InkTec has introduced a pair of ‘affordable’ UV direct-to-film (DtF) printers intended to broaden application options in promotional items and printwear, with 30cm and 60cm options.
On display at The Print Show in Birmingham in September, the new machines print CMYK plus white and clear varnish onto clear film that InkTec also supplies, creating peelable ‘stickers’ that can be hand-positioned on hard surfaces including plastics, metal and board amongst others. They are applied with manual pressure and can adhere to irregular surfaces as well as flat ones. No weeding of the image is required, and the printed items can be cut out by hand or on small digital cutting tables, with suitable software support.
InkTec says that the printer’s compact size, with the option for either a 60cm or 30cm print width makes it an accessible piece of kit which can easily be used integrated into existing operations. Priced from £9,900 for the 30cm printer, the printers are supplied with a manufacturer’s warranty, full maintenance instructions and training on the day of installation by InkTec engineers.
InkTec managing director Joey Kim said, ‘Building on the success of the compact DtF Printer and solutions launched earlier this year, it was a natural progression to also introduce a UV DtF Printer. It is an exciting time at InkTec, and we have been having conversations with a variety of people who can see the potential of what this printer can bring. Some of whom were looking for a way to easily apply graphics without the challenge of having multiple application stages. As the UV technology applies the varnish at the same time during the printing process, the result is a glossy, strong finish which quickly adheres to the medium it is being applied to.’
