We currently have 20 different types of Anti-Marking Material available. Choosing the right material is simple and depends on the customer’s budget. Higher performance materials have a higher ink repellent capability, and can be used longer to save costly press down time. Here are some tips on system selection.

 

1)     Which type should be selected?

 

Most press operators select the Pearl-Tex Type AF (white color with fine size beads) for regular offset bond stock, or coated stock with partial to heavy solid, or screen printing. If a press operator prints thicker stocks such as a cardboard or carton box, choosing Pearl-Tex Type AC (white color with coarse size beads) would be an ideal selection. Type AF and Type PF have the same properties. Type PF has pressure sensitive backing with easy installation and maintenance.

 

2)     What is the difference in Pearl-Tex (white color film) and Gem-Kote (brown paper)

 

Pearl-Tex is a polyester base film with silicon glass beads bonded. Gem-Kote is an oil-impregnated base paper with silicon glass beads bonded. Both materials are washable with common pressroom solvent.  Pearl-Tex is more reliable and last longer, but Gem-Kote material cost less.

 

3)     What is the difference between Pearl-Tex (white color film) and Pearl-Tex 21(green color film)?

 

Pearl-Tex 21 (green color) is our highest performance material with higher ink-repellent capabilities and longer life. If the customer has a high volume printing shop, choosing Pearl-Tex 21 is best because it offers less press down time.

Choose this material for special printing applications such as waterless printing or heavy cardboard printing (reduce paper flapping problems on the tail edge of the stock).

 

 

4)     What is Pearl-Tex EX (Silver and black color) material?

 

Silver and black colored materials have the best performance and highest cost.

If you print hi-gloss or enamel stock, the fine silicon beads produce less scratching and a higher ink repellent area creating a mark free print.

 

5)     What is the difference between Pearl-Tex 21(green color film) and 21E (green color film)?

 

Pearl-Tex21 and 21E are similar in ink repellence capabilities. 21E costs less than regular 21 materials.

 

6)     What is Pearl-Tex Plate-Liner used for?

 

This super fine silicon bead film is designed for plate under packing.

Non-steel image plates such as polyester or paper bases often tightly adhere to the surface of the plate cylinder and interferes with Plate Cocking which damages the image plate. With the Plate Liner attached under the image plate, silicon glass beads provide air gaps between the plate and plate cylinder for reduced static electricity and friction force.

The Plate Liner can also be used as an anti-marking sheet on the transfer and delivery cylinder.

 

7)     What is a Loop Jacket?

 

Our first introduction of the Loop Jacket was back in 1995 to retrofit the Heidelberg® presses on their transfer and delivery cylinder. It was designed for Heidelberg® presses equipped with a black rubber rod mounted jacket, ®Blue-Net jacket, flash-chrome metal jacket, or ceramic metal jacket, depending on the press model or the year it was made. Loop Jackets are designed as a direct replacement of any Heidelberg® anti-marking jacket.

There are various types of models and sizes of Heidelberg® presses. Please consult your nearest dealer to find the proper size of a jacket.

 

8)     What are Magnetic Jackets used for?

                                     

This special jacket is designed for Heidelberg® Perfector presses.

The Magnetic Jacket is made with Pearl-Tex21 material with magnetic strips attached on both the gripper and the tail edges of the jacket. When press is operated in straight printing (non-perfector mode), attach the Magnetic Jacket on the sheet reversing transfer cylinder to prevent ink smearing on the printed sheets. In perfector mode, simply remove the Magnetic Jacket from the cylinder to make the press ready for impression.