BioModified surfaces for digital printing appearance and tactility

Purpose and goal

The goal of the project was to examine whether bio-based materials can be used to create surfaces with improved properties for digital printing in terms of printability and tactile experience. The formulations used have given desired effects, performed experiments have shown improved tactile properties, less ´plastic´ feeling and visible improvements in the color space and line sharpness.

Expected results and effects

The result of the project is that it is possible to coat surfaces with bio-based ingredients to get improved properties for digital printing in terms of printability and tactile properties. Expected effects of this is that it is possible to modify substrate surfaces, especially for digital printing in smaller volumes. This provides significant cost advantages when it will not be needed special grades for digital printing, it will be possible to use conventional grades produced in large volumes.

Planned approach and implementation

The project has been performed with planning meetings with all project partners attending, physical and telephone meetings. Paperboard for the trials has been provided by Iggesund Paperboard. The coating trials and evaluation of printing properties as color space and line sharpness and tactile properties have been conducted at Innventia. The printing was carried out at Ricoh´s facilities.