In January 2019, Kapp Graphic, based in Evreux (Eure), acquired a special offset press: a Speedmaster XL 162 5-colour LED UV press equipped with an in-line UV flexo varnishing unit (read Kapp Graphic installs a Speedmaster XL 162 led UV ).
The 30-strong company, which specialises in high-end very large-format printing, wanted to use this investment to print on new substrates and also to replace lamination with UV varnish on cardboard displays, following a request from one of its major customers.
The results are now very positive, both in terms of UV LED printing and UV coating.
UV flexo varnish is highly resistant to folding and creasing, while being more environmentally friendly than laminating film, which makes it difficult to recycle paper. What's more, the finish is particularly glossy and production times are shortened thanks to the surface treatment at the press exit.
Today, a large part of its customers have converted to this new technology and no longer want to change it. "That's great! We have no more color variation from the lamination and it dries instantly." testifies the representative of a major perfume house.
"70% of the work printed on this five-colour press is inline UV varnish and our 120 x 160 wet laminator is only running at 50%." says Guillaume Devambez, the head of Kapp Graphic.
Concerning UV led printing, the printer has enriched its offer with more diversified and complex supports (plastic, vinyl, tracing paper...). "We work in anticipation and are able to offer our clients original products to better promote their brands".
