SHEETFED DRYING/CURING SYSTEMS -- Running Hot and Cold

Even with this reduction in curing units, the required investment and operating costs still can be a barrier to adoption of the hybrid UV process. Nonetheless, Douglas says, "Hybrid inks already are being used on practically everything being printed today."

Bonallo, of technotrans america, says he is seeing signs of the quest for high gloss and rub resistance being overtaken by interest in printing on uncoated substrates. "Everyone knows the challenges in printing on uncoated stocks with conventional inks, varnishes and water-based coatings," he points out. "The high absorbency of inks into the stock means detail and color brightness are lost as the sheet dries, and color hue can also be affected. With hybrid or full UV inks, there's far less absorbency into the stock."