New 3M Versatile Print Durable Label Materials enable several emerging trends in label printing

For the past several years 3M has been developing a new proprietary topcoat technology with one primary objective at the forefront; one topcoat that performs at a high level across multiple print platforms. 

The emergence of new digital printing technologies has been dominating the printing industry over the past few years, but there is still a continued need for traditional printing methods like flexographic. 3M_TM Versatile Print Label Materials perform across several printing technologies: UV Digital Inkjet, Water-based and UV Flexographic, Screen, Toner-based, thermal transfer, and more. 

This new topcoat has allowed converters to eliminate costly pre-treatment steps like priming and corona treating. One of the exciting newer trends in the printing industry is the emergence of hybrid printing ^systems that combines different print methods. This new label material lends itself well to this type of equipment, as it is “press ready” and helps converters increase efficiency by eliminating the need to treat the material for proper print performance. 

3M Versatile Print Durable Label Materials also delivers on 3M’s commitment to sustainability. This topcoat not only utilizes water-based technology, but it is also press ready to use with many water- based ink systems which helps converters eliminate solvent-based manufacturing process steps like priming. 

“One of the industry gaps we recognized early on was ink anchorage when printing via water-based flexographic on gloss film label materials. Improving this was a priority for us and based on internal testing, feedback from press manufacturers, ink suppliers, and graphic converters it appears we have successfully met that objective,” says Justin Seidel, U.S. Marketing Manager for 3M Durable Label Materials. 

Converters have also realized increased efficiency by not only eliminating process steps, but also rationalizing inventory levels since they can essentially use one durable label material regardless of print method, and with the confidence that it will perform at the high level they expect from 3M.