CMA brings nano tech to proofing and prototyping

CMA Imaging has developed a new ‘ecosystem’ for digital proofing and prototyping onto a vast range of materials.

Its Colorpack system combines CMA’s colour know-how and extended gamut ink set with software, hardware and nano-technology coatings.

A special material developed by CMA head of inkjet Pierre Brugger has a 25-micron inkjet receptive thermal layer that can be applied to the actual stock that will be used for the end product, including clear films, in-mould labels, corrugated board, carton board, and very thin substrates such as foils. The thinness of the layer means the texture of the substrate is retained.

“We can make a proof that matches the press output, and the press output will match the proof,” said CMA chief revenue officer Mark Sanderson.

Brugger described the material as “unique”.

“The release layer is designed to capture more ink in order to be able to match and proof spot colours and very high density colours,” he said.

At Fespa the firm is showing samples of its proofs alongside a raft of original FMCG products to show the system’s capabilities.  

Colorpack is already being used by a large multi-national packaging group, French luxury packaging specialists, and metal decorators.

Also on show at Fespa is a brand new proofing paper ‘Pantone Colorpack by CMA Imaging’. The 235gsm paper has a Pantone watermark on the reverse.

Brugger said it had the highest white point of any proofing paper on the market, with an L* value of 97.1.

“With this paper you can match any offset paper in the US and Europe,” he stated, and said that a nano technology layer allowed the paper to absorb more ink. “This results in more saturated colours so we can achieve spot colour rendition and match 99.7% of the Pantone colour palette.”

Sanderson said the new paper would work with aqueous printers such as the Epson devices commonly used for proofing. He said pricing would be “in line with premium proofing media.”

CMA Imaging is on stands 5.2-D27 and 5.2-C24 at Fespa.