Abstract: This invention relates to an ink-jet ink comprising at least one monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer; at least one monofunctional N-vinyl amide monomer; at least one radical photoinitiator; and at least one coloring agent. The ink has a viscosity of less than 100 mPas at 25° C., and the molar ratio of the at least one monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer to the at least one monofunctional N-vinyl amide monomer is from 1.0 to 6.0.

Abstract: This invention relates to an ink-jet ink comprising at least one monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer; at least one monofunctional N-vinyl amide monomer; at least one radical photoinitiator; and at least one coloring agent. The ink has a viscosity of less than 100 mPas at 250° C., and the ink contains no more than 15 wt % of multifunctional monomers based on the total weight of the ink.

Abstract: This invention relates to an ink-jet ink substantially free of water and volatile organic solvents comprising at least one monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer, including phenoxyethyl acrylate; at least one monofunctional N-vinyl amide monomer, including N-vinyl caprolactam; at least one radical photoinitiator; and at least one coloring agent. The ink has a viscosity of less than 100 mPas at 25° C., and the molar ratio of the at least one monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer to the at least one monofunctional N-vinyl amide monomer is from 1.0 to 6.0.

Abstract: A method of curing radiation-curable fluid is described. In one example, the method includes emitting radiation from an array of light-emitting diodes towards ink to be cured. LEDs are cheap, light weight, highly efficient in their conversion of electrical power, and give effectively instant switching to full power. Another advantage is that the emission spectrum of an LED is sharply peaked around the nominal frequency. Thus LEDs give several advantages over conventional radiation sources such as mercury lamps. A low oxygen environment is preferably provided at the radiation source to accelerate the curing reaction. Also described are inks which are specially formulated to respond to the radiation emission spectrum of an LED.

Abstract: A method of curing radiation-curable fluid is described. In one example, the method includes emitting radiation from an array of light-emitting diodes towards ink to be cured. LEDs are cheap, light weight, highly efficient in their conversion of electrical power, and give effectively instant switching to full power. Another advantage is that the emission spectrum of an LED is sharply peaked around the nominal frequency. Thus LEDs give several advantages over conventional radiation sources such as mercury lamps. A low oxygen environment is preferably provided at the radiation source to accelerate the curing reaction. Also described are inks which are specially formulated to respond to the radiation emission spectrum of an LED.

Abstract: This invention relates to inks for use in ink-jet printers that are cured using ultraviolet radiation. Specifically, the present invention relates to an ink-jet ink which is substantially free of water, volatile organic solvents and multifunctional (meth)acrylates comprising at least one monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer, at least one ?,?-unsaturated ether monomer, at least one radical photoinitiator and at least one coloring agent, the ink having a viscosity of less than 50 mPas at 25° C. This provides extra-low viscosity inks, which still meet the requirements for printing onto porous substrates such as paper and board.

Abstract: Inks are disclosed which are used in ink-jet printing. The inks are cured by ultraviolet radiation, preferably free radical initiation. The inks contain a (meth)acryate monomer, an ?,?-unsaturated ether monomer and a photoinitiator. The inks exhibit a low viscosity and give tough printed images after curing.

Abstract: Inks are disclosed which are used in ink-jet printing. The inks are cured by ultraviolet radiation, preferably free radical initiation. The inks contain a (meth)acrylate monomer, an ?,?-unsaturated ether monomer and a photoinitiator. The inks exhibit a low viscosity and give tough printed images after curing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for ensuring image consistency of an image printed onto a plurality of substantially identical objects printed by different vendors at different times and/or locations: The method involves receiving a plurality of inks and a product-printing facilitating kit which provides a three step printing process which may be carried out by multiple vendors to provide the same image on all of the objects. The product-printing facilitating kit comprises a film-positive standard having a black image in a plurality of different tones thereon, a digital file encoding said film-positive standard, a plurality of test-print standards each of said test-print standards having one of said inks printed thereon in a plurality of different tones, and a list of suggested parameters for producing a test film positive and a plurality of test-printed objects.

Abstract: A method of curing radiation-curable fluid is described. In one example, the method includes emitting radiation from an array of light-emitting diodes towards ink to be cured. LEDs are cheap, light weight, highly efficient in their conversion of electrical power, and give effectively instant switching to full power. Another advantage is that the emission spectrum of an LED is sharply peaked around the nominal frequency. Thus LEDs give several advantages over conventional radiation sources such as mercury lamps. A low oxygen environment is preferably provided at the radiation source to accelerate the curing reaction. Also described are inks which are specially formulated to respond to the radiation emission spectrum of an LED.

