DigiPrime 4431 coating from HP Indigo

HP has announced the extension of the substrate range for its HP Indigo industrial digital presses through the availability of a new primer solution.

While HP Indigo presses can print on a wide range of paper, plastic, self-adhesive and filmic materials, those that are not optimized for digital printing during manufacture require coating prior to printing to ensure optimal ink adhesion. DigiPrime 4431 can bring materials into a substrate portfolio which was not previously suited for digital printing.

DigiPrime 4431 primer, from HP coating partner, Michelman, Inc., has a much longer shelf-life and a lower applied cost per square meter than earlier Topaz 10 coating. Michelman is a global manufacturer of coatings for the paper and film industries and an established supplier of primer solutions for HP Indigo digital printing applications. It is also water-based, has low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) content and is imperviousness to humidity. 

‘With the new DigiPrime coating, our industrial customers now have a wider variety choice of media,’ said Alon Bar-Shany, vice president and general manager, Indigo Division, HP. ‘The release of DigiPrime 4431 coincides with the launch of the new DigiCoater machine by our partner, AB Graphic International, which is designed for use with water-based coatings for HP’s industrial presses.’

The application of coating to substrates is typically carried out by substrate suppliers, or at the new authorized HP substrate treatment centers, though a number of larger, specialist printers perform substrate pre-treatment in-house.

An early adopter of DigiPrime 4431 is leading label printer, Eshuis BV, of Dalfsen, The Netherlands, which runs three HP Indigo presses.

‘When we started digital printing in 2003, we simultaneously started coating our materials in-house,’ said Hans Poortinga, project manager digital printing, of Eshuis. ‘We understand the importance of primer coating and precision in order to achieve high quality print results. With Michelman DigiPrime we achieve excellent results on both paper and synthetics.

‘DigiPrime adheres extremely well on all materials and it is highly compatible with HP ElectroInk. Besides its performance, DigiPrime is a water-based dispersion that complies with our environmental regulations.’

‘Michelman’s growing relationship with HP Indigo over the last three years has enabled us to achieve new levels of cooperation and product performance. The important qualification and broad success of DigiPrime4431 should give every converter and HP Indigo press user confidence in supplying suitable substrates to the marketplace,’ said Rick Michelman, VP of new business development.