International Coatings Company has introduced a newly reformulated version of its Ultimate Black screen-printing ink, designed to improve press performance, print consistency and overall value for screen printers.
The updated Ultimate Black 717 features a revised formulation intended to deliver easier setup, improved flow on press and a deeper black appearance while maintaining the performance characteristics printers rely on in production environments.
According to the company, the ink was reformulated from the ground up with a focus on how it handles during real-world printing conditions.
“We focused on what printers actually experience on press,” said Mark Brouillard, product manager at International Coatings. “This update makes Ultimate Black easier to work with, more consistent across jobs and visually more pleasing on the garment while also delivering better value.”
Improved Ease of Use for Screen Printers
The reformulated ink features a creamier consistency and smoother texture designed to make printing easier and more forgiving on press.
According to the company, the updated formulation provides:
- Faster setup times
- Fewer press adjustments
- Consistent performance during long production runs
These improvements help shops maintain production efficiency while reducing operator effort.
Optimized Ink Rheology Improves Print Quality
Ultimate Black 717 also features enhanced rheology to improve ink flow and recovery during printing.
The result is:
- Cleaner prints
- Sharper edge definition
- Stable performance across a wide range of mesh counts
These characteristics help printers achieve predictable and repeatable results across different garments and production conditions.
Deeper Black Appearance With Reduced Sheen
Visually, the updated ink produces a deeper and richer black tone with a controlled satin finish.
Reduced gloss allows the printed image to maintain a professional appearance under various lighting conditions, improving the perceived quality of the final garment.
Lower Ink Usage Helps Reduce Production Costs
The improved coverage of the reformulated ink may also help reduce ink usage per print run.
According to International Coatings, this can lower overall ink costs while maintaining print quality and allowing printers to continue using their existing workflows.
FlexCure Technology Supports Low-Cure Printing
Ultimate Black 717 is part of the company’s FlexCure ink line, allowing it to cure across a temperature range of 275°F to 325°F (135°C to 163°C).
The ink also features low-cure and low-bleed properties, helping reduce dye migration when printing on cotton/poly blends and many polyester substrates.
