Arcoflex UV Narrow-Web Label Inks

Narrow-web label printing runs short jobs with frequent changeovers and demands immediate converting: die-cutting, laminating and rewinding happen inline, seconds after printing. UV curing is what makes that possible — the ink is a liquid until it passes the lamp and a fully cross-linked solid immediately after.

Arcoflex UV is formulated for high pigment strength and sharp dot reproduction at the fine anilox volumes narrow-web presses run, with a cure response matched to both mercury-arc and UV-LED lamp systems.

• Instant cure — inline die-cutting and rewinding with no drying time
• No solvent and no water: nothing evaporates, so no VOC emission
• High gloss and excellent dot sharpness on filmic stock
• Strong chemical and scuff resistance once fully cured
• Cure response matched to mercury-arc and UV-LED systems
• Stable on press through long runs and frequent stops

Arcoflex UV is intended for self-adhesive labels on narrow-web flexo presses — food and beverage, personal care, household chemical and logistics labels — on both paper and filmic stock, including inline lamination and cold-foil work.

Arcoflex UV is not suitable for:

• direct food-contact applications
• any use where full cure cannot be verified — undercured ink migrates and causes odour
• sensitive food packaging without a low-migration assessment of the finished pack

Each substrate and structure must be evaluated for adhesion and end-use properties before commercial printing.

The figures below describe the typical operating window for this range. Confirmed values for a specific shade or batch are issued with the Technical Data Sheet and Certificate of Analysis by our laboratory.

Arcoflex UV is available as a finished ink range and as a concentrate system of pigment bases and technology varnishes for in-house dispensing. A full range of heavy-metal-free organic and inorganic colours is offered, together with opaque whites and a reducing medium.

Special shades, brand colours and Pantone® matches are formulated against a reference sample. Please contact us for the current Arcoflex UV shade card and product codes.

Standard pigments are not intended for prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. For outdoor or high-exposure applications, specify high-light-fastness pigments at the time of ordering.

Anilox and plates. The anilox cell volume is the primary control on ink film weight and colour strength — not impression pressure. Set a kiss impression, and open highlight dots with a plate-side bump curve rather than by increasing anilox volume. Confirm the anilox specification with our laboratory for each new job.

Curing. The ink cures by UV polymerisation, not evaporation. Lamp output must be measured with a radiometer and logged — output falls long before a lamp visibly fails, and undercure is the root cause of poor adhesion, odour and migration. Confirm the cure window for your lamp type, web speed and ink film weight before commercial production.

Handling. Uncured ink is a skin irritant. Avoid skin contact, use the PPE detailed in the Safety Data Sheet, and do not return contaminated ink to the original container.

Store in tightly sealed original containers between 10 °C and 25 °C, in the dark and away from all sources of UV light, daylight and heat, which initiate premature polymerisation. Do not store in transparent containers. Uncured UV ink is a skin and eye irritant — handle with the personal protective equipment detailed in the Safety Data Sheet and avoid all skin contact.

Waste disposal. Uncured material must not be discharged to drains. Dispose of in accordance with good industrial practice and all applicable regulations.

Formulated in accordance with the current CEPE / EuPIA guidelines and the EuPIA Exclusion Policy for printing inks and related products. The formulations exclude:

• substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR categories 1A and 1B) or as acutely toxic under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP);
• pigments based on compounds of antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium VI, lead, mercury and selenium;
• dyes, solvents, plasticisers and other materials listed in the Exclusion Policy. A copy of the supporting declaration is available on request.

All Arctic Materials products are designed with end-use safety built in and must not be mixed with products from other manufacturers.

Indirect food-contact applications. It is the responsibility of the food packer to ensure the packed food is safe, and of the converter and packer/filler to ensure that migration does not exceed applicable legal or industry limits. Under a mutual non-disclosure agreement, Arctic Materials will provide a Statement of Composition detailing any potentially migratable components in its products.

Technical Data Sheets, Safety Data Sheets, Statements of Composition and regulatory declarations for this range are issued by our technical department on request.

The Safety Data Sheet, Statement of Composition, EuPIA Exclusion Policy declaration and heavy-metal / regulatory declarations for this range are issued on request by our technical department, and the Statement of Composition is released under a mutual non-disclosure agreement.