UV Flexo Luna Range
The UV Flexo LUNA range has been designed to unite the major requirements of press and print performance, colour strength, fluidity, stability, quality and value for money in today’s and future markets.
The Pantone digital library is the foundation for the LUNA range, giving a greater consistency and accuracy to the bespoke mixing guide, utilising the latest technologies that allows for a perfect platform for digital colour synergy and creation.
This ink range has the potential for use on indirect food packaging, on the condition that Food Packaging Compliance (FPC) can be demonstrated.
This is a premium product range, manufactured using state of the art dispersion techniques and conforms to exacting quality standards.
The range lends itself to a wide range of applications including self-adhesive labels, wet glue applications, sachets, IML, PVC shrink sleeving, carton and board applications, ticket and tags.
Key Features
- Developed and manufactured in line with the EuPIA Guidelines
- Designed in accordance with the PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation)
- Based on the Pantone Digital Library
- Low Viscosity & Fluidity
- Rapid & Balanced Cure Package Response
- Superior Adhesion
- Solvent Free
- Surfactant Free
- Press Ready
- High Gloss
Advantages
- EuPIA Charter compliance
- No intentionally added PFAS
- Colour accuracy and consistency
- Improved print unit performance
- Optimised dot creation and clean print
- Optimum press speeds
- Performance from 0 to maximum speed
- Use a wide range of materials
- Environmentally friendly
- Ink stability
- No excessive lamp degradation
- No foaming or aeration
- Overprintable
- No press side additions to the ink
- Aesthetic lacquer often not required
Technical Information
| Colour | Code | Light Fastness | Steam Sterilisation | Alkali | Acid | Soap | Alcohol |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | YF0001 | 4-5 | N/A | 5 | 5 | N/A | 5 |
| Orange | YF0002 | 6 | N/A | 4 | 4 | N/A | N/A |
| 021 Orange | YF0004 | 6 | N/A | 3 | 4 | N/A | N/A |
| Warm Red | RF0002 | 6 | N/A | 3 | 4 | N/A | N/A |
| 032 Red | RF0004 | 6-7 | N/A | 3 | 5 | N/A | 3 |
| Spot 032 Red | RF0014 | 3 | N/A | 3 | 4-5 | N/A | 4-5 |
| Rubine | RF0001 | 5 | N/A | 4-5 | 4 | 2-3 | 3 |
| Rhodamine | RF0003 | 5-6 | N/A | 4-5 | 4 | 2-3 | 3 |
| Pink | RF0006 | 5-6 | N/A | 4-5 | 5 | 2-3 | 3 |
| Purple | CF0003 | 3 | N/A | 4-5 | 5 | 4-5 | 3-4 |
| Violet | VF0001 | 3 | 3 | 4-5 | 5 | 4-5 | 3-4 |
| 072 Blue | CF0004 | 6 | N/A | 4-5 | 5 | 4-5 | 3 |
| Reflex Blue | CF0002 | 6 | N/A | 4 | 2 | 2-3 | 3 |
| Dark Blue | CF0006 | 6 | N/A | 4-5 | 5 | 4-5 | 3 |
| Process Blue | CF0001 | 7-8 | N/A | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Green | GF0001 | 8 | N/A | 5 | 5 | N/A | 5 |
| Untoned Black | BF0002 | 8 | N/A | 4 | 2 | 2-3 | 3 |
Process Standard Range
| Colour | Code | Light Fastness | Steam Sterilisation | Alkali | Acid | Soap | Alcohol |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Process Yellow | YF0005 | 4 | N/A | 5 | 5 | N/A | 4-5 |
| Process Magenta | RF0005 | 5 | N/A | 4-5 | 4 | 2-3 | 4-5 |
| Process Cyan | CF0005 | 7-8 | N/A | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Process Black | BF0005 | 8 | N/A | 4 | 2 | 2-3 | 3 |
Process Strong Range
| Colour | Code | Light Fastness | Steam Sterilisation | Alkali | Acid | Soap | Alcohol |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Process Yellow | YF0007 | 4 | N/A | 5 | 5 | N/A | 4-5 |
| Process Magenta | RF0007 | 5 | N/A | 4 | 2 | 2-3 | 4-5 |
| Process Cyan | CF0007 | 7-8 | N/A | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Process Black | BF0005 | 8 | N/A | 4 | 2 | 2-3 | 3 |
Notes on Fastness Table
All figures are based on the latest available information at the time of publication. Please note for inks containing more than one pigment the lowest fastness values are quoted.
