Abstract: A process for preparing printed matter is disclosed which comprises applying first a UV-curable ink containing photoinitiators followed by an overprint varnish and then UV curing such as the amount of photoinitiators is less than 6% by weight of the total weight of the ink. The present invention relates to a printing process by applying first a UV-curable ink followed by an overprint varnish (OPV) and curing.

Abstract: A process for preparing printed matter is disclosed which comprises applying first a UV-curable ink containing photoinitiators followed by an overprint varnish and then UV curing such as the amount of photoinitiators is less than 6% by weight of the total weight of the ink. The present invention relates to a printing process by applying first a UV-curable ink followed by an overprint varnish (OPV) and curing.

Abstract: An ink jet-printable composition, which comprises a compound having a reactive silyl group and which is suitable for printing on non-porous substrates such as a glass or ceramic, and a process of decorating non-porous substrates involving ink jet printing the composition onto the substrate, exposing the printed composition to actinic or electron beam radiation to initiate curing and heating the printed composition to a temperature of at least 100° C.

Abstract: The invention provides a drop-on-demand ink jet printing apparatus for printing inks comprising water or a volatile solvent onto a continuous web substrate, the printing apparatus comprising: a print head, a chamber for retaining water or solvent vapor in the vicinity of the print head, the chamber having an inlet for the continuous web substrate and an outlet for the printed continuous web substrate, and means for feeding the continuous web substrate through the chamber inlet into the chamber, past the print head and out of the chamber outlet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of etching or plating comprising the steps of: i) ink jet printing an alkali removeable water insoluble hot melt ink jet ink onto a substrate to form a resist image; ii) etching or plating the substrate in an aqueous acid medium; and iv) removing the resist image with an aqueous alkali.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a solar cell is provided. The process comprising the steps of: i) ink jet printing an alkali removable water insoluble hot melt ink jet ink onto a substrate comprising a silicon wafer to form a resist image on the substrate; ii) etching or plating the substrate in an aqueous acid medium; and iv) removing the resist image with an aqueous alkali.

Abstract: A process of ink jet printing on a variety of substrates and an apparatus for performing that process. In which process: a primer is applied to a substrate material; ink is ink jet printed onto the primed substrate; a characteristic relating to print quality is evaluated; the composition of the primer is adjusted in dependence on the evaluated characteristic relating to print quality; and the adjusted primer composition is applied to the substrate material and ink is ink jet printed onto the primed substrate material to give a printed product.

Abstract: The invention provides a drop-on-demand ink jet printing apparatus for printing inks comprising water or a volatile solvent onto a continuous web substrate, the printing apparatus comprising: a print head, a chamber for retaining water or solvent vapour in the vicinity of the print head, the chamber having an inlet for the continuous web substrate and an outlet for the printed continuous web substrate, and means for feeding the continuous web substrate through the chamber inlet into the chamber, past the print head and out of the chamber outlet.

Abstract: The invention describes a radiation-curable ink jet ink, which comprises at least 50% by weight of cyclic trimethylolpropane formal acrylate (CTFA), and further comprises a free-radical photoinitiator, and which is substantially free of volatile compounds.

Abstract: The invention provides a drop-on-demand ink jet printing apparatus for printing inks comprising water or a volatile solvent onto a continuous web substrate, the printing apparatus comprising: a print head, a chamber for retaining water or solvent vapor in the vicinity of the print head, the chamber having an inlet for the continuous web substrate and an outlet for the printed continuous web substrate, and means for feeding the continuous web substrate through the chamber inlet into the chamber, past the print head and out of the chamber outlet.

Abstract: A solid state radiation source array is provided, the array comprising at least one solid state ultraviolet radiation source and at least one solid state infrared radiation source.

Abstract: An ink jet printer for printing a cationic ink jet ink is provided. The printer comprises a print head for printing the ink onto a substrate, a heating means for heating the ink on the substrate, and a source of radiation for curing the heated ink.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ink jet printing process which comprises the steps of i) applying a radiation-curable primer to a substrate to form a layer of primer, ii) ink jet printing a radiation-curable ink onto the primer layer, and iii) curing the primer and the ink, wherein the viscosity of the primer increases rapidly after application to the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of ink jet printing a radiation-curable ink from a printer having a de-wetting faceplate onto a substrate in which the ink is such that it has an advancing contact angle on the substrate of no more than 22° and a receding contact angle on the faceplate, after a period of contact of one month, of greater than 28° . The invention also provides a radiation-curable ink for use in an ink jet printer having a de-wetting faceplate, the ink having a receding contact angle on a material having a surface energy in the range of 16 to 20 dyne/cm of greater than 28° after a period of contact of one month and having an advancing contact angle on a substrate having a surface energy of less than 30 dyne/cm of no more than 22°.

Abstract: A process of ink jet printing on a variety of substrates and an apparatus for performing that process. In which process: a primer is applied to a substrate material; ink is ink jet printed onto the primed substrate; a characteristic relating to print quality is evaluated; the composition of the primer is adjusted in dependence on the evaluated characteristic relating to print quality; and the adjusted primer composition is applied to the substrate material and ink is ink jet printed onto the primed substrate material to give a printed product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of etching or plating comprising the steps of: i) ink jet printing an alkali removeable water insoluble hot melt ink jet ink onto a substrate to form a resist image; ii) etching or plating the substrate in an aqueous acid medium; and iv) removing the resist image with an aqueous alkali.

Abstract: An ink jet-printable composition, which comprises a compound having a reactive silyl group and which is suitable for printing on non-porous substrates such as a glass or ceramic, and a process of decorating non-porous substrates involving ink jet printing the composition onto the substrate, exposing the printed composition to actinic or electron beam radiation to initiate curing and heating the printed composition to a temperature of at least 100° C.

Abstract: A radiation-curable, ink jet-printable composition comprising a compound having a reactive silyl group that is suitable for use as a masking composition and/or processes in which the composition is applied onto a substrate; the printed composition is exposed to radiation to form a cured image that masks selected areas of the substrate; the unmasked areas of the substrate are modified; and the cured image is treated with an alkaline solution in order to release the cured image from the substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a drop-on-demand ink jet printing apparatus for printing inks comprising water or a volatile solvent onto a continuous web substrate, the printing apparatus comprising: a print head, a chamber for retaining water or solvent vapour in the vicinity of the print head, the chamber having an inlet for the continuous web substrate and an outlet for the printed continuous web substrate, and means for feeding the continuous web substrate through the chamber inlet into the chamber, past the print head and out of the chamber outlet.

Abstract: The invention describes a radiation-curable ink jet ink, which comprises at least 50% by weight of cyclic trimethyllolpropane formal acrylate (CTFA), and further comprises a free-radical photoinitiator, and which is substantially free of volatile compounds.