Overview
Ultrakote, the leading UV coating for printed material in
the Northwest, provides a protective finish that intensifies
printed images and increases scuff and moisture resistance.
An Ultrakote finish can be used for book and manual covers,
brochures, annual reports, product labels and packaging, folding
cartons, and many other spot or flood coating applications.
Ultrakote is a liquid coating that is applied to press sheets
and cured by an ultra-violet process. It provides a protective
finish (gloss or matte) that seals the surface and protects against
scuffing.
Ultrakote is an ideal alternative to press varnish and film
lamination, and often eliminates the need for shrink wrapping.
It is also environmentally friendly because it lowers energy
costs and is recyclable.
Benefits
Environmentally Sound
Ultrakote UV coatings do not contain any solvents and do not
give off any solvent emissions. The elimination of solvents makes
Ultrakote in complete compliance with the EPA's regulations for
cleaner air through decreased emissions of volatile organic compounds
(VOC). Ultrakote UV coatings produce less VOCs than most aqueous-based
coatings. Just as important, UV curing does not generate any
by-products during the curing process. The UV curing technology
is considered as a Best Available Control Technology by the California
EPA.
Recyclable
Finished products with Ultrakote UV coating can be recycled
with little or no extra effort. In the Northwest, Weyerhaeuser
Corporation has examined sheets coated with Ultrakote and has
determined that they may be recycled when included in the Mixed
Waste category of stock. Fibres International, recycling specialists
in the Northwest, reports that Ultrakote UV coating is recyclable,
and since January, 1991, has been accepting Ultrakote waste as
part of their recycling services. Printed magazines, packaging,
postcards, catalogs, manual covers, and product literature with
UV coating are recycled daily. The recycling ability of UV coating
is equal to that of aqueous coating.
Safe to Use
The use of Ultrakote UV coating reduces waste and adds to
the life-span of printed products. UV curing also offers considerable
reductions of energy requirements during the curing cycle compared
to heat-drying processes. The lack of any solvents in UV increases
worker safety, and the manufacturing process of Ultrakote UV
coating does not involve the use of any known carcinogens.
Printing and Production Tips
If you feel Ultrakote may be the solution you've been looking
for and you're ready to give it a try, please observe the following
tips to make your printed pieces as effective as possible.
Use UV Coatable Inks.
Consult your ink supplier and request UV coatable inks when specifying
Ultrakote. When a press sheet is printed on both sides, use UV
coatable inks on each side, even if only one side is to be coated
with Ultrakote.
Coated Paper Stock.
Ultrakote bonds with the coating of paper. Lesser grades of paper
stock will coat with good results, but those with cast coating
(such as Kromekote) do not coat well.
Spot UV Coating.
Spot UV Coating can be used for projects including, but not limited
to the following:
Packaging
Folding cartons and die-cut folders.
Special use areas, including uncoated
areas for glue tabs.
In addition you can use Spot Coating to achieve special design
effects, such as high-lighting areas of photos.
Finished Bindery.
Die-cutting, scoring, and most other finshed bindery procedures
follow the application of Ultrakote UV Coating. Foil Stamping,
however, is done prior to coating as the foil may not adhere
to Ultrakote.
Press Powder.
Press powder greatly reduces the effectiveness of Ultrakote.
Excessive powder residues will lessen the sheen and scuff protection
of Ultrakote. A dusting run by the printer prior to coating can
be beneficial.
Stock Weight Capabilties
Flood Coating: 70# coated book - 48 pt. coated board
Spot Coating: 70# coated book - 40 pt. coated board
Sheet Sizes.
|
Maximum |
Minimum |
| Seattle Flood Coating |
34" x 45" |
8 1/2" x 11" |
| Seattle Spot Coating |
28" x 40" |
14 1/2" x 22 1/2" (Gripper 1/2" min.) |
| Portland Flood Coating |
40" x 51" |
8 1/2" x 11" |
| Portland Spot Coating |
30" x 40" |
13 x 19" (Gripper 1/2" min.) |
| |
|
|
Warning!
Due to the many variables of the printing process (inks, paper
stocks, drying characteristics, pigments, varnishes, and end
use of printed material), Ultrakote may affect certain projects
with unanticipated results. Ultrakote's financial responsibility
is limited to the cost of the coating.
