The Colorsat Switch system at W&R Etiketten
W&R Etiketten from the Netherlands is the world’s first label printer to use a new ink dispenser designed for offset presses, for application on UV flexo presses. W&R developed this new system, the Colorsat Switch, in co-operation with Zeller+Gmelin and GSE Dispensing. The system records the colours and ensures the proof and the print are consistent in quality and ambience.
The system can be equipped with a maximum of 20 base components, conveniently stored on ‘waterfall frames’. This offers an easy way of storing and replacing buckets with base inks. The system includes pump units that keep the ink is in motion 24 hours a day. A spectrophotometer reads the desired Pantone colour, which is then directly put through to the computer. Test strips are printed on a special test printer. After agreement, the ink is automatically weighed, casted and stirred. The system dispenses a 5 kg recipe in less than four minutes. Traceability is ensured as a barcode labels each ink bucket.
Benefits of the new system include a shorter and more efficient test phase, offering savings on consumables, and the option to use up leftover inks. Most importantly is an improved customer experience, particularly for brand owners, where brand colours need to be matched.
