Arcdeco BV 260 Process Colour Set for Beverage Can Decorators
A four-colour process set, with matched spot colours, for halftone work on the beverage can decorator, formulated for high colour strength at a thin film so that fine screens hold without filling in. Separations are made for dry offset, with dot overlap limited to control back-trapping on the common blanket.
Grade Arcdeco BV 260 | Range Metal Decorating Inks | Technology Thermally cured dry-offset paste ink at high pigment strength, thermosetting resin vehicle in high-boiling ink oil
Technical Data Sheet
Arcdeco BV 260
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
A four-colour process set, with matched spot colours, for halftone work on the can decorator, formulated for high colour strength at a thin film so that fine screens hold without filling in. On a common blanket each plate lays its image beside the others before transfer, and where images overlap the following plate can lift wet ink back off the blanket, so dot overlap is limited and separations are made for dry offset rather than taken from sheet-fed files. Mis-specified, the set shows back-trapping, contaminated inking trains and a colour balance that drifts over the run. It is used with Arccan EX 150 and Arccan EX 260.
2. Features
- High colour strength at a thin film, so fine screens hold without filling in
- Matched spot colours alongside the four-colour process set
- Separations made for dry offset with a limited, agreed dot overlap, which keeps back-trapping and contamination of the inking trains in check
- Colour balance held over the run
- Used with Arccan EX 150 and Arccan EX 260
3. Recommended uses
Halftone and process decoration of two-piece beverage cans in aluminium and steel, usually over a white basecoat, or over bare aluminium where the design accepts a metallic cast.
Substrates. Aluminium and steel two-piece bodies over a white basecoat, the usual ground for process work, or over bare aluminium where the design accepts a metallic cast.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Thermally cured dry-offset paste ink at high pigment strength, thermosetting resin vehicle in high-boiling ink oil | Formulation |
| Form and colour range | Paste ink; four-colour process set with matched spot colours | Visual |
| Composition | Thermosetting resin vehicle in high-boiling ink oil, at high pigment strength; formulated without PTFE wax | Supplier formulation record, declared not tested |
| Tack | Stated per colour on a named instrument, speed and roller temperature, set against the customer's decorator or printer | ISO 12634, rotary tackmeter; readings compared only on the same instrument type, roller temperature and speed |
| Viscosity at 25 degrees C | 20 to 120 Pa.s, with yield value reported; stated per colour on the Certificate of Analysis | ISO 12644, falling rod viscometer |
| Fineness of grind | 5 micrometres or finer | ISO 1524 |
| Dry ink film weight per colour | About 0.5 to 1.2 g/m2, in the lower part of the range, set by colour and coverage and confirmed at trial | Gravimetric weight difference on printed bodies or panels, in-house |
| Colour against the approved standard | ΔE00 1.0 to 2.0, agreed by colour and measured on the customer's own basecoat or metal | Measurement to ISO 13655, colour difference by CIEDE2000 to ISO/CIE 11664-6, against a signed standard on the production substrate |
| Colour and adhesion through later bakes | Colour shift within the agreed tolerance, typically ΔE00 1.0 to 2.0, and cross-cut 0 to 1, after one to three further bakes at the line's schedule | Printed panels over-baked in-house, measured to ISO 13655 and ISO/CIE 11664-6, adhesion to ISO 2409 |
| Pasteurisation resistance | No blush, softening, colour change or loss of adhesion after the declared cycle, commonly 20 to 60 min in water at 60 to 85 degrees C | Customer or can-maker protocol on processed cans or panels, followed by tape adhesion to ISO 2409 |
Typical values, not a specification. Values for each batch are given on its Certificate of Analysis.
5. Application
| Parameter | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Application method | Dry offset on a can decorator with high-definition relief plates. |
| Prepress | Screen ruling, dot overlap and colour sequence are agreed with the customer's prepress before plates are made. Separations are made for dry offset, not taken from sheet-fed files. |
| Surface preparation | Print over Arccan EX 150 white basecoat, the usual ground for process work, or over bare aluminium where a metallic cast is accepted. |
| Dry ink film weight | About 0.5 to 1.2 g/m2 dry per colour, confirmed at trial. |
| Overcoat | Overprint varnish, Arccan EX 260, applied wet over the ink. |
| Cure schedule | Pin-oven set at about 185 to 200 degrees C peak metal temperature to the schedule of the overprint varnish, with the cure completed in the internal bake oven. |
| Qualification | A press trial is required before approval. |
Process. Dry offset on a decorator with high-definition relief plates, followed by wet overprint varnish, pin-oven set and internal bake oven cure. Screen ruling, dot overlap and colour sequence are agreed with the customer’s prepress before plates are made, and a press trial is required.
6. Storage and handling
Store in the original closed containers in a cool, dry place away from direct sun and sources of heat, and keep lids closed between uses to limit skinning. Shelf life is stated on the label and Certificate of Analysis. Handle and use the product in line with its Safety Data Sheet.
7. Safety and regulatory information
Read the Safety Data Sheet before use. Safety Data Sheets and regulatory declarations are issued by our technical centre against the product and batch supplied, so they are sent on request rather than published. Request a Safety Data Sheet or declaration.
This Technical Data Sheet is published for on-screen reference. The information is given in good faith from laboratory and application experience and describes typical values; it is not a specification and does not replace a trial on your own substrate and line. Arctic Materials may revise this sheet without notice. Issue 2026.09.
Technical Data Sheets on this site are for on-screen viewing. For a controlled copy, write to tech@arcticmaterials.com.
Other grades in this range
Need a Safety Data Sheet, a regulatory declaration or a grade specified to your line? Contact our technical centre.