DigitalView has announced that Van Son Inks and Graphics, a KwaZulu-Natal based supplier of offset inks, coatings and print consumables, which also has branches in Johannesburg and Cape Town, is the first client in Africa to invest in X-Rite’s Autura Ink, a cloud-based ink formulation and quality control solution.
Leveraging X-Rite’s proven technology from InkFormulation software, Autura Ink provides a secure and centralised platform for all formulation, storage, approval, retrieval, and quality control needs for offset, flexo, gravure, and screen-printing inks. Autura Ink enables ink suppliers, printers and packaging converters to accelerate ink development.
Autura Ink simplifies data sharing between formulation, quality control, and PantoneLIVE. Users will no longer need to switch between applications to validate formulas, which is now done seamlessly within the Autura platform.
Using Autura Ink, press operators can quickly identify variations in ink and minimise downtime due to mismatched colours. The integrated BestMatch™ feature allows operators to quickly determine if an ink is within specification or if the recipe needs adjustment. If the on-press colour fails to meet specification, Autura’s Quick Correct feature facilitates the necessary ink formula additions to ensure that the press gets back on colour to resume operations quickly, reducing press returns. By promoting the reuse of materials, users can implement a more sustainable approach to print production.
‘As a supplier of matched inks to the printing and packaging industry, we are always looking at greater efficiencies that enable us to formulate colours faster and to the client’s exact specifications. This has until now, been a time consuming process, affected by substrate changes, raw material consistency and lighting conditions. Autura immediately identifies the ‘needle in the haystack’, resulting in precise colour formulations in record time,’ said Van Son Inks and Graphics’ Managing Director, Lushan Moodley.
‘With Autura, we are also now able to communicate digitally with our client or the brand owner. They simply send us a CXF file and we are able to formulate their exact requirement on any chosen substrate, so this has in essence digitised the art of ink formulation.’
In terms of how the solution will benefit his business, Moodley added, ‘Faster production of accurate colours is a game-changer. Improved quality control and consistency helps reduce cost and increase our capacity to serve this industry better.’
Moodley also praised the service from DigitalView, emphasising on their long-standing relationship with the company, which is built on trust and DigitalView’s ability to deliver what is promised.
Laura Minter, owner at DigitalView, addressed what makes Autura Ink unique: ‘Autura ink is a complete ink formulation and quality control solution. You are reducing the risk of error while avoiding downtime and press return waste. You can quickly share formulation and quality control data and identify ink colour variation without having to go back to a lab to check.’
‘On top of that, you can use your leftover ink for new formulations, making it a green solution. We have found that the setup and training time is very quick. Because it is a cloud based solution, there is no major hardware cost involved, except of course if you do not have an eXact Spectrophotometer,’ added Minter.
Minter also elaborated on how it will serve the South African market: ‘It comes in at a lower price point, which makes it easier for most companies to implement and use the technology. Combined with the expertise of X-Rite and DigitalView, it is a win-win combination for quick and easy colour formulation and colour correction without having costly press downtime. We really believe Autura Ink is going to change the face of ink formulation in the South African Market.’
DIGITALVIEW
+27 11 462 4849
mark@digitalview.co.za
http://www.digitalview.co.za
