The purchase of inks makes up less than 5% of most job costs. However the benfits of an organised approach to ink management are numerous. It can impact on almost all areas of your business – either directly or indirectly – from process control and monitoring of the ink, through to cleanliness and efficiency on the print floor.

Our approach to inkroom management is focused upon maximising these benefits through the provision of a selected package of equipment, through training of key staff and supply of absolutely consistent base inks.

The package will be selected from;

• A proofing unit that offers quick, repeatable and highly accurate proofing and colour-matching of all types of
ink and varnishes.

• A conveyor UV curing unit that is a versatile, high intensity system designed for use at a workstation or other
bench surface.

• A light cabinet that has been developed for the visual assessment of colour in accordance with British Standards 950: Part 1 and ISO3664 International Standards.

• A spectrophotometer that is a precise colour measurement instrument and can assist control colour through all phases of colour matching through to production assessment.

• A computerised Ink Management System that enables the printer to blend the exact amount of ink required – precisely when it is needed. The system is supported by a remote link to Intercolor’s colour matching laboratories.

• An automated ink dispenser system that will guarantee batch-to-batch, job-to-job repeatability. It eliminates the need for further quality control checks, cost
re-formulations and human errors.

• A unique shaker mixer that ensures through mixing of ink whilst maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in the inkroom.

At the heart of the Intercolor system lie a range of highly pigmented base colours with exceptional batch-to-batch consistency. The base range is controlled by an accurate database from which a precise and comprehensive list of Pantone and bespoke formulations can be easily generated.

This is all supported by thorough training of your key staff followed by ongoing support from our application specialists.

It is important when making a commitment to quality and process improvement that the correct type of equipment, support and tools are available to the inkroom. The package selected will depend upon your requirements and will offer the following benefits;

INK STOCK REDUCTION & USE OF RETURNS
The introduction of an ink Management system will immediately prevent over-ordering of pre-blended inks. Reworking of returns minimises the use of fresh product. This means a reduction in ink ordered, waste ink and any costs associated with disposal of ink.

ON-SHADE COLOUR REPEATABILITY
Accurate colour management reduces the potential of shade differences from job to job. The proofing system allows the preparation of pre-production prints for your customer and can be used to accurately check ink before it is issued to press.

JUST-IN-TIME, RIGHT-FIRST-TIME
A batch of ink can be available in 4-5 minutes from start to finish. This ensures, in cases of production changes, that no product is wasted or over stocked and provides the flexibility to seamlessly accommodate urgent print runs.

A CLEANER, SAFER WORKPLACE
A well managed inkroom can change the area from a place to avoid to a showpiece, which will inspire confidence from your customer. A well organised and maintained inkroom can easily return any investment within 12 months.

ON-SHADE COLOUR REPEATABILITY
Through our experience and attention to detail, we have brought inkroom management into the twenty-first century to the benefit of our customers. Call Intercolor directly and we will arrange for one of our specialists to explain how the systems can benefit you and your business.