Flint Group has expanded its UV LED dual-curing flexo ink range with EkoCure XS white inks. The new product delivers enhanced results on even the most demanding shrink sleeve designs.

The company’s new EkoCure XS shrink whites bring robust, flake-free performance across the EkoCure series. The inks feature formulations designed to preserve ink adhesion and help brands stand out on the shelf. 

Flint Group designed these inks to deliver a tough, ultra-smooth white base. The product also maintains its integrity without flaking or cracking, even in high-shrink or high-stress areas of the sleeve. Furthermore, dual-curing technology allows converters to run EkoCure XS shrink whites with both UV and UV LED curing. This streamlines print workflows and boosts productivity.

Flint Group recommends that total ink film thickness of the graphic print does not exceed 15 bcm for best results.

Simplifying shrink

Rob Stendahl, R&D technology manager, North America, Flint Group, says, “With our EkoCure XS shrink whites, we’re removing uncertainty from the most challenging part of shrink sleeve production. High-shrink, high-stress areas routinely risk exposing whites to cracking and flaking that can ruin print quality and damage a design’s shelf appeal. This new formulation is designed to resist these challenges and deliver a glossy, durable finish that keeps branded graphics looking their best.”

Beyond lasting print quality, the new EkoCure XS shrink whites offer additional tangible benefits for converters. These include time and waste savings by eliminating the need to strip ink during tape or crinkle testing. As a best practice, the use of both, the first and second down UV shrink combination of the UV shrink white layers, supports best overall shrink character, opacity, and coefficient of friction (COF) characteristics.

The solution also enables longer high-speed runs with consistent adhesion and fewer print defects. This enables the seamless integration with Flint Group’s toolbox inks.

Stendahl adds, “At Flint Group, we partner closely with our customers to understand what slows them down on-press and the challenges they face in meeting brand owners’ requests. These new EkoCure XS shrink whites represent our latest step in delivering practical, high-performance inks that work in real production environments, enabling printers to operate with confidence and brands to look flawless on shelf.”

EkoCure XS shrink whites are available to customers across North America.