Inkless printing technology is claimed to be suitable for coding and marking in the labels and packaging market
Inkless, a Netherlands based start up, has developed a monochrome printing technology that it claims ‘can completely turn the print market upside down.’
The Inkless process uses a laser to scorch the surface of the substrate, eliminating the need for inks and toners. The company claims that, unlike some other laser-based marking systems, it doesn’t need any special surface treatment or coating.
Inkless co founder Arnaud Van der Veen said, ‘With Inkless, the paper is carbonised. If you would normally try this with thin material, such as paper, you would burn through it quickly. The resulting print would also not be permanent or black enough. Inkless has a much better control over the carbonisation process, which means we don’t have to print as deep and therefore do not damage the paper. Furthermore, we have developed a solution which ensures that the print is black enough and also permanent.’
Potential professional printing applications of the process include transactional, direct mail and books; it is also claimed to be suitable for coding and marking in the labels and packaging market.
Inkless originated from a graduation project of Venkatesh Chandrasekar, who studied at the Delft University of Technology. Together with fellow student Van der Veen, he founded the company to develop the technology, with the university as one of its shareholders; all within the business incubator Yes!Delft. The start up employs seven and is looking for partners to bring the technology to market.
