Arcdeco UV 120 UV-Curing Offset Ink for Metal Sheet
A free-radical UV-curing lithographic ink series for tinplate, tin-free steel and aluminium sheet, cured by medium-pressure mercury lamps between units or at the end of the press. The ink is dry at delivery, so the sheet can be stacked, overprinted or varnished without an ink oven pass.
Grade Arcdeco UV 120 | Range Metal Decorating Inks | Technology Free-radical UV-curing lithographic paste ink, acrylate oligomers and monomers with photoinitiators, no solvent or water carrier
Technical Data Sheet
Arcdeco UV 120
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
A free-radical UV-curing lithographic ink series for tinplate, tin-free steel and aluminium sheet, cured by medium-pressure mercury lamps between units or at the end of the press. Because the ink is dry at delivery, the sheet can be stacked, overprinted or varnished without an ink oven pass, and it can be printed after the internal lacquer has been stoved. The risks are loss of adhesion after a later thermal bake or retort, and set-off of uncured material onto the internal lacquer of the next sheet if the dose is short. It is used over Arccan SF 120, under a UV varnish or under Arccan SF 230 stoved over the cured ink.
2. Features
- Cured between units or at the end of the press, with no ink oven pass
- Can be printed after the internal lacquer has been stoved
- Specified for adhesion through later thermal bakes and retort
- Cure dose confirmed on the line against set-off onto the internal lacquer of the next sheet
- Used over Arccan SF 120, under a UV varnish or under Arccan SF 230 stoved over the cured ink
3. Recommended uses
Decoration of sheet for general line cans, ends, closures and promotional tins. It is not offered for drawn and redrawn cans, where Arcdeco SO 350 applies.
Substrates. Tinplate, tin-free steel and aluminium sheet over a cured size or white base, for general line cans, ends, closures and promotional tins. It is not offered for drawn and redrawn cans, where Arcdeco SO 350 applies.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Free-radical UV-curing lithographic paste ink, acrylate oligomers and monomers with photoinitiators, no solvent or water carrier | Formulation |
| Form and colour range | Paste ink in process and spot colours, matched to an approved standard | Visual |
| Composition | Acrylate oligomers and monomers with a photoinitiator package for medium-pressure mercury lamps; no solvent or water carrier; 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 press and graded down the colour sequence for wet trapping | 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 |
| UV cure dose | Set against the customer's line and coating stack for medium-pressure mercury lamps, read on one named radiometer and band; readings from different radiometers are not compared | Radiometer matched to the lamp spectrum, with cure confirmed by solvent rub and tape adhesion |
| Cure state of the ink and varnish stack | No breakthrough to the basecoat at the solvent and double-rub count agreed for the system | ASTM D5402, with the solvent and rub count agreed |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Typical values, not a specification. Values for each batch are given on its Certificate of Analysis.
5. Application
| Parameter | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Application method | Wet offset on a sheet-fed press with interdeck or end-of-press curing by medium-pressure mercury lamps. |
| Surface preparation | Print over a cured size or white base, typically Arccan SF 120, clean and free of dust. |
| Press preparation | EPDM or mixed-mode rollers and blankets are needed. Supplied ready for press. |
| Dry ink film weight | About 0.5 to 2.0 g/m2 dry per colour, set by colour, coverage and press and confirmed at trial. |
| Cure check | Dose confirmed on the line by radiometer, solvent rub and tape adhesion before the sheet is stacked, so that no uncured material sets off onto the next sheet. |
| Overcoat | A UV varnish, or a thermal varnish such as Arccan SF 230 stoved in a wicket oven over the cured ink. |
| Qualification | A line trial through every later bake is required before approval. |
Process. Wet offset with interdeck or end-of-press UV curing at a dose confirmed on the line by radiometer, solvent rub and tape adhesion, then a UV varnish or a thermal varnish stoved in a wicket oven. EPDM or mixed-mode rollers and blankets are needed, and a line trial through every later bake is required.
6. Storage and handling
Store in the original closed opaque containers away from daylight, UV sources and heat, keep lids closed between uses, do not mix with conventional inks or wash-up, and do not return ink from the press to fresh stock. 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.