Features

• Fair Gloss is displayed, but this is mainly derived from overprint varnish
• High Speed printing can be achieved
• Displays good scuff and retention for bottling in particular.
• Can react at varying temperatures dependant on requirements i.e. cold or hot reaction i.e. Standard activation temperatures are 15, 31 and 47°C (59, 88 and 117°F). Activation temperatures included within -10 and +69°C (14 and 149°F) are also available.

Properties

• Reversible colour change
• Full colour display at 3°C below activation temperature
• Colourless above activation temperature
• Cross section of activation temperatures are available.
• Good adhesion
• Fair gloss
• Low solvent retention
• No blocking in reel form
• Good heat resistance +- 160C
• Low odour
• Good flexibility
• Good rub resistance (if the printed product is going to be exposed to humid conditions then a suitable over varnish or laminate should be used).
• Light fastness only moderate and colour dependant as below: *
  Green 1
  Red, Orange & Magenta 1-2
  Yellow, Blue, Purple 2
  Turquoise 3
• Rating according to measurement on Blue Wool Scale
• Excellent overprintability
• Good slip properties
• Excellent printability and wetting
• Can accept both heat set and cold set laminations General
• For Washing up purposes the recommended reducer may be utilised.
• Can be overprinted with UV Offset, UV Flexo or UVScreen Varnishes as well as Standard Gravure and Flexo overprint varnishes (Solvent or Water based)
• For applications that use a Thermochromic ink that is activated at cold temperatures (less than 20°C/68°F) we would recommend the use of a matt laminate for optimum effect. For warm and hot temperature activation inks (20°C/68°F and above) we would recommend a gloss laminate.
• Additional Product Properties:
  AMB50 Moisture Content Analyzer
  Mixed ink measured on a LVT Brookfield Viscometer at 25°c
• Reversible Thermochromics show thermal Hysteresis. This means temperature against colour curves on the heating cycle do not match the cooling cycle curve. Thermochromic prints can experience far more than 1000 heating/cooling cycles above their activation temperature. Thermochromics consistently heated up at temperatures above 50°C (122°F)
  will slowly lose colour intensity below the activation temperature.

Recommended Printing Parameters:

Anilox/Cylinder Configuration

The optimum anilox/cylinder configuration depends on several factors, the most important of which is the desired opacity and colour of the finished product. The theoretical ink volume of the anilox/cylinder is crucial for the desired effect. Using a higher theoretical ink volume will increase the intensity of colour of the product when below its activation temperature.

The maximum press speed is dependent on press setting, substrate, and chosen anilox/cylinder. With sufficient heating power press speeds of over 180 m/min are realistically achievable.

The ink should be dried using hot air dryers or IR lamps set to a maximum temperature of 70°C (substrate related i.e. watch for shrinkage or fit issues.