“To address the demands of its growing sign and display graphics customer base,” Ricoh is launching its own Aqueous Resin (AR) latex ink for the Ricoh Pro L4100 series of large-format printers. The AR ink, said the OEM, has ability to deliver sharper, richer, colour on a wider range of substrates with faster drying times and reduced energy consumption compared to the original latex ink. The new AR latex inks are available in CMYK plus orange and green for an expanded colour gamut. White ink is also available to enhance printing on transparent or dark substrates. The inks are ideal for a wide range of uses – from posters and point of purchase, to window applications and outdoor banners. Excellent spot colour simulation with 6-colour process printing enables accurate printing of package proofs and other colour-critical projects. “High black density and improved glossiness deliver rich and contrasting details, while white ink ensures vivid results,” said Ricoh.
The ability to print white ink as a foundation colour layer on transparent or dark material enhances the natural vividness of colours. With three-layer printing, where white ink is printed between colours, images are visible on both sides of transparent substrates even though the printing is only on one side. This enables more dramatic and impactful colour with backlit and other transparent signage. Ricoh’s AR latex inks dry quickly for more efficient production, enabling operators to move to secondary processes such as laminating and installation.
Using cold cure at 60 Degrees Centigrade, the new inks can be used with a variety of lighter weight and heat-sensitive media. Supported media includes film, coated paper, PET, tarpaulin, PVC, polyester cloth, cotton, wallpaper, transparent vinyl and more. In addition to substrate flexibility, cold cure saves money by reducing power consumption. The inks have also been awarded the Greenguard Gold certification by UL Environment in recognition of their low chemical emissions and improvement in air quality where the inks are used. Printers can choose up to eight cartridges for the ideal ink colour configuration for their Pro L4160 series printer at the time of installation.
Ricoh launches new eco-friendly AR Latex Inks
