Domino launches fast-drying ink for high-speed coding

Domino Printing Sciences has launched a new ultra-fast-drying ink aimed at companies that need to implement "item level serialisation whilst maintaining line speeds".

The new ink (BK652) has a drying time of less than a second, which is at least 50 per cent quicker than others on the market and is also highly resistant to fading. The ink displayed "exceptional lightfastness in independent tests", according to Domino, which says it is four times more resistance to fading than typical inks used in retail packaging.

The ink has been developed with the EU Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) firmly in mind, according to Domino's life sciences manager Craig Stobie.

"Under the legislation pharmaceutical product will be authenticated at the point of dispensation, making long term ink lightfastness and contrast vitally important, even after what could be years in the supply chain," he said, adding that medicine packs carrying code that cannot be scanned will likely be scrapped.

Moreover, the rapid drying enables data and codes to be completely fixed and bonded without impeding on the productivity of the rest of the packaging line. For example, cartons with data printed using BK652 can be picked up in the second and third operations on the line much quicker, meaning that operational efficiency is increased.

De-cap time is also improved when using the ink and this reduces the initial rejects manufacturers see after the machine has been idle, cutting reworking requirements.

"Our in-house ink development team re-formulated this product in light of the legislative requirements we see in Europe and the US," said Alan Mutch, product manager for thermal ink jet at Domino.

The new ink is designed for use with Domino’s G-Series thermal ink jets, which were introduced in 2009 and can print high-definition coding onto a variety of substrates including cartons, sachets, pouches, labels and blister packs.

The G-Series can print bar codes, 2D codes, human readable information and graphics onto a variety of both porous and non-porous surfaces.