B
BIS
Bulk ink system, is an add-on system to facilitate longer print run requirements and to improve cost effectiveness. Refer to our NUbis solutions.
C
CISS
Continuous ink supply system, enables continuous printing even while topping up or adding a new supply container. NUtec’s NUbis system is a prime example of this.
CMYK
CMYK refers to the four inks used in some colour printing: cyan(C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and key (K = black). The CMYK colour model (process colour, four colour) is a subtractive colour model, used in colour printing, and is also used to describe the printing process itself.
Colour Management
The overall process to setup colour profiling and ink limits for optimal results on specific substrates, from capturing of the image to output on the printing device.
Colour Profiling
This is a process which is used to ensure colour accuracy between multiple printers.
Curing
Curing is a term in polymer chemistry and process engineering that refers to the toughening or hardening of a polymer material by cross-linking of polymer chains, brought about by electron beams, heat, or chemical additives. When the additives are activated by ultraviolet radiation, the process is called UV Cure.
D
Delta-E
Unit of measurement of the perceivable difference in a colour by the human eye. Various models exist to describe it more accurately such as, inter alia, Delta-E94 and CMC2:1.
Digital Printer
Printing device that translates digital data into hard copy output.
DOD
Drop-on-demand.
Dot Gain
The effect that is described when individual dots in a halftone screen or other such patterns print out larger than their intended size, resulting in a darkening of the image.
Dots per Inch (DPI)
Measurement that describes the resolution of image files by measuring the number of separate pixels (dots) represented either horizontally or vertically in one square inch.
Dye
Coloured chemical that dissolves completely in water or other solvent; as opposed to pigments, which are insoluble.
Dye Sublimation
Colour printing technology that produces images by sublimating dispersed dye into a gas dye through a thermal transfer method at high temperature.
E
Eco-Solvent inks
Eco solvent inks is a family of low smell/odour pigmented solvent inks.
ERP
Environment Responsible Product (ERP) is a NUtec tradename for its HAPs-free ink range.
Expanded Gamut colour
When additional colours, usually green and orange, are printed with CMYK to match a greater number of colours than produced by CMYK alone.
F
Flatbed Printing
Printer designed specifically to print onto large flat surfaces often with rigid substrates.
Flush
When changing ink types on a printer, it is necessary to flush the old ink out of the machine and printheads. A flush is a cleaning solution manufactured for this purpose.
G
Flatbed Printing
The range of colours that can be interpreted by a colour model or generated by a specific device.
GBL
A gamma-Butyrolactone hygroscopic colourless liquid with a weak characteristic odour and foul taste. Soluble in water, GBL is a common solvent and reagent in chemistry as well as being used as a flavouring, as a cleaning solvent, as a superglue remover, and as a solvent in some wet aluminium electrolytic capacitors.
GREENGUARD
Independent certification for testing against some of the world’s most demanding chemical emissions standards, intended to reduce indoor air pollution and the risk of chemical exposure. The GREENGUARD Gold certification standard is the highest level achievable.
H
HAP
Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), also known as toxic air pollutants or air toxics, are those pollutants that cause or may cause cancer or other serious health effects, such as reproductive effects or birth defects, or adverse environmental and ecological effects.
Hybrid ink
An ink that can be used for both roll-to-roll printing on flexible media as well as for printing on rigid media/substrates.
I
ICC Profile
International Color Consortium (ICC) profile refers to the group of files generated through colour profiling or colour management. It is a method to correct the colour output based on the image capturing and printing device errors.
Inkjet
Printing process where liquid ink is propelled at a substrate, such as paper or film, to form characters and graphics. There are three kinds of inkjet printing: thermal, piezoelectric and phase change.
L
LED
Light-emitting Diode, this is an electronic light source based on a two-lead semiconductor.
Light Magenta/Light Cyan (Lm-Lc)
Muted or diluted forms of the two primary process colours. When added to CMYK these shades produce more variety in dot colour and natural continuous tone printing resulting in an improved perceived resolution.
LFP
Large format printer
M
MEMS
Microelectromechanical systems, this is the process and technology behind the manufacturing of Thermal and Piezoelectric printheads.
Mercury-vapour
UV light source for curing platforms based on gas discharge lamps.
