Durst will be demonstrating their new, unique White Ink Feature on their stand, Hall 4 stand number B55 at Drupa.

CMYKW ≠ this is not a printing error but the range of colours that the new Durst Rho 160W Plus is capable of printing, which now includes white.

Launched just over two years ago, the Rho 160 direct to media inkjet printer has proven to be a great success in the marketplace with over 100 units operating around the world. The latest version, the Rho 160 Plus has many new features including an increase in output up to 80m2 per hour and now, the white ink feature. One important benefit is that the addition of the white ink capability does not slow the printing speed.

The white ink feature allows users to create a white background, ideal for coloured and clear media. There are four operator selected functions for the white ink feature:

White as a background ≠ ideal for printing a neutral surround on transparent material, for example.

White as a spot colour ≠ used for printing text or a logo, for instance.

White as a filler ≠ can be used for creating a neutral background for the non-opaque gaps within an image.

White as an underlay ≠ has the ability to neutralise a coloured medium or to create more impact for an image especially on transparent material.

Until now it was only screen printers who were able capitalise on the ability of being able to print white as a colour. Printing white as a fifth colour opens up fantastic possibilities, especially for printing on transparent material.

These include creating exciting graphics, logos or even photographic images by printing white as an underlay, as a spot colour or as a background colour.

Durst had to solve several problems before the fifth colour could be incorporated into the printing process, one of which was in the drying of the ink.

Dr Richard Piock, CEO of Durst Phototechnik AG explains: ≥The printing heads used have been specially designed with the collaboration of the manufacturer, Spectra. The white ink, which is also an exclusive development for Durst, has its own inking system. This is because the titanium oxide pigments have different properties to other UV-hardening inks and would clog up both the conventional heads and the lines. The solution is a device that pumps the white ink though the ink feeds and stir the pigments thus preventing blockages.

In keeping with the Durst philosophy of designing products that can be upgraded, the white ink feature will soon be made available for owners of the Rho 160 Plus and the Rho 205/8.