DATALASE has announced the launch of a new solvent-based range of functional coatings for flexible packaging printers.
The firm said the development extends its range to include gravure printing applications. The new coatings, created for use with CO2 lasers, offer an alternative option to continuous inkjet (CIJ) and laser ablation of variable data coding.
DataLase explained that the solution is a two-step process. First, the printer lays down the DataLase laser-reactive coating as a patch on to a film or foil. This patch can either be surface printed or reverse printed under a barrier laminate layer to provide anti-counterfeit tamper-proof coding.
A CO2 laser is installed at the point in the production process where the variable data is to be applied to the product. The patch is activated upon exposure to the CO2 laser beam, printing variable data as required to create ‘highly-legible machine-readable tamper-proof codes’.
Adam Slack, product manager at DataLase said, “DataLase coding and marking solutions go beyond the capability of standard CIJ or laser ablation processes by allowing manufacturers to benefit from increased productivity, superior traceability and the elimination of inks and solvents from their production halls. Typically, changing from a laser ablation process to the DataLase solution can increase throughput by up to 30%, depending on the application. Faster coding of machine-readable black-on-white codes means increased throughput, less servicing and maintenance, and fully compliant product packaging.
“DataLase coding is extremely robust and durable avoiding smudging and rub off, which can cause annoying rework and waste for brands, as well as the potential of having to scrap an entire batch if the codes are illegible. This is particularly notable in flexible packaging applications, so we see a great opportunity for growth for DataLase in bringing our technology to this sector. We are continuing to invest in new applications and are excited about supporting brands and printers to assess the benefits of the solution.”
