EU Technical Data Sheet SunCure® Starluxe

SunCure® Starluxe UV Curable Ink System for Carton, Luxury Packaging

and Narrow Web applications
1. Description
SunCure® Starluxe is a highly versatile range of UV curable lithographic inks designed for outer surface
printing of carton board and foil boards, selected plastics and non-absorbent substrates. SunCure® Starluxe
is also designed for the printing of labels, sleeves, tags and tickets.
2. Product Features
 Sheetfed or web offset printable
 Extensive colour range, including resistant colours
 Adhesion to a wide range of paper, board and synthetic substrates
 Excellent dot gain and trapping properties for high print quality, including reversed out print
 Suitable for in-line or off-line coating, foil stamping and lamination
 Manufactured only from substances listed in Annex 1 and Annex 6 of the Swiss Packaging Inks
Ordinance
 Formulated using materials listed within the Nestlé “Guidance Note on Printing Inks” 28.05.2009,
modified 06.08.2009, but subject to the conditions of use defined in that document
3. Product Suitability
3.1 Applications
SunCure® Starluxe inks are intended for use in the following areas:
o Paper and carton board, non-food packaging
o Luxury packaging, such as liquor or cosmetic cartons
o Plastic packaging, on appropriately selected substrates
o Paper and top coated plastic self-adhesive labels
o Selected sleeve plastics, including shrinkable plastics
o Primary outer wrap packaging for food, subject to specific conditions of use**
SunCure® Starluxe inks are not suitable for use in the following areas:
o Primary packaging for food, where the packaged goods are in direct contact with the non-
printed side of the packaging, e.g. juice or milk cartons
o Microwave or ovenable applications
o Direct food contact, or where low migration properties are demanded due to pack design or the
nature of the packaged goods due to the risk of direct contact
** ONLY where the packaged goods are retained within an absolute or functional migration barrier
OR the printed packaging has been tested in conditions of use and shown to conform to the
requirements of EU Regulation EU1935/2004/EC.
Printers should assure themselves that use of these products on food packaging has been fully assessed
for risk and the packaging so produced meets regulatory requirements for its intended end use. Whilst
SunCure® Starluxe inks are versatile in performance, they may not be suitable if used outside the above
defined applications. If in doubt, please check suitability with your local Sun Chemical representative
.*Ordinance of the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) on Materials and Articles (817.023.21) Section 8b:Packaging Inks
(Annex 6 revision 25.11.09)

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3.2 Substrates
SunCure® Starluxe inks are suitable for use on paper and carton board and a wide range of non-
absorbent substrates. Corona treatment is recommended for non-top-coated plastic substrates to
ensure an optimum treatment level of 38-44 mNm-1. Note: there is significant variation between
different grades of substrates. The printer should follow specific advice from their substrate
manufacturer and make any tests necessary to prove performance under realistic conditions before
commencing with commercial printing.
3.3 Print Finishing
SunCure® Starluxe inks can be coated to improve gloss, physical and chemical resistance
properties. A range of SunCure® coatings is available for use with the inks, to provide a wide
variety of finishes, including gloss, satin, matt and special effects. Printed material produced with
these inks is suitable for hot and cold-foil stamping, with or without an appropriate coating. Note:
there are many types of foil, which require specific application conditions. Testing is recommended
to establish optimum foiling conditions before proceeding with commercial printing.
SunCure® Starluxe printed materials can be successfully laminated in-line or off-line using
solventless adhesives, using standard converting processes. Please contact your Sun Chemical
technical service representative for specific information.

4. Safety, Health and Environment

4.1 Product Handling

SunCure® Starluxe inks should be used in accordance with normal standards of industrial hygiene
and good working practice. Please refer to the SunCure Starluxe Safety Data Sheet for specific
information.
4.2 Manufacturing and Materials
SunCure® Starluxe inks are produced using Good Manufacturing Practice and in accordance with
the latest EuPIA Guidelines on Printing Inks Applied to the Non-Food Contact Surface of Food
Packaging Materials and Articles. (See www.eupia.org for details)
4.3 Storage
SunCure® Starluxe inks are supplied in 3 kg black plastic buckets. Shelf life is at least two years
from date of manufacture, when stored in original unopened containers between 5° and 25°C and
protected from direct sunlight. The inks may remain useable for longer periods, but once they have
reached this age should be checked before use. If in doubt, please contact your Sun Chemical
representative for advice. Inks returned from press that have not been contaminated in any way
should be re-used within three months.
4.4 Waste Disposal
Printing inks, coatings and printing residues should be disposed of in accordance with Local, EU
and National regulations. Please refer to the product Safety Data Sheet for additional information.

