Xaar and Nazdar Ink Technologies collaborate to ‘Rewrite the Rulebook for aqueous inkjet printing - Update
Xaar’s collaboration with Nazdar was a celebrated highlight of drupa. Speaking at the global conference on June 3, Xaar’s Group R&D Director, Karl Forbes, presented how the latest inkjet technologies are rewriting the rulebook for aqueous printing as part of the show’s touchpoint textile forum.
The presentation explained how Xaar’s collaborative work with global ink developer and manufacturer Nazdar has enabled the creation of a unique high viscosity, pigmented water-based technology the HighV Aqua Series– that will deliver disruptive performance benefits in the Direct-to-Garment (DTG), corrugated and outer case printing sectors.
With a focus on DTG, breakthrough R&D chemists at Nazdar have produced a new fluid technology that can deliver clarity and high pigment loads with the use of innovative techniques and raw material selection. Vibrant, colour-rich textiles can now be achieved with vastly reduced ink usage and printhead passes while also reducing energy consumption in the drying process.
This technology has the capability to make water-based inkjet a viable option in a host of sectors. By reducing ink usage and energy consumption during drying, while simultaneously increasing production speed, water-based inkjet can become a mainstream production method.
"Bringing this to market is the result of a strong partnership with Xaar, and something we’re excited to finally share with the industry.”
Martin Burns, Nazdar OEM Business Development Manager.
Notably, Nazdar’s new HighV Aqua Series includes a high viscosity white ink, which when coupled with the TF Technology embedded within Xaar’s Aquinox printhead, provides customers with quality textile printing at an efficiency that was previously unmatched.
The higher pigment loading and reduced water content deliver significant savings in the time required for printing, as well as reductions in energy and material use. Overall, the speed of production can be more than doubled, making inkjet printing a greater reality for a much wider variety of decorative applications.
When speaking about the exhibition, Karl Forbes said,
“drupa is the perfect show for visitors to hear how Xaar’s inkjet technology is enabling the development of new fluids and providing access to the many potential benefits of digital printing. Aqueous inks containing high pigment loading and a lower ratio of water means, inkjet is now able to deliver the performance, sustainability and innovation demanded, rewriting the rulebook for textile printing and many other applications.”