What is it and when was it launched?
Launched by Sun Chemical on 3 September this year, SunLit Crystal is a four-colour inkset touted as an ‘all-in-one’ ink system for sheetfed offset printing. In other words, according to Bernhard Fritz, Sun Chemical’s product manager for offset systems Europe, the set is a "good all- rounder". Fritz says that SunLit Crystal is expected to become "the standard product" from Sun Chemical for sheetfed offset printing.

What does it do?
SunLit Crystal is designed for use on perfecting or non-perfecting presses and, according to Sun Chemical, is particularly efficient where pumping stations serve more than one press and where jobs are changed regularly.

The ink’s composition is based on between 75% and 82% organic vegetable-based renewable raw materials, depending on its colour and therefore pigment content, and is also fully aligned with the measures of the offset litho standard ISO 12647-2. This composition has been independently tested and certified by the US National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers, which has given it a Bio-Renewable Content Index rating of 80.

According to Fritz, the SunLit Crystal ink formulation has been modified so that it is less easily absorbed and stays on the surface of the paper, which creates a smoother and glossier finish. He says: "This is what helps to make the colours and effect so vibrant. The results are particularly attractive with glossy inks applied to matt paper."

The company claims that SunLit Crystal  is designed to produce vibrant, high-gloss and high-contrast results with or without the use of an overprinted coating. "The driving force for the development of this was a need for high-visual-impact inks for brochures, magazines, four-colour book printing and catalogues where the visual impression is key," explains Fritz.

Who is it aimed at?
Sun Chemical is targeting commercial and packaging printers who work with a broad range of paper varieties and stocks. Fritz says that SunLit Crystal’s beta testers, using a broad range of substrates and sheetfed systems, have reported its "excellent lithographic performance" and that there has been particular interest from printers in Brazil, Turkey and Asia. "This really can be used on any paper and board substrate used in packaging and commercial printing, and we expect a lot of interest from buyers in the emerging markets," he adds.

What is its USP?
Sun Chemical claims that its new ink offers higher gloss, better contrast and better drying characteristics than most other products on the market.

And Fritz adds that SunLit Crystal’s "truly unique quality" is its suitability for use with a broad range of substrates and systems. "I don’t believe this can be matched by the competition. This ink covers all major aspects that a printer needs from an offset sheetfed ink. It is well balanced, has a beautiful gloss and produces excellent optical properties," he claims.

How easy is it to use?
The inks can be pumped from their containers and are available in 1kg and 2.5kg vacuum-packed tins, 2kg cartridges and 200kg drums.

According to the manufacturer, SunLit Crystal is faster on ‘work-and-turn’ jobs than most standard printing inks and has very good mechanical and rub resistance, even where no coating is applied.

How much does it cost?
Sun Chemical would not reveal costing for SunLit Crystal, but says: "Customers benefit from tailored prices that maximise the cost-benefit relationship. This is dependent on a number of factors, including volume, product, geography and so on."