City Colors — Direct Imaging Devotees

The company began offering UV coating in 2004 with a system from Tec Lighting and Vencol. According to Infante, customer demand provided the impetus, but City Colors quickly moved from offering optional coating to “mandatory” UV. He notes that, in addition to providing the significantly shinier look that customers want, UV curing helps postpress operations, like cutting—because with the inks cured, there is no chance for offsetting. What’s more, pressmen can now run a job in 20 minutes instead of having to build in drying time.