Optimize your digital printing results with a variety of primer and overprint varnish solutions designed for specific digital printing applications.
DigiPrime® is our most versatile and popular water-based digital printing primer solution and is designed for optimal ink receptivity. You can rest assured that what you want to put down in print, ends up looking exactly as you intended. Our solutions include primers optimized for the new HP Indigo 20000 and 30000 presses.
Michem® In-Line Primers are designed for three HP Indigo printers equipped with in-line priming applicators – the W3250, W7200 and the WS6600. These HP digital printers offer printing and priming of various substrates in a single in-line machine.
Sapphire is a water-based digital printing primer treatment used for optimizing papers for the HP Indigo commercial presses such as the 5000 and 7000 series. The treatment is based on the application of a water-soluble polymer.
Digital printing overprint varnishes are used to enhance appearance and protect printed materials. Our varnishes are applied in liquid form over the digital print and then require some form of drying or curing. During this process, the liquid overprint varnish hardens and then offers protection against physical and chemical damage.
As with any technology driven industry, the digital printing market evolves quickly over time. Users are seeing a steady stream of new printers and new application techniques on a wider variety of substrates. Michelman digital printing supplies, including primer and overprint varnish technology has also evolved to stay ahead of the curve, making it easier for you to take advantage of the new capabilities offered by HP and other digital press manufacturers.
HP Indigo offers high capacity presses for both labels & packaging and commercial printing which are equipped with in-line priming (ILP) applicators. For some presses, users have the option of an ILP applicator that can optimize a wide range of substrates immediately prior to printing. Michelman develops primers specifically for this equipment and the applications associated with them.
| HP INDIGO PRESS | MICHELMAN PRIMER | RECOMMENDED SUBSTRATES | APPLICATIONS |
|---|---|---|---|
6K & 8K | paper, film, synthetic, metal | labels, shrink sleeves | |
DigiPrime® 680*† | film, synthetic, metal | flexible packaging (especially for lamination with adhesives), shrink sleeves, some label stock | |
W7200 & W7250 | coated and uncoated paper | books & journals, magazines, personalized direct mail, transpromotional documents, yearbooks | |
25K | paper, film | flexible packaging (especially for lamination with adhesives) | |
35K | cartonboard | folding cartons |
* Michelman primers are the only primers certified for in-line use by HP Indigo.
† For certain coated paper label applications, Michem® In-Line Primer Q4324A is another certified option that can be run interchangeably with DP680.
Many digital press owners around the world use Michelman’s DigiPrime® off-line primers because of their ability to improve ink receptivity, rub resistance, and image quality on most types of paper, plastic, and film. DigiPrime® primers provide improved productivity and efficiency for digital printing on both commercial and labels & packaging presses.
Michelman also offers solutions for near-line priming. Although substrates primed with these products have a limited shelf life, these primers are easier to apply and run on less sophisticated equipment.
| MICHELMAN PRIMER | RECOMMENDED SUBSTRATES | KEY BENEFITS | APPLICATION METHOD | FOOD CONTACT COMPLIANT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
paper and a wide variety of film, ideal for label & flexible packaging applications | ideal when corona not available | flexo & gravure | yes | |
paper, especially suited for commercial printing | ideal when limited drying capacity available | flexo & gravure | yes |
Many of our additives and surface modifiers are manufactured in Singapore and fall under the terms of the ASEAN–China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA). Please contact us for more information.