Specialty Graphic Imaging Association Digital Printing & Imaging Association
	Executive Summary June 2006

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Picking the Right Ink System is Important to Success
Imagers have an increasing number of ink system options. That’s a good thing, but it means ink decisions are growing increasingly complex.

There’s been a boom in the sheer number of available solvent-based and UV ink systems. That’s exciting, but what’s even more exciting is the chain reaction the boom has sparked:

• With more ink systems and chemistries comes a greater number of cost-effective media choices.
• With a greater number of cost-effective media choices comes an increase in applications and capabilities.
• With an increase in applicable applications and capabilities comes the ability to break into new markets.

Deciding on an ink system involves evaluating the ink’s capabilities in regard to your current business needs and your future plans. With the myriad options, that choice becomes more complex — especially when you consider it in terms of the business opportunities a system may or may not present.

UV inks, for example, have really opened up the rigid media markets. But as the technology develops, we can expect to see increased flexibility of cured UV inks. When that happens, UV inks will begin to reach into markets currently supported by other ink systems. If you’re considering adopting UV inks, you need to keep that idea in mind.

In the solvent-based market, SGIA is very pleased to see vegetable-based solvents joining low odor, mild and eco (economy) solvent ink systems. These solvents are created from a renewable resource, and finding replacements for petroleum products is a positive step for the global community.

And, while virtually all solvent-based ink systems can be used safely with the proper controls in place, vegetable-based solvent inks present considerably less of a safety/environmental management requirement than conventional inks.

We’re clearly in a multi-technology, multi-ink system marketplace. Increasingly, digital imagers are employing more than one ink system. With the growing number of options from which to choose, making the right ink system choices can be both challenging and critical to your success. Still, to choose the correct ink, you have to weigh all the known factors. You need information.

SGIA is working to provide that information. Online at Surveys & Statistics on SGIA.org, our Ink Consumption Survey is looking at the inks imagers use — and how they use them. (Participants will receive a report summary at no charge.) Also online at SGIA.org, we’ve compiled a detailed guide to inks.

At SGIA, we’ve heard loud and clear that imagers need a better understanding of the various ink systems. During the coming months, you’ll see more articles, reference materials and seminars posted or announced at SGIA.org, all focused on helping you select the right ink systems. And in September, at SGIA ’06, you’ll see them all in action. Combining SGIA information resources and the first-hand experience at SGIA’06 is the best way to reach the right decisions for your business.