Technical Information 16.P.006 Conventional Offset Systems Ink Series, Process Inks MGA NATURA Extended Colour Gamut Series Extended Colour Gamut 7-colour ink series to enable printing of a wider number of colour shades without the need for spot colour inks for organoleptically neutral print products - low migration Range of applications The ECG inks are specially developed for printing an extended colour space compared to standard 4 colour system. In combination with a special pre-press software it s possible to simulate a wide range of special colours. In case of conventional products we recommend the conventional ECG series. Available inks MGA NATURA Fastness properties per ISO 12040 / ISO 2836 Light WS Alcohol Solvent mixture Alkali Drying/Setting Yellow 41 MGA5155 5 + + + by setting only Magenta 1 42 MGA5155 5 + + - by setting only Cyan 43 MGA5155 8 + + + by setting only Black 49 MGA5155 8 + + + by setting only Orange 41 MGA5156 5 + + + by setting only Violet 43 MGA5156 7 + + + by setting only Green 44 MGA5156 7 + + + by setting only 1)varnish-solvent fast Optimum colour selection If the printing press does not have 7 units then the ECG range can be used as 6-colours, selecting the optimum additional 2 inks based on the target colours to be printed. It is recommended that any printed colour is not made up of a combination of more than 3 of the ECG inks in order to maintain the brightest results. This can be configured through your colour management software parameter settings or consultation with the software vendors. Print sequence The optimum print sequence for the 7-colour series is Black-Violet-Cyan-Green-Magenta-Orange-Yellow In the case of wanting to avoid washing up units between printing 4-colour process and ECG inks then the sequence Black-Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Violet-Green-Orange is suggested. This maintains the print sequence for the 3 additional colours. We don't recommend to use other inks, as in the system defined. Software MGA NATURA Extended Colour Gamut 09/2018 en
To print with the ECG system it s necessary to use special pre-press software to exploit the full potential. One of this special software is the GMG OpenColor and Hybrid PACKZ. Target values CTP-calibration As target values for the calibrations and thus the final area covergage in screened areas we recommend. For the process inks cyan, magenta, yellow and black, the specifications of ISO 12647-2 (density measurements) (Calibration setpoints: according to the paper classification used in accordance with ISO 12647) For the additional colours orange, green and violet, the specifications of ISO 20654 (SCTV) (spectral measurement) (setpoints for the calibration: linear) Tone value increase (dot gain) We recommend that the tone values increase (TVI) of the 3 additional colours is aligned to the dot gain values of the ISO 20654 (SCTV). Colour targets For an optimum simulation of special colours we recommend an acquisition of all parameters (like tone value increase, paper specifications, and so on) and a calibration of the whole process by means a suitable testchart. Due to the way colours are created using the ECG system the pigments utilized may be different to those used to create spot inks so some metamerism is possible (colours that match under standard lighting conditions look different under other light sources). To reach the best result of the extended gamut system we have determine guide values for profiling, in the chart below. This guide values have to be add at the database of the measurement system, of the machine as target values of the additional colours, of the ECG System. The values were determined with 1,2g/m² ink weighton coated paper. For the Process inks, the defined values of the DIN ISO-12647 are valid as target values. Guide values M0 Measurement condition M0 (nopol) - 45/0 - Abs - D50 2 Orange 41..5156 65,18 58,76 90,72 108,08 57,07 Violet 43..5156 19,93 52,17-60,08 79,57 310,97 Green 44..5156 59,98-79,98 1,5 80 178,93 M1 Measurement condition M1 (nopol) - 45/0 - Abs - D50 2 Orange 41..5156 65,16 58,86 90,49 107,95 56,96 Violet 43..5156 20,03 52,44-60,66 80,18 310,84 Green 44..5156 60,05-79,97 1,59 79,98 178,86 MGA NATURA Extended Colour Gamut 09/2018 Page 2/6
M3 Measurement condition M3 (Pol) - 45/0 - Abs - D50 2 Orange 41..5156 64,43 59,67 99,19 115,75 58,97 Violet 43..5156 16,16 57,85-63,03 85,55 312,55 Green 44..5156 59,01-81,81 1,82 81,83 178,73 Basic requirements for food packaging Food packages shall not transfer any substances to the goods packaged inside them that endanger human health, influence the odour or taste of the packed food, influence the composition or appearance of the packed food. Sheet-fed offset inks that are used in the manufacture of food packaging in which the packaged food has direct contact with the unprinted inside of the packaging must therefore be low-migration inks and have no adverse effect on either the odour or the taste of the packaged foodstuffs. MGA NATURA is a low migration and low-odour offset ink series. These inks are mineral oil free formulated and do not contain any drier to support drying by oxidation. All raw material used to manufacture