July/August 2005 Living Now
Eco-friendly and Beautiful

by New Connexion’s new printer explains its UV process

What does every print buyer want? Better quality, lower price, faster turn around, excellent service. That’s what we all want and it has been that way for years. So, there’s nothing new about that- or is there?

With today’s slowing economy the need to improve print products overall while maintaining costs, service and turn around times is more prevalent than ever. We hear from publishers every day that their advertising clients want brighter, more vivid colors, better paper- they want it faster – cheaper - better. This growing market demand combined with an age old commitment to meet print buyers’ needs, fueled Eagle Web Press’s search for a solution.

In the spring of 2004, Eagle Web Press (EWP) installed UV lamps on their press allowing production of quality process color work on coated paper stocks from a cold set web press. This cutting edge technology is not exactly new- UV printing has been around for years, but until recently was not available to coldset web printers. EWP was one of the first cold web press companies to utilize this technology.

The end product of this technology is startling. "Our jaws literally dropped when we first saw the results", said Eagle Web Press General Manager, Michael Gehring. "I would have never believed that our equipment could produce such beautiful work on coated paper."

The UV process relies on special inks that have photo initiators in them that when exposed to UV light, spurs a chain reaction that forms a solid, dry continuous ink, yielding bright, vivid colors and deep rich blacks. We are very pleased with the success to date and anticipate an ever growing increase in demand of UV printed products.

Ed Sanders, Editor in chief and CEO of Hospitality News/Coffee Talk, who has been printing with EWP for the past 18 years says, "This is a very timely addition for us in strengthening our presentation as a national publication. All too often much is taken for granted without recognizing a company’s commitment to its customers by consistently reinvesting in technology and equipment advancements."

Current paper stocks now available for this process at Eagle Web Press include 32# and 35# calendared stocks; 43# number 5 ground wood stocks, and 50#, 60# and 70# gloss book stocks. We have also achieved great results using the UV process on paper stocks traditionally reserved for cold web printing like the family of hi-brite stocks, uncoated book stocks and opaque book stocks. Not only does this process produce colors that jump off the page, it eliminates the possibility of offsetting.

The UV Printing process is environment friendly. A traditional heat set press emits volatile organic compounds into the air and uses high energy cost ovens and dryers to cure the inks. General Manager, Michael Gehring explains, "The number one opportunity for us to optimize our effect on the environment is conversion to UV inks. With no solvents, there are no VOCs, resulting in a better environment for all of us."

Eagle Web Press has identified opportunities in the recycling of plastics, paper, solvents and aluminum. Our company recognized long ago that with the continued growth of the company came increased responsibilities to the "global" community. We have a demonstrated history of pursuing the use of "green" technologies. The goal is to conserve and save the environment. This commitment will continue in the coming generations. UV printing is the next step in that pursuit.

To learn more about how this new technology can help meet your printing needs, contact the sales staff of Eagle Web Press. www.eaglewebpress.com (800) 800-7980.