Abstract: Compositions suitable for use as base coats and varnishes, preferably for use in combination with electrostatic of set inks printed onto plastics substrates, particularly polycarbonate compact discs. They contain a photopolymerisable material, a photoinitiator, an inorganic transfer agent and heavy metal salt, preferably a metallic carboxylate. They have a good shelf life and good adhesion after hardening with ultraviolet light.

Abstract: An ink is disclosed for producing an ink jet print receptive surface on coated or coated polymer substrates such as CD-R substrates. The ink comprises a solid water soluble salt of acrylamidoalkanesulfonic acid, one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers or oligomers capable of being photopolymerized by ultra-violet radiation, one or more functional extender pigments, and one or more photoinitiators. A modified silicone may be added to the ink to control the spread of the ink-jet print and the print definition. The inks are hardened by exposure to ultra-violet light. The ink may be over-printed with thermal drop-on-demand ink-jet printers.

Abstract: A radiation-curable composition for use as a base coat in printing on plastic substrates such as polycarbonate. The radiation-curable composition comprises: (i) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer that is capable of being photopolymerized; (ii) a photoinitiator that is capable of initiating the polymerization of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer (i) when irradiated with ultra-voilet light; (iii) an inorganic transfer agent; (iv) an adhesion promoter; and (v) optionally, a pigment. The base coat is suitable for use in printing plastics substrates using electrostatic offset printing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for ensuring image consistency of an image printed onto a plurality of substantially identical objects printed by different vendors at different times and/or locations: The method involves receiving a plurality of inks and a product-printing facilitating kit which provides a three step printing process which may be carried out by multiple vendors to provide the same image on all of the objects. The product-printing facilitating kit comprises a film-positive standard having a black image in a plurality of different tones thereon, a digital file encoding said film-positive standard, a plurality of test-print standards each of said test-print standards having one of said inks printed thereon in a plurality of different tones, and a list of suggested parameters for producing a test film positive and a plurality of test-printed objects.

Abstract: This invention concerns inks for use in ink-jet printers for printing on to impervious or non-porous substrates such as, for example, glass, ceramics, plastics such as, for example, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, cellulose acetate butyrate, and metals. The inks comprise a resin and two solvents having different evaporation rates. The inks dry quickly without the need for heat.

Abstract: A water-based, flash-curable ink jet ink that is capable of adhering to plastic substrates, such as flexible polyvinyl chloride, the ink comprising: a) at least one water-dispersible or water-soluble acrylate polymerizable material; b) at least one polymerizable material that is capable of softening the substrate in part or in full and is resistant to hydrolysis; c) at least one colorant such as a pigment, a dye or both a pigment and a dye; and d) at least one UV photoinitiator.

Abstract: Products are screen printed at a plurality of geographically remote printing facilities with precisely defined and formulated colored inks so that the products produced at each of the facilities are substantially indistinguishable by the naked human eye. Ink formulation cards and a sample product with the precisely defined colors printed on it, are sent to each of the printing facilities. Depending upon the particular environmental conditions in the various printing facilities the formulations for various colors may differ from location to location, in order to get uniform products. Compact discs, plastic bottles, promotional clothing, signage, and like products may all be effectively handled in this manner.

Abstract: A water-based, flash-curable ink jet ink that is capable of adhering to plastic substrates such as flexible polyvinyl chloride, the ink comprising: a) at least one water-dispersible or water-soluble acrylate polymerisable material; b) at least one polymerisable material that is capable of softening the substrate in part or in full and is resistant to hydrolysis; c) at least one colourant such as a pigment, a dye or both a pigment and a dye; and d) at least one UV photoinitiator.

Abstract: A photopolymerizable composition for making screen printing stencils. The composition comprises polyvinyl alcohol having at least one photocrosslinkable group appended thereto. At least one metal salt, wherein the metal is selected from: aluminum, zinc, chromium, zirconium, titanium, tin or iron, is added to the composition. The metal salt is used to improve water resistance of a screen printing image that is prepared from the photopolymerizable composition.

Abstract: A water-based, flash-curable ink jet ink that is capable of adhering to plastic substrates such as flexible polyvinyl chloride, the ink comprising: a) at least one water-dispersible or water-soluble acrylate polymerizable material; b) at least one polymerizable material that is capable of softening the substrate in part or in fill and is resistant to hydrolysis; c) at least one colorant such as a pigment, a dye, or both a pigment and a dye; and d) at least one UV photoinitiator.