The traditional process for printing onto glass substrate is the use of ceramic inks. These inks guarantee good adhesion to the glass surface, due to the firing process at high temperatures. Increased environmental legislation makes a rethink of this technology essential. According to Proposition 65 in the USA & similar legislation in Europe, the use of inks that contain heavy metals such as lead, cadmium or mercury is no longer allowed. These heavy metals are commonly used as pigments in ceramic inks. Furthermore, the use of VOCs should be prevented. Thanks to extensive development work in the printing ink industry, organically based ink systems are now available to replace ceramic inks. These inks are cured by environmentally friendly UV technology, don't contain heavy metals or VOCs, offer a huge variety of colours & ensure a postiive economical process.
