Offset Printing
Practical guide to fine, reproducible finishing
Monday 19. January 2009 - KBA brings out book of sophisticated coating samples
For sheetfed printers keen to raise their market profile with sophisti-cated, value added inline and offline coating effects, KBA has brought out a handy guide to the production processes involved in creating and reliably reproducing such effects. The guide, “Coating Sample Book – Technology by KBA”, contains a stunning assortment of coat-ing effects complete with detailed instructions on how to achieve them, the press configurations required and the materials used. Weighing in at over one kilogram (2¼lbs), this is a unique and invalu-able aid.
KBA has long been an engine of innovation in the development and standardisation of finishing and coating processes. One example is the hybrid technology KBA introduced some ten years ago, which made it possible to create previously inconceivable coating effects in a single pass on a five- or six-colour press featuring just one coater. These include contrasting matt/gloss effects (without the need for costly photopolymer plates!), diverse surface structures and haptic properties, gloss gradations and filigree gloss effects – even on ultra-fine type or graphics.
For KBAs development engineers, providing comprehensive informa-tion on the many coating options available and, in collaboration with Fogra and other German press manufacturers, defining standards for the materials used in order to enhance process reliability have always been a top priority. Among other things it includes the certification of consumables for UV and hybrid processes. KBAs technology publi-cations Process No. 3 (quality enhancement with hybrid production) and Process No. 4 (inline coating) were both devoted to this topic. The coating sample book provides visual evidence of the options available. KBA Process No. 5 (printing on plastics and composites), which has just been published, discusses the issues associated with coating non-absorbent substrates.
Broad coating spectrum
KBAs sumptuous coating sample book contains 29 chapters on al-ternative coating processes and a total of 40 print and coating sam-ples. The sheer diversity of the processes and information contained surpasses all other collections of this kind on the market.
The first chapters are devoted to high-gloss UV coatings on hybrid inks. These are followed by various matt and special-effect coatings as well as contrasting matt/gloss effects using hybrid and drip-off techniques. Haptic effects such as soft touch and gentle touch are also featured. Other chapters are dedicated to the different dual coat-ing effects possible by combining various materials. There is practical advice on using aromatic, blister and iridescent coatings, and on dif-ferent ways of creating metallic surfaces (eg with a KBA ColdFoiler). Coating options for labels are also dealt with at length. These include UV opaque white on aluminium-coated substrates or MetalFX spe-cial-effect inks in conjunction with various coatings. Gloss test formes, finishing options such as die-cutting and cold-foil stamping, and in-formation on combining multiple processes complete this remarkable compendium.
Precise documentation
No less important than the samples themselves are the accompany-ing detailed descriptions of the exact processes involved. The sample book carefully explains the press equipment required, which can range form a five-colour press with one coater – perfectly adequate for many types of coating – to highly specialised 14-unit presses with three coaters and four interdeck dryers. Each individual stage in pro-duction is described in detail, complete with all the relevant aids and consumables, making it easily comprehensible for print professionals. Most of the samples were produced using Crescendo, Chromolux, label stock and other types of paper from Schneidersöhne. Charts and graphics provide a convenient overview of the diverse coating processes used.
Alongside the lavish and costly coating sample book KBA has also produced a swatch with accompanying explanatory booklet. Small enough fit easily into hand luggage, this is much handier for travelling sales reps, who can take it along when calling on customers and prospects. Both book and swatch can be used for consultative dis-cussions with print buyers. The sample book, which is distributed by KBAs sheetfed sales department, is restricted exclusively to printers. The swatch, which is also available to non-printers, can be obtained free of charge from Ilka Demuth (e-mail: ilka.demuth@kba.com) in KBAs Radebeul marketing department.