Shinoda USA Frequently Asked Questions

1) Why does Shinoda offer so many different Anti-Marking Materials?

We offer a wide variety of anti-marking materials for several different reasons, performance, longevity, application requirements and price.

2) What is the difference in the ICP Anti-Marking materials?

Our ICP Anti-Marking materials differ in the construction process, we use different size silicon glass beads to support different substrate types and weights, we use different coating layers that influence the life of the material and we use different top coatings that determine the frequency and ease of cleaning.

3) What is the difference in the individual types of ICP Anti-Marking films?

The ICP Anti-Marking Film (White) material is a single coated anti-marking film, the silicon coated glass beads are uniformly coated using an ink and oil resistant adhesive which helps the ink repelling process.

The ICP-NS Anti-Marking Film (Green) material is a double coated enhanced anti-marking film, the silicone coated glass beads are uniformly coated using an ink and oil resistant adhesive and sealed using a silicon top coat, making it the perfect medium ranged priced anti-marking film that is easy to clean.

The ICP-S Anti-Marking Film (Green) material is a triple coated high performance anti-marking film that provides long life and the lowest maintenance of the three anti-marking films. This material uses uniform diameter, silicon coated glass beads in a dense matrix that greatly enhances the ink repelling properties. The silicone coated glass beads are sealed to the surface of the film using multiple layers of an oil and ink resistant adhesive with a primer and a silicon top coating. This manufacturing process provides a higher ink repellant surface and is easy to clean.

4) What is the difference in the colors of the materials?

The main reason for the difference in the color of the materials is to identify the material as our own brand. Most every supplier of anti-marking materials will offer a white colored product along with their own colored product.

5) What is the difference between the ICP Anti-Marking Films and the ICP Anti-Marking Paper?

The ICP Anti-Marking films use a polyester film base to bond the silicon glass beads to the surface which allows washing of the surface. The ICP Anti-Marking papers use an oil impregnated calendar stock to bond the silicon glass beads to the surface, being paper does absorb moisture, the ICP Anti-Marking papers cannot usually be washed. The ICP Anti-Marking Paper requires frequent changes compared to the ICP Anti-Marking films.

6) How often should I change the ICP Anti-Marking films?

The frequency of replacement varies greatly, there are many factors that can influence replacement which include the press type, cylinder position, the printing application, frequency of cleaning, cleaning materials used and the type of material you are using (film vs. paper). The replacement period can be as short as 1 month and as long as 2 years. If the material can no longer be cleaned and marking is a continuous issue it is most likely time to change the material.

7) What ICP Anti-Marking material should I choose for my application?

Choosing a material can be difficult when you consider all the options we offer. We would suggest that our Product Selection Chart be reviewed to help you choose the correct material, if you are still not sure which material is best for your application, please contact us directly to discuss your requirements and preferences concerning, price, longevity and application as well as press type.

8) We print a wide variety of different substrates, what bead size should I choose?

In most cases the bead size selected will be determined by the substrate most often printed. If the majority of work printed is on bond or coated stocks with heavy solids or screens most often a small bead size would be used. If the majority of work printed is heavier stocks, such as postcards, cardboard or carton types stocks, most often a large bead size would be used. If the stocks being printed are all of the above, most often a medium size bead would be used. We would suggest that our Product Selection Chart be reviewed to help you choose the correct bead size, if you are still not sure which material is best for your application, please contact us directly to discuss your requirements and preferences concerning, price, longevity and application as well as press type.

9) How do you install the ICP Anti-Marking films?

The ICP Anti-Marking films can be installed in several ways, using existing clamping hardware, spray adhesive or double sided tape. The ICP Anti-Marking films are also available with a pressure sensitive adhesive backing or with pre-mounted adhesive strips that are available in several width sizes. We provide installation instructions with every shipment and you can also view or download these instructions via our website.

10) How do you clean the ICP Anti-Marking films and how often should I clean the surface?

The ICP Anti-Marking Film will require periodic cleaning in order to keep the surface free from ink accumulation. In most cases the surface should be washed on a daily basis in order to receive the longest service life. It is also best that the washing of the surface be performed before the ink is dried and becomes hard. We suggest that a clean lint free cloth be used to wash the surface of the ICP Anti-Marking film or Green Frog ICP Anti-Marking Jacket, do not use