ImageTek Labels is an expert in the manufacturing of UV resistant laminated labels and cured inks. UV inks provide the ultimate in durability and longevity when warm weather environments like moisture and high temperatures are a concern. Resistance to extreme temperatures and ultraviolet rays are more concerning in the summer months, our weatherproof labels will combat harsh conditions that would cause physical damage to water solvent or un-laminated materials.
With the summer months upon us, product labels have the unique job of not only representing your products well, but also protecting them. UV exposure can cause damage to labels themselves through curling, lifting or fading. Also, many products can break down or be rendered spoiled when exposed to a high degree of heat or ultra-violet light.
In order to protect your brand, packaging and products, you must first consider the process by which your labels are being printed. Certain inks are less durable than others, causing colors to run or, smudge or change during UV and water exposure. Making sure your inks are UV resistant is the first step to ensuring your seasonal-product labels will stand up to the test. Traditional print technologies are generally less resistant to the harsh conditions summer can bring, unless your using UV cured digital print technologies, your putting your products at risk for failure.
Ultraviolet curing (commonly known as UV curing) is a photochemical process in which high-intensity ultraviolet light is used to instantly cure or “dry” inks, coatings or adhesives. Offering many advantages over traditional drying methods, UV curing has been shown to increase production speed, reduce reject rates, improve scratch and solvent resistance, and result in superior bonding.
UV curing has been widely adapted since its introduction in the 1950’s. Used in various industries like automotive, electronics and health & beauty . UV curing replaces the conventional water and solvent-based thermal drying processes due to its ability to increase productivity and product life cycle, as well as offer more environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional inks.
By using light instead of heat, the UV curing process causes a reaction to the inks themselves, causing them to harden instantly. Traditional curing generally results in higher waste through production as many solvent based inks need to be coated then go through a process where by the majority of the ink needs to dissolve, through exposure to heat, that evaporates over 50% of the initial coating.
In UV curing, there is no solvent to evaporate and no waste, resulting in a more earth-friendly manufacturing process and less of your dollars literally going down the drain. Also, production increase through increased speeds of production, saving you both time and money.
UV curing results in increased benefits to manufacturers such as:
If you are not using UV cured inks or over-laminates on your labels, now is the time. ImageTek Labels can manufacture these UV resistant labels on a variety of facestocks including polyester, polypropylene, and UL approved laminates. We also supply base and laminate material for the PCM/Image-Tek Protector 5 printer laminator. Custom preprinted, variable serialization and four-color process are available on a wide variety of substrates as well. With digital printing providing better ways to manufacture the products your company relies on, saving you time and money. For a sample of UV printed labels or over-laminates, contact ImageTek Labels today. Drop us a line at sales@imageteklabels.com or call (866) 403-5223.
Located in the center of the Precision Valley region of Vermont, ImageTek Labels converts and manufactures custom label & printing solutions that fit our customer’s strict specifications.