Printing Method:
Sands' Color Shift pigments are best suited to silk screen processing due to their particle size, shape and thickness. The thickness (4-5 microns) of the pigments is generally compatible with the similar film thickness generated by a traditional offset process. The larger cross-section pigments can be milled finer; however, the visual impact is impacted by this process. The finer grades (smaller cross-section) of the pigments may be somewhat more compatible with the gravure process if the cells on the plate/blanket cylinder are modified to accept a larger particle size material. Also, modifications in cell geometry can go a long way in supporting the use of pigments in this particular printing method (e.g. hexagonal). Experience in the use of pearlescent pigments can be a great help in defining process modifications that may be required for using the pigments in the various printing processes.

Ink System Compatibility:
Aqueous Based Inks
Sands' Color Shift pigments are generally compatible with aqueous based ink systems.

Solvent based Inks
Sands' Color Shift pigments are generally compatible with solvent based ink systems, with a few considerations. Inks that are based on highly volatile molecules such as acetone, ethyl acetate, or highly solvating molecules such as Xylene, Toluene, THF and NMP can swell the polymeric structure of the pigment, causing a slight shift in the desired color. This shift in color will be reversed back to the original color once the pigment is printed and completely dried. This color shift can also develop if the ink is based on lower volatility molecules if the ink is kept on the shelf for an extended period (more than 3 months); and while drying of the pigment may allow the pigment to assume its desired color and shift effect, this is not a guarantee. This is why shelf stability should be evaluated for your particular solvent system if you will be storing the ink for any extended period.

UV Curable Inks
UV curable acrylate based inks can be problematic for the pigments. The acrylate monomers will tend to irreversibly attack the acrylate polymer system in the pigments, rendering the pigments unusable. What is most important here is to understand the base chemistry of the UV base. If acrylate based chemistry is required for the UV base, it is critically important to use the ink as quickly as possible after formulation is complete.