Zimmer Austria’s Colaris Open Ink System For Digital Textile Printing Cuts Costs And Increases Quality At The Same Time

Image Courtesy of Zimmer Austria

ZIMMER AUSTRIA open ink system policy offers a wide range of advantages.

ZIMMER AUSTRIA believe that this approach offers their current customer base reliable printing quality at highest cost efficiency.

Although they appreciate that individuals may benefit somehow from a closed ink system through a single supplier contact point, ZIMMER AUSTRIA strongly believe that the advantages of an open ink system prevail.

Open Or Closed Ink System?

The differentiation between open and closed can be understood as follows:

In a closed system the printing system vendor sells the printing machine together with the ink set for the intended print application.

The system vendor may not manufacture the ink by himself and the ink may not even be branded with the system vendor.

Nevertheless, the purchaser is required to use a specific ink brand when purchasing the printing system, if warranties are not to be voided.

Conversely, an open ink model means that the vendor sells the printing system without forcing the purchaser to use a single source of ink for his desired application.

However, the printer manufacturer will certify the inks to operate in the printer and printhead system.

Technological Advantages Of An Open Ink Model:

• Ability to choose the ‘best ink for purpose’.

• Maximum coverage of textile based substrates

• Any ink class available in the market can be covered

• Multiple partners allow selection as per customers specific requirement

• Specific demand for fastness properties, colorations, as per needs of desired end-product

• The full range of applications is never covered by a single ink supplier

Commercial And Supply Chain Advantages:

• Costs can be compared from certified suppliers

• Trusted chemical supplier may offer special package through localized service

• Choose from international, region or domestic suppliers

• More flexibility and faster response

• Independence from political strategies incl. duty free supply

• Procure inks from experts in their field

• Direct effect on procurement cost based on market price.

• Optimized delivery cycles to balance aging and demand

• On high ink consumption like in carpet application or with multiple print lines in use, transportation costs can be minimized

Needs For, And Reliability Of An Open Ink System:

• Permanent ink circulation reduces risk of sedimentation

• Integrated multi step filtration and degassing system

• Development of inks in close cooperation of chemical-, printhead- and machine manufacturer

• Chemical compatibility tests in cooperation of chemical- and printhead- manufacturer

• Certification of inks through machine manufacturer secure performance and stability of process

List Of Zimmer Austria  Certified Ink And Jetting Chemical Partners:

• China Glaze

• DuPont

• DyStar

• Everlight Chemicals

• Fujifilm Inks

• Hongsam

• Huntsman

• ITACA

• Jay Chemical Industries

• JaySynth Dyestuff

• Qingdao Inkjet New Material

• Sakata Inx | INX Digital

• Setas

• Swiss Performance Chemical

• Tanatex

• Vertexco

Each certified supplier offers one or several ink class(es).

The list is an ongoing process  and certification may vary over time