Arizona Printer Inks - Oce Arizona 400 Series GT User Manual

Arizona Printer Inks

Arizona Printer Inks
Introduction
Océ Arizona printers use two types of UV-curable inks, referred to as Océ IJC255 and
Océ IJC256. Both inks are easy to maintain, requiring daily maintenance with a vacuum
suction device and a weekly physical cleaning (swabbing) of the printheads. The Océ
IJC255 White ink and all of the Océ IJC256 inks require small jetting actions ("spitting")
between printing times to keep the printheads in a ready-to-print state. This spitting action
amounts to very little ink usage but does require that the user clean the maintenance tray
covers more frequently. Both type of ink include Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, and for
printers with the option installed, White. Due to the UV curing technology, the ink dries
immediately, but can take up to 24 hours to cure fully. In most cases, the printed material
may be handled or cut directly after printing.
When printing with the Océ IJC255 compared with the Océ IJC256, imaging results
will be different, – not better or worse but always different. Océ IJC256 has lower dot
gain characteristics than Océ IJC255. As a result, there is the potential for more structure
and streaking in solid colors and for more image artifacts in areas of heavy coverage (dark
colors) with the new formulation. This is especially apparent on many paper-based media
used for most indoor applications such as foam board, corrugated cardboard, card stock
and poster paper. Océ IJC256 inks also have a softer surface when cured and printed
materials are less scratch and smudge resistant. Océ IJC256 inks feel slightly "tacky" when
cured and have a more satin finished appearance when compared to the semi-gloss finish
of Océ IJC255 inks. This can be a benefit to distant-viewed applications where glare,
caused by the semi-gloss finish of the original Océ IJC255 inks, can be a visual distraction.
This particular characteristic is highly subjective and will be appreciated by some customers
but not all.
Maintenance Considerations
Because the IJC256 ink formulation is more sticky than IJC255, the printhead area will
pick up more debris from media and the environment, so cleanliness is important. More
frequent performance of maintenance may be necessary. Also, printing with IJC256 ink
results in a more sticky ink build-up between nozzle plates so they require cleaning with
a flush-soaked, rather than a dry, lint-free cloth. Ensure that any residual flush is cleaned
from the surface because particulate matter from the environment and from media surfaces
will be re-deposited if there is fluid on the nozzle plates. Also, contact with flush can
damage the printheads.
IJC256 inks require regular spitting in order to keep nozzles clear for jetting (IJC255 ink
only requires spitting with white ink). This spitting occurs in the maintenance station at
set intervals and ejects ink onto an absorbent foam pad. This foam pad must be changed
as it becomes saturated or else the ink being jetted will not be fully absorbed. The pad
200 Chapter 10 - Ink System Management