this ink series are selected according to EuPIA Guideline. All ingredients are listed in the annex of the Swiss ordinance on materials and articles in contact with food (SR 817.023.21). Binders of MGA NATURA are based on special esters which are approved for direct contact with food stuff. The inks are formulated and manufactured in compliance with EuPIA GMP. This ink series is recommended to produce food packaging which are compliant to European regulation 1935/2004. The manufacturer of the packaging has to make a risk assessment and an appropriate quality control to ensure that any migration to the packed good above the legal limits is excluded. Information on substances used or known to be present with the potential to migrate, including possible restrictions, is provided in the respective Statement of Composition, to allow members of the packaging chain to asses compliance of the printed packaging with the Framework Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004 and/or Swiss Ordinance 817.023.21. Properties The MGA NATURA ink series is a mineral oil-free, cobalt free and low migration formulated, suitable to manufacture for food packaging. Use for food packaging not recommended recommended Migration properties high low Sensory properties high low Swelling properties high low Setting properties slow very fast Dot sharpness low high Post-print processing slow very fast Ink series for printing the non-food contact surface for food packaging made of paper and board Low migration according EuPIA/PIJITF definition Overall migration < 10 mg/dm² MGA NATURA Extended Colour Gamut 09/2018 Page 3/6
Organoleptic assessment of printed products produces excellent results ( Robinson test EN 1230 Part 1 and Part 2) For articles that were filled, treated or stored for a longer time at higher temperatures (more than 70 C), we recommend special inks from our MGA CORONA series. MGA NATURA inks can be used in a similar way to conventional inks and are suitable for use in all sheet-fed offset presses and on all absorbent stocks. The applied single film thickness should not exceed 2 g/m² Colour shades in compliance with ISO 2846-1 Process inks perfectly fit for print production according to ISO 12647-2 Stable ink/water balance in the press Fast setting speed These inks dry solely through setting and not by oxidation. Due to their drying mechanism, prints made with MGA NATURA inks do not offer very good rub resistance. For a sufficient rub resistance we recommend inline coating with organoleptically neutral, water-based coating The fact that the inks do not dry by oxidation means no substances develop that are organoleptically objectionable like short-chain aldehydes. Printed products made using MGA NATURA inks therefore also have a low hexanal content Recommended for printing according to Blue Angel, Nordic Swan and EU Ecolablel Application instructions Fount solution delivery and composition The hubergroup has developed specific MGA fount concentrates for use with MGA NATURA inks: SUBSTIFIX MGA 8360 (for printing without IPA) COMBIFIX MGA 8060 (for printing with IPA) The isopropanol concentration in the fount solution shall not exceed 10 % at a ph of 5.0-5.4 when using COMBIFIX MGA. Roller treatment Due to the possible negative effect on printed packages with respect to odour and taste, the rollers must not be sprayed with ANTISKIN or INKFIT. After washing the rollers, leave them to dry well. ACRYLAC MGA water-based overprint varnishes The following water-based overprint varnishes have been developed specifically for finishing MGA NATURA inks: Glossy and rub-resistant coating for single-sided coating: ACRYLAC MGA Gloss S 58MGA1300 Wet-blocking-resistant and rub-resistant coating: ACRYLAC MGA GIoss 58MGA1000 If required, other ACRYLAC MGA types with additional special properties can be supplied. Storage/Converting Max. temperature in the stack 35 C Drying time before converting should be at least 48 hours Printing auxiliaries The ECG inks are ready to use products. However, under exceptional circumstances it may become necessary to adapt the process inks to special printing conditions. For this please find the recommended additives below. MGA NATURA inks shall only be mixed with other MGA inks and auxiliaries. Driers or drying accelerators shall not be added, under no circumstances, because this would lead to the generation of strong-smelling decomposition products. To reduce ink tack, use only Print oil 10MGA1405N or Corona MGA Paste reducer 10MGA9998N MGA NATURA Extended Colour Gamut 09/2018 Page 4/6
Shelf life The minimum shelf life of these products is 36 months from the date of production if the container is not opened. But dependent on the storage and handling conditions they can remain usable for much longer. Further information: store between 5-25 o C. Higher storage temperature may reduce shelf life. Protect from frost and sunlight. Classification According to the Ordinance on Hazardous Substances: none According to the Regulation of Flammable Liquids: none Material Safety Data Sheet available on request. Please refer to the contact of your local supplier. MGA NATURA Extended Colour Gamut 09/2018 Page 5/6