All that glitters

[Sophie Matthews-Paul]

Sophie Matthews-Paul speculates on the news of the metallic ink just announced by Roland DG

News is filtering through that Roland DG UK is making a major announcement about the launch of a metallic option which sits in its Eco-Sol Max ink family, with Sign and Digital Ireland offering the first viewing. This new addition means that silver can be used in conjunction with the existing CMYK ink set to create a whole new range of finishes. These will bring far-reaching options to digital display producers wanting to add extra impact to jobs such as displays, labels, stickers, decals, banners, packaging prototypes and many other sign applications.

"Why silver?" is the main question I'm being asked. Working this out logically, the fact is that this new option can be used within the existing work-flow and colours to extend the possibilities available from within the standard palette. For example, mixing silver with yellow and magenta will give users different shades of gold. Adding it other to mixes will produce interesting and eye-catching elements, with all the additional gloss and glitter that metallics can offer.

Roland is keeping its new ink formulation a closely guarded secret but, suffice to say, this metallic option will open new doors to display producers and sign-makers who, hitherto, have had to use either thermal transfer printers or screen-printing to gain similar effects. The addition of silver in a solvent-based ink-jet machine, and a sensibly priced one at that, means that short-runs and one-offs won't carry heavy financial and time penalties for users wanting to spice up their jobs.