Sepiax has upgraded its Aquares resin ink technology for semi-industrial and signage applications, and will launch its third-generation product at EcoPrint in September.

Improvements to the water-based inks – which are capable of printing onto 'virtually every surface' without primer, says Sepiax – include use with lower temperatures, with the average drying temperature for plastic films now under 50°C. Version three can be mixed with version two 'without any problems' and offers better reliability on long print runs while simultaneously lengthening cleaning intervals thanks to 'self-cleaning' technology.

Sepiax Aquares 3.0 can print without primers onto substrates including textiles, acrylics, wood, metal and polycarbonate

"The results of this 'self-cleaning mechanism' technology are really impressive, says Karl Ebner, marketing and sales director, Sepiax. "During the intensive one-year beta-testing phase we haven’t had one single problem in terms of print-head clogging. This new Aquares 3.0 is even capable to clean itself after too 'hot' printing conditions via a standard cleaning procedure."

Ebner describes EcoPrint 2012, taking place in Berlin, Germany on September 26th and 27th, as 'a perfect platform' for Sepiax: "The latest market developments prove that moving away from harmful solvents and reducing power consumption are major steps for the graphics industry. Together with the theme of this show it confirms the direction Sepiax had already chosen years ago."