For further information on lightfastness see our Knowledge Base article on “The Lightfastness of Printing Ink”.
The above lightfastness figures are based on a 1-8 Blue Wool Scale for dry lightfast conditions only. Weather fastness results are quoted for 100 hours’ exposure (approximately 1 month) on the following grey scale for weather fastness where 1* = colour disappeared. For outdoor applications that may be exposed to weathering please contact ALDUS INKS for recommendations prior to printing.
| Grey Scale | 5 | 4-5 | 4 | 3-4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Fastness | Very Good | Good | Adequate | Fair | Poor | Very Poor | Not Acceptable |
Physical Data
- Curing speed
- Curing type
- Typical densities (Optimised process weights at 150 m/min)
- Volume recommendations (cm³/m²)
- > 100 m/min
- Ultra Violet (free radical)
- Yellow 0.95 - 1.15 Magenta 1.35 - 1.45
Cyan 1.35 - 1.45 Black 1.40+ - Process work 2-4 cm³/m²
- Line or Type 4-6 cm³/m²
- Solids 5-7 cm³/m²
| Suitability/performance: | Excellent | Good | Testing advised |
|---|---|---|---|
| Substrates: | |||
| Machine coated paper | ● | ||
| Top coated synthetic substrates | ● | ||
| Thermal active papers (when over lacquered)** | ● | ● | |
| Foils | ● | ||
| Combination Printing: | |||
| UV Letterpress | ● | ||
| UV Flexo | ● | ||
| UV Flexo / Duct Varnish | ● | ||
| Water based Flexo | ● | ||
| UV Screen (silicone free) | ● | ● | |
| Suitable overprint methods: | |||
| Thermal transfer overprinting | ● | ● | |
| Direct thermal (requires over lacquer) | ● | ||
| Hot Foil | ● | ● | |
| Laser overprinting | ● | ● |
** Always test any thermal stock prior to use for UV suitability.
Substrates
This ink system has been purposely designed for use on many papers, boards, synthetics and foils both supported and unsupported. The inks are press ready and the use of performance additives is not recommended without prior consultation or recommendation by ALDUS INKS. This ink system is not suitable for thermal active papers without the use of a suitable over varnish.
NB. Due to the wide variety of synthetic substrates available we cannot provide guarantees for ink adhe-sion. We recommend the use of good quality top coated substrates. Non - top coated substrates can also be converted providing the material is corona treated or primed prior to printing.
It is recommended that adequate testing be carried out prior to production runs.
Overprinting
All inks detailed in this information sheet are free from surfactants and are considered suitable for overprinting using thermal transfer ribbons, hot foils, laser toners, flexo and screen inks. Please note that due to the wide variety of ribbons, foils and toners which are available, we always recommend overprintability trials be conducted for suitability when using these products for the first time or if the print construction changes.
It is important that tests are carried out to ensure good results can be achieved when printing on press.
Other Information
All products must be mixed/stirred thoroughly to ensure consistency prior to printing, failure to do so may alter the performance or finish of the ink.
Storage and Shelf Life
All products detailed in this information sheet have a guaranteed shelf life of 12 months, but stor-age conditions are imperative. The container should be closed immediately after use and stored in a dry area at 5-18°C away from direct sunlight. This guarantee only applies to sealed, unopened containers.
The information contained in this General Information sheet is based on the experience of ALDUS INKS and our internal laboratory test procedures. It is not to be interpreted as a warranty or guarantee in any form as conditions and variables beyond our control can affect the end result.
We recommend press trials when using new substrates and other print related variables for suitability purposes.
We reserve the right to alter any product data as a result of technical or manufacturing processes.
The information contained in this General Information sheet is based on the experience of ALDUS INKS and our internal laboratory test procedures. It is not to be interpreted as a warranty or guarantee in any form as conditions and variables beyond our control can affect the end result. We recommend press trials when using new substrates and other print related variables for suitability purposes. We reserve the right to alter any product data as a result of technical or manufacturing processes.
Technical Datasheet
Download UV Flexo LUNA Range PDF