AGFA INCREASES RANGE OF SYNAPS SYNTHETIC PAPERS

Agfa announces the addition of permanent and removable self adhesive grades to its innovative portfolio of Synaps synthetic papers. Synaps is a polyester based material ideal for use on standard offset presses with standard inks. A synthetic paper of a new generation, based on a high grade polyester substrate with a high performance printable topcoat, Synaps combines the physical qualities of a polyester film with the 'look and feel' of a luxury paper. It excells in offset printing applications because of its superior printability and extremely fast drying. It is therefore suitable for applications with high demands on material robustness and print characteristics, and/or applications where the distinct nature of Synaps is valued.

Synaps is available in following versions:

• Synaps OM: two-sided printable synthetic paper, suitable for offset, screen, flexo, and gravure printing. Also suitable for UV curable inkjet printing.
• Synaps Self-adhesive (Synaps AP and Synaps AR): pressure-sensitive self-adhesive synthetic paper. AP is permanent adhesive; AR is removable adhesive.

Standard Synaps OM and now self adhesive Synaps AP and AR feature extremely fast ink setting and drying. Synaps has an antistatic layer and ink receptive topcoat to facilitate smooth transport and fast drying while using standard offset inks and without the need for powdering. Press speeds are higher than with other substrates and as oxidising inks are not required there is no expensive and time consuming clean down at the end of the print run.

Synaps OM consists of an opaque polyester film that is coated two-sided with an ink receptive layer. It is suitable for offset, screen, flexo, and gravure printing. It can be printed with standard offset inks and offers fast ink setting and drying. It is also suitable for UV curable inkjet printing. Synaps AP and Synaps AR are pressure-sensitive self-adhesive synthetic papers. AP is permanent adhesive for long-lasting labeling or marking; AR is removable adhesive for temporary applications.

Jo Vander Aa, Worldwide Marketing & Sales Manager for Synaps, said “With Synaps, printers are offered the possibility to use a synthetic paper that prints like a normal offset paper. These self adhesive grades now broaden the range of applications. The addition of self adhesive is a logical next step and fills the request being made by many printers who already use Synaps. While there is a great advantage for offset printers this product can also perfectly be used with UV inks, in offset and on UV-inkjet printers.”

Synaps AP can be used for permanent marking/labeling, while Synaps AR is a great solution for product promotion displays on windows and smooth surfaces. Both standard Synaps and Synaps self adhesive are available through local Agfa Synaps distributors.