The Flint Group, has expanded its UV LED dual-curing flexo ink range with EkoCure XS white inks that deliver quality results for even the most demanding shrink-sleeve designs without flaking or cracking. Available to customers across North America thus far, the company’s new shrink white inks enable robust, flake-free performance across the EkoCure series with formulations designed to preserve ink adhesion and help brands stand out on the shelf.
The inks are engineered to deliver a tough, ultra-smooth white base that maintains its integrity without flaking or cracking, even in high-shrink or high-stress areas of the sleeve. Furthermore, dual-curing technology gives converters the flexibility to run EkoCure XS shrink whites on both UV and UV LED curing presses, streamlining print workflows and improving productivity. To achieve the desired performance characteristics, Flint Group recommends that the total ink film thickness of the graphic print does not exceed 15 bcm.
Rob Stendahl, R&D Technology manager, North America, at Flint Group, said, “With our EkoCure XS shrink whites, we’re removing uncertainty from the most challenging part of shrink sleeve production. High-shrink, high-stress areas routinely risk exposing whites to cracking and flaking that can ruin print quality and damage a design’s shelf appeal. This new formulation is designed to resist these challenges and deliver a glossy, durable finish that keeps branded graphics looking their best.”
Beyond durable print quality, the new shrink white inks offer additional benefits for converters, including time and waste savings, by eliminating the need to strip ink during tape or crinkle testing. As a best practice, the use of both, the 1st and 2nd down UV shrink combination of the UV shrink white layers supports best overall shrink character, opacity, and coefficient of friction (COF) characteristics.
The solution also enables longer high-speed runs with consistent adhesion and fewer print defects, integrating seamlessly with Flint Group’s toolbox inks.
Stendahl added, “At Flint Group, we partner closely with our customers to understand what slows them down on press and the challenges they face in meeting brand owners’ requests. These new EkoCure XS shrink whites represent our latest step in delivering practical, high-performance inks that work in real production environments, enabling printers to operate with confidence and brands to look flawless on shelf.”
