Narrow web ink specialist Pulse Roll Label Products and foil manufacturer API Group have teamed up to launch their new PureFinish cold foil adhesive.

To be first shown at Labelexpo Europe 2019, the tinted cold foil adhesive is part of Pulse Roll Label Products’ PureFinish portfolio of varnishes and adhesives.

Formulated for UV flexo printing and tinted blue to make registration easier, the adhesive complies with the latest EuPIA guidelines and industry standards and is also available for non-direct food packaging applications.

Taking a collaborative approach, Pulse Roll Label Products involved several industry suppliers in the project: UV flexo inks and adhesive provided by Pulse Roll Label Products; printing at Edale; foils from API; plates from Creation Reprographics; substrate by Herma; die-cutting by RotoMetrics; anilox from ALT; doctor blades from Flexo Concepts and plate mounting tape by tesa.

According to the company, the collaborative project was inspired by API’s Trends Folio 2019/2020, which was the foundation for the creative development of a range of self-adhesive labels. Different designs were created to complement the key market trends identified by API’s creative development team.

Pulse Roll Label Products product manager Mikaela Harding said, “We’re seeing continued demand for embellishments including in-line cold foil applications in the narrow web sector.

“With technological advancements in recent years, there’s been increased uptake in the use of cold foil in the label sector. It’s now a proven and popular in-line process used by many converters, in both the UK and overseas markets.”

Pulse Roll Label Products marketing and communications manager Sarah Harriman said brand differentiation and attractive finishing effects for printed labels can be achieved using cold foiling, with results including fine detail and better area coverage.

“We are delighted to have teamed up with API and, as part of our partnership ethos, to also involve other industry experts in this promotional project. The printed results will be showcased on our stand at Labelexpo Europe to illustrate how cold foiling can enhance and add value to a brand’s label,” she said.

API group marketing director Richard Burhouse said its Trends Folio acts as a source of inspiration for packaging designers, agencies and brand owners and sets out the current trends for the packaging industry.

“It was exciting to work with Pulse Roll Label Products and take this year’s key design themes, Rainshow, Urban, Poetry and Prestige, to create a selection of self-adhesive labels that showcase the possibilities for cold foil in the narrow web sector,” he said.

“Cold foils are now widely used for reel-to-reel label production on filmic materials and coated paper, where foiling units integrated into the printing press enable printed and foiled labels to be produced at high speed in a single, in-line process, with quick, low-cost set-up.”

In addition to the new PureFinish cold foil adhesive, Pulse Roll Label Products will also be showcasing the next evolution of its PureTone and PureTone FPC UV flexo ink system and PureAqua water-based flexo inks at Labelexpo in Brussels.