InlineFoiler Prindor

Inline for More Value The ROLAND InlineFoiler is a fine example of Value Added Printing - uniting the highest brilliance with optimized inline production processes. As opposed to the established hot-foil embossing method no second production step is needed for inline cold foil transfer and the material is not subjected to heat. This is how the highest quality can be combined with economic efficiency.

Two printing units are required: in the first printing unit the areas of the substrate where foil is to be applied are printed with a special adhesive ink via the inking roller system using a conventional offset printing plate. This adhesive ink is coloured so that the amount applied can be objectively measured with the aid of a densitometer.

In the second printing unit above which the foil unwinding station is mounted, the blanket cylinder presses the foil onto the areas of the sheet covered with the adhesive ink. The unused foil remains on the carrier layer which is rewound by the rewinding station above the third printing unit. In this printing unit and subsequent ones the substrate and foil can be printed.

Overprinting enables interesting effects to be achieved through the combination of foil and different coloured inks. This is a unique and patented process. One major advantage of cold foil transfer is the fast changeover between foil transfer and normal printing. Experience shows this only takes around 30 minutes

Inline coating module technology is based on 30 years of experience. Initially the focus was on the protective function of dispersion coating but gloss effects rapidly became very important.

This was followed by gold and silver applications made possible by double coating modules using anilox roller/chambered doctor blade technology. And then the possibilities were expanded even further by the increasing use of UV inks and coatings along with the enormous progress made in application technologies and materials.

The best configuration for inline cold foil transfer is the ROLAND 700 with six printing units and a coating module. This permits cold foil transfer plus four-color printing and coating, or the press can be used for normal six-colour printing with inline coating.

Outstanding quality The quality achievable with this foil transfer method is very impressive - and this with normal temperatures and above all it is an inline process!

Provided all parameters - foil, substrate, adhesive ink and the subject are well coordinated, even large solid areas of foil can be transferred in outstanding quality at high printing speeds. The ROLAND InlineFoiler is also predestined for very delicate foil elements that are often found on labels or high-grade packaging because it works without the high temperatures associated with hot-foil stamping that often cause register problems.

Thanks to its particularly high resolution capability the ROLANDInlineFoiler opens up completely new dimensions in design and quality. This applies to the finest typefaces as well as special design elements like the finest lines or screen dots.

The ROLAND InlineFoiler can process many different types of foil: from gold or silver effects, through special patterns, right up to Iriodin effects - virtually any results one can wish for are possible.

Economical production Practical experience gained so far shows that, with many enhanced print products, cold foil transfer with ROLAND InlineFoiler is not only technically superior but also more economical than conventional hot-foil stamping.

There are many reasons why:

• The investment costs for a ROLAND InlineFoiler system are lower than those for hotfoil stamping equipment.
• Negligible "tool" costs: elaborate tools like hot stamping dies are not needed; the cold foil transfer tool is a completely normal printing plate.
• Fast reaction to market demands because new printing forms (plates) can be made easily, quickly and inexpensively. Much shorter makeready times.
• Lower energy costs.
• Less manpower needed: the ROLAND InlineFoiler is generally operated by the press crew. There is no need for additional staff to operate a hot-foil stamping machine.

Cold foil enhancement gives printers outstanding opportunities to approach new customers. Compared to conventionally enhanced print products this process can be much more profitable.