the systems available is the award winning FlexiProof 100 and FlexiProof UV for all pre-press flexographic applications. However, Tom Kerchiss, RK Print Coat Instruments Managing Director says: "While flexography is often the process of choice, its not the only print process option available. Some plants for example, run gravure-packaging presses alongside flexo presses. For companies with multiple methods of processing a color matching alternative could be our K303 Multicoater".
The K303 Multicoater is a multi-tasking bench top unit available with quick and easily interchangeable gravure, flexo and meter bar coating heads. As a standard gravure proofer it's often used in laboratories for quality control on all ink/substrate combinations for color comparison but also for determining factors such as printability and adhesion. The print area is 275 x 285mm and standard gravure plates are available.
Fitted with RK's flexo print head the K 303 Multicoaterutilizes doctored anilox flexo plates from which the ink is transferred via the stereo roller onto the substrate. Very fine pressure adjustments can be made to obtain a perfect print on most substrates by the use of micrometers - this facility enables the user to record settings for any given substrate. Tom Kerhiss also says that the flexo head can be used to produce 'gravureoffset' proofs.
The addition of a meter bar coating head expands possibilities still further. The film applicator supplied can be used for all types of paper coatings, liquid printing inks, paints, varnishes, adhesives and other surface coatings. Bars are available for wet coatings from 4-500 microns. The accuracy and repeatability of the system make it ideal for the production of samples for quality control and research and development. The samples are suitable for computer color matching, visual color matching, adhesion and gloss, etc.
About TMI
Testing Machines Inc. (TMI) manufactures and markets physical property testing instruments for the paper, pulp, film, foil, ink, coatings, nonwoven, textile and corrugated industries. TMI has a network of sales offices and agents throughout the US and in over 50 countries.
The TMI Group of Companies consists of Testing Machines Inc., New York, Lawson-Hemphill, Swansea, Ma., Messmer Instruments Ltd., UK, Büchel BV, Netherlands, Adamel Lhomargy, France and TMI Canada.
For Additional Information Contact:
Testing Machines Inc.
2 Fleetwood Court, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 USA
Tel: 631-439-5400
Fax: 631-439-5420
E-mail: info@testingmachines.com
Web: www.testingmachines.com
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