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5. Printing Conditions
5.1 Printing Conditions
SunCure® Starluxe inks are supplied press-ready and should not need adjusting under normal
printing conditions. The press and roller system should be thoroughly cleaned to avoid cross-
contamination from products used previously or adhesion and cure properties may be affected.
5.2 Additives
A number of press-side additives are available for adjusting properties in non-standard conditions
or applications. As a general principle, use of additives should be a last resort, when process
adjustment has not solved particular application issues. Further, the maximum addition level should
be respected, to avoid the potential creation of other issues.
5.3 Wash Up
A variety of proprietary wash-up solutions are available which are suitable for use with UV inks and
press components, including rollers, blankets and plates.
5.4 Fountain Solutions
Depending on press type and substrate, a number of SunFount™ fountain solution additives are
available from Sun Chemical for use with these inks, to provide optimum emulsification and printing
properties. These inks are usually run with low or no alcohol founts and SunFount™ 480 and 485
are proven products for most applications.
Please contact your Sun Chemical representative for consumables advice and recommendations.
6. End-Use Safety / Assumptions
Acceptable technical performance of SunCure® Starluxe inks is dependent on:
 The application of Good Manufacturing Practice
 The press being fitted for UV printing, including suitable rollers, blankets and plates
 Control of film weight and print density
 Adequate curing capacity on-press to ensure that the print is fully cured before conversion
 Appropriate packaging design and structure
Choice and control of film weight, curing and substrate are printer technical requirements for which Sun Chemical
cannot accept responsibility.
Important Information

Inks coded USL51, 52, 55, 60 & 61 (see Table) are based on dye complex (fanal-type) pigments. These products
should not be used on food packaging. They are also not recommended for printing on plastic or filmic substrates
as the pigment may “bleed” into the substrate. Inks of this type have poor resistance properties, especially on non-
absorbent substrates such as foil board, so are not recommended for use where good lightfastness, solvent
resistance e.g. perfume packaging, or outdoor resistance properties are required. Care should be exercised when
coating print made with “fanal-type” inks as some types of coating, especially those with high amine content, can
cause colour shift or “burn-out” of colour. If in doubt, please contact your Sun Chemical customer technical service
representative for advice and product recommendation.

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UV Curable Ink System for Carton, Luxury Packaging

SunCure® Starluxe and Narrow Web applications
Light fastness** Alkali** Alcohol**
Product Product Code
Full Strength Please Note:
Process Yellow SunCure® Starluxe USL26 5 + + Lightfastness is measured
Process Yellow (1st Down according to Blue Wool
SunCure® Starluxe USL28 5 + +
Opaque)
Process Magenta SunCure® Starluxe USL27 5 - +
Scale. Under wet
conditions such as during
Process Cyan SunCure® Starluxe USL25 7 + +
external exposure
Process Black SunCure® Starluxe USL46 7 + +
lightfastness is
®
Intense Process Yellow SunCure Starluxe USL30 5 + + significantly worse for
Intense Process Magenta SunCure® Starluxe USL35 5 - + certain colours. Please
Intense Process Cyan SunCure® Starluxe USL38 7 + + consult Sun Chemical
Intense Process Black ®
SunCure Starluxe USL24 7 + +
technical services for
recommendations on
Mid Resistant Process Yellow SunCure® Starluxe USL08 5 + +
alternative shades or
Resistant Process Yellow SunCure® Starluxe USL54 7 + +
blend formulations.
®
Mid-Resistant Process Red SunCure Starluxe USL37 6 + +

Resistant Process Red SunCure® Starluxe USL44 7 + + Resistant colours may

®
Pantone 012 Yellow ®
SunCure Starluxe USL04 5 - + differ slightly in shade from
Pantone® Orange 021 SunCure® Starluxe USL21 4 + -
the equivalent non-
resistant colour.
Pantone® Warm Red SunCure® Starluxe USL31 3 - +

Pantone® Red 032 SunCure® Starluxe USL32 6 + +

®
Pantone Rhodamine SunCure® Starluxe USL55 4 - - **Test methods available
Pantone® Purple SunCure® Starluxe USL51 4 - - on request
Pantone® Violet SunCure® Starluxe USL52 3 - -

Pantone® Reflex Blue SunCure® Starluxe USL61 3 - -

® ®
Pantone Blue 072 SunCure Starluxe USL60 3 - -

Pantone® Green SunCure® Starluxe USL71 7 + +

Green Shade Yellow SunCure® Starluxe USL14 7 + +

® ®
Transparent Scarlet SunCure Starluxe USL33 6 + + Pantone is the registered
Resistant Warm Red ®
SunCure Starluxe USL36 6 + + trademark of Pantone Inc.
®
Resistant Pink SunCure Starluxe USL56 7 + +
SunCure®and SunChemical®
Resistant Carmine SunCure® Starluxe USL88 6 + + are registered trademarks of
Resistant Blue Shade Red SunCure® Starluxe USL07 6 + + Sun Chemical
®
Resistant Purple SunCure Starluxe USL57 7 + +

Resistant Violet SunCure® Starluxe USL53 7 + +

Resistant Reflex Blue SunCure® Starluxe USL63 7 + + Please see

Resistant (072) Blue ®
SunCure Starluxe USL73 7 + + www.sunchemical.com for
Untoned Black SunCure® Starluxe USL50 8 + + further information on Sun
Special Intense Black ®
SunCure Starluxe USL74 7 + +
Chemical products and
services and contact your
Transparent White SunCure® Starluxe USL48 + +
local Sun Chemical
Non-yellowing Transparent White SunCure® Starluxe USL49 + + representative for specific
Non-yellowing Opaque White ®
SunCure Starluxe USL47 + + product advice.
Opaque White SunCure® Starluxe USL84 + +

Opaque White 2 SunCure® Starluxe USL45 + +

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