N
Nanometer (Nm)
The measurement of electromagnetic wavelengths. Unit of length equal to 10E-9 meters, or one millionth of a millimetre. This is usually related to the UV LED system used in printing machines.
NVC
The monomer N-vinyl caprolactam (NVC) has been toxicologically re-classified according to the European Chemicals Regulation REACH. The monomer is used as a reactive diluent in UV-curing varnishes, printing inks and adhesives as well as a syntheses building block for paper coatings. Due to its low volatility NVC was even used as an alternative substance to replace N-vinyl pyrrolidone for reasons of better health protection.
O
OEKO-TEX Eco Passport
An independent certification system for chemicals, colourants and auxiliaries used in the textile industry, ensuring that each individual component meets statutory requirements and is not harmful to human health.
OEM
Original Equipment Manufacturer
P
pH
A value that expresses the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a solution
Piezo Inkjet
Inkjet printing process that uses electric pulses from piezoelectric crystals to stimulate and force ink through inkjet nozzles onto substrates.
Piezoelectric DOD
Piezoelectric crystal control droplet on demand printing.
Pigment
Colourant that cannot be dissolved in a liquid. In inks, produces sharper, darker images on a wider range of plain papers.
R
REACH
The objective of the European Chemicals Regulation REACH is to ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment. The acronym “REACH” refers to the English title of the regulation: Regulation concerning the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals.
RFID
Radio-frequency identification (RFID): uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. The tags contain electronically-stored information.
RIP Software
RIP Software, is Raster Image Processing software. This converts digital computer files into machine code which a specific printer and print engine can interpret and produce into a printed product.
RoHS
Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS): Also known as Directive 2002/95/EC, originated in the European Union and restricts the use of specific hazardous materials found in electrical and electronic products.
Roll to roll printing
Any process of applying coatings, printing, or performing other processes starting with a roll of a flexible material and re-reeling after the process to create an output roll.
S
SDS
Safety data sheet: a widely used system for cataloging information on chemicals, chemical compounds, and chemical mixtures. SDS information may include instructions for the safe use and potential hazards associated with a particular material or product. The SDS should be available for reference in the area where the chemicals are being stored or in use. There is also a duty to properly label substances on the basis of physico-chemical, health or environmental risk. Labels can include hazard symbols such as the European Union standard symbols. A SDS for a substance is not primarily intended for use by the general consumer, focusing instead on the hazards of working with the material in an occupational setting.
Sequence
The order in which inks are deposited by a printing device. In CMYK inkjets the sequence is yellow, magenta, cyan and black.
Shelf-life
Shelf life defines the usable period of the product, beyond which the performance cannot be guaranteed to be within specifications, or that damage will not occur to printing presses.
Solvent ink
Ink in which the pigment is dispersed in an organic solvent.
Spectral Curve
A visual representation of a colour’s spectral data as the colour’s “fingerprint”. A spectral curve is plotted on a grid comprised of a vertical axis of the level of reflectance intensity, and a horizontal axis describing the visible spectrum of wavelengths. The percentage of reflected light at each interval is plotted as points on a curve.
Spectral Data
The most precise description of the colour of an object. Since an object’s colour appearance results from light being changed by it and reflected to the viewer, spectral data describes how that reflected light was changed. The percentage of reflected light is measured at several intervals across its spectrum of wavelengths, which is then visually represented as a spectral curve.
Storage Fluid
Special fluid designed to have a very slow evaporation to keep ink delivery systems in a wet state. Printheads are often shipped with such fluids in them to preverve the status of the nozzles.
Surface Tension
The forces of cohesion at the surface of a liquid which encourage the tendency of a liquid to reduce its exposed surface to the minimum area. Molecules within a liquid are attracted equally from all sides, but those near the surface experience unequal attractions and are thus drawn towards the centre of the liquid mass by this net force.
T
TDS
Technical data sheet: a document that summarizes the performance and other technical characteristics of a product.
Thermal DOD
Thermal inkjet controlled drop on demand printing.
U
UV-cured
Ultraviolet-cured (commonly known as UV-cured) is a photochemical process in which high-intensity ultraviolet light is used to instantly cure or “dry” inks, coatings or adhesives.
V
Viscosity
The internal resistance to flow exhibited by a fluid.
W
Water-based ink
Ink in which water is used as the primary base to carry the pigments, dispersed pigments or dyes, resins and additives.
