Avery Dennison recently issued the ICS Performance Guarantee for graphics printed with Epson UltraChrome® GS3 inks on the SureColor® S40600 and SureColor S60600 solvent inkjet printers. The ICS Performance Guarantee combines Avery Dennison films with other qualified components from leading printer, ink and clear coat manufacturers to create a stringent set of durability and physical performance specifications.
“The UltraChrome GS3 solvent inks provide outstanding print quality, durability, and media compatibility, plus improved drying times to drive productivity,” said Matt McCausland, Product Manager - Professional Imaging, Epson America, Inc. “Leveraging this advanced inkset, the SC-S40600 and SC-S60600 solvent printers allow print service providers to get the job done right and on time – for any size print shop.”
Avery Dennison digital media is warranted for up to five years when used with Epson UltraChrome GS3 ink. The five year warranty is an improvement from the previous warranty of three years. This warranty is based on zone 1 vertical exposure durability estimates.
Avery Dennison has tested a variety of inks in conjunction with its films, but the company went one step further with Epson inks, conducting tests that would determine best practices for using overlaminates on printed graphics.
“Solvents from inks can cause issues for graphic performance if laminated before they are outgassed,” said Molly Waters, senior technical specialist at Avery Dennison. “Potential issues include lifting or cracking of the graphic and the film being extremely difficult to apply, because it is too tacky or too soft.”
The industry standard for solvent printers has been to allow 24 hours for solvent outgassing before laminating printed vinyl film. Avery Dennison found, through its testing, that the necessary outgassing period for the new Epson inks is six hours. UltraChrome GS3 inks significantly reduce the wait time for lamination from 24 to six hours when properly ventilated.
“Epson came to us and asked if there was a way to evaluate their ink in respect to outgassing, because they felt their new inks did not require the usual 24 hour waiting period,” said Waters. “We are in the process of compiling data on ink from other manufacturers to create a more accurate waiting time based on which ink has been used.”
