InkTec Profile

Printing technology has come a long, long way since then and as well as making traditional digital inks, InkTec are now also producing high-tech Nano-silver and Electronic inks in their purpose built 2nd Factory. Both ink types are used in products such as smart phones and LCD televisions. These emerging applications and new markets are an area of rapid growth for InkTec and are in-line with the company motto, ‘Today’s technology is never good enough for us’.

WIDE FORMAT INKS….
Today the core business remains with the manufacture and supply of water-based inks for Desktop and Large Format Printers. Through the past sale of these items InkTec have seen their annual turnover increase to over 50m USD and their workforce has grown to 240 staff in South Korea alone. They are supplying their products to 120 different Countries worldwide through their distribution network. Here in the UK the products are distributed by InkTec Europe and their team of resellers, to print companies the length and breadth of the British Isles.
One of the first UK users of InkTec ink in the large format sector was MG Graphics, who is a sign-maker based in Oxfordshire. Owner, Martin Goodyear said: ‘I have been using InkTec solvent inks on my Mimaki JV3 printer for over 4 years now and am very happy with the results. However, I must admit to being a little sceptical at first when changing over from the OEM inks but once I’d made the change and printed my first job, my mind was at ease. The colours are vibrant and the durability is excellent. The savings I have made over the years must run into several thousand pounds.’
The market trend in the UK is now shifting and more and more end-users are exploring the options of alternative inks for their large format printers. Incidentally, you may be interested to know that in South Korea there is virtually no market for OEM inks, or in other words, the wide-format market is driven by alternative inks. For example; if a printing company was approached to buy a printer that was ‘locked in’ to one type of ink, either through a chipped cartridge or through the risk of invalidating the printer warranty (a dubious practice in itself), then it’s extremely likely they would choose another piece of equipment. For this reason, most of the printers that are sold in South Korea don’t have chipped systems like we have here in the UK and most of Europe. That’s why it’s so important for any company offering or using alternative inks to ensure they have a suitable product and a knowledgeable and supportive supplier. Of course, there are not-so-good alternative inks as well as good ones and to a certain degree you do get what you pay for. The cheapest is not always the best option as with many other everyday items. InkTec are under no illusions that the UK market is a tough nut to crack but with the benefit of good products, combined with technical know-how and strong customer service, they will give themselves every chance.
2011 see’s the introduction of InkTec’s own range of UV Flatbed Printers called the Jetrix. This printer comes with the motto, ‘Simple & Perfect’ and that is just what Jetrix is designed to be. Around 5 years ago some boffins at InkTec saw a gap in the market for a new UV Flatbed Printer, so rather than go down the common route of sourcing and re-branding an existing model of printer, they decided to design and build their own machine, to their exact specification, using a team of specialist designers and engineers. Three years later the Jetrix was born and 2011 sees the UK debut at Sign and Digital expo in April. On show will be the Jetrix model 2513FRQ which features a robust flatbed, perfect roll to roll system, strong vacuum with high quality and variable droplet technology.
Senecio Digital, a fine art printing and publishing company, has recently taken delivery of their Jetrix printer after seeing the machine in Germany earlier this year. Managing Director, Adrian Lack says: ‘The Jetrix is so versatile with the various options available, like the white ink, primer and varnish as well as the roll-to-roll option, that it was really a simple choice once we’d seen the quality of the print. It now gives us the flexibility to do so much more than we have previously have been able to on our conventional digital printers. We also feel comfortable knowing that the machine manufacturer is also the ink maker and therefore has complete control over the quality and the price of the ink’. InkTec see the UV Flat-bed market as a rapid growth area over the next few years and aim for the Jetrix to be the number one printer in its class.

For further information please visit www.inktec.com
or www.jetrix.co.kr
or give InkTec Europe a call on 01993 862 770.