Thermal offset printing, UV inks

[NedL]

What technology is this? What are "UV inks" and doesn't that sound like something we could use?
I know it says "digital thermal plate", but there are "analog" thermal printing methods too, right?

Agfa Energy Eco

It makes me think there's a large world of printmaking that I don't know anything about.

Edit: Also Kodak Sonora "process free" plates. Seems like we ought to be able to take advantage of this technology to make photographic prints too.... Is anyone playing around with these things?

 

[nmp]

What technology is this? What are "UV inks" and doesn't that sound like something we could use?
I know it says "digital thermal plate", but there are "analog" thermal printing methods too, right?

Agfa Energy Eco

It makes me think there's a large world of printmaking that I don't know anything about.

Edit: Also Kodak Sonora "process free" plates. Seems like we ought to be able to take advantage of this technology to make photographic prints too.... Is anyone playing around with these things?

UV inks are similar to regular inks except that after printing they are photo-cured/hardened with little or no VOCs coming out. They have other advantages over the regular inks too, making them more attractive. Theoretically you can probably photo-image it with a mask, if you figure out a way to develop (remove unexposed ink.)

 

[NedL]

Yes, of course, I wasn't thinking! The UV is being used to cure ink that has already been placed where it is wanted. Since the inks will contain various pigments or dyes, development seems likely to be difficult or impossible.... still interesting.