Intec launches second-gen ColorFlare

Intec has unveiled its second-generation foiler and laminator, the ColorFlare CF1200.

Commercially available with immediate effect, the new machine can be used as an in-house decorative effects system for short-run, on-demand digital applications, as well as for laminating traditional litho output.

The device has replaced the CF1000LX – a 2017 update to the 2016-released CF1000 model – in the manufacturer’s portfolio.

Like its predecessor, the CF1200 can foil, laminate (matt, gloss and soft-touch) and produce holographic special effects. It is intended for short runs of products such as greetings cards, wedding stationery, business cards and packaging.

The machine laminates at up to 12m/min and foils at up to 6m/min, depending on substrate thickness. It can handle base substrates weighing up to 400gsm and sized from A6 to 1.2mx340mm.

A key new feature on the CF1200 is increased pneumatic pressure.

“When you’re laminating, if you use a mechanical lever, you tend to put down somewhere between 50 to 100 kilogrammes of pressure per square metre. If you use compressed air or pneumatic pressure, you can deliver a lot more pressure,” said Intec director of product development Mark Baker-Homes.

“The CF1000 delivered 500 kilogrammes of pressure per square metre but the CF1200 delivers a tonne of metric pressure per square metre.

“This does two things – having pneumatic pressure over mechanical makes it a lot more controllable and it’s easier to set up, and because you’re putting down almost ten times more pressure than mechanical pressure you can laminate or foil quicker and you can do it onto a wider range of stocks and onto a range of different substrates.”

Three models are available – the CF1200 base model features an input arm while the CF1200L includes an extended inclining delivery table to make semi-automatic feeding easier and a premium finish flaring assembly to produce wrinkle-free foiling with a mirror finish effect. The CF1200LX features both of these add-ons as well as a second flaring roller assembly.

While the flaring assembly is not supplied as standard with the CF1200 base model, this device includes brackets so that a user can retrofit the option at a later date if desired.

Finally, a new pull-roll controller enables improved foil flaring results by allowing the user to disengage the lamination pull roller when performing foil flaring.

“Turning off the pull roller gives the best results. It still allows you to run a little bit hotter, so you can therefore foil onto a wider range of substrates than you would be able to normally, but it lifts that pressure so it is not pulling at the foil prematurely,” said Baker-Homes.

The CF1200 base model costs £8,999, the CF1200L is £9,499 and the CF1200LX is available for £11,249.

Target customers range from small commercial printers and high-street printers to larger companies that run the likes of HP Indigos and are looking to add something extra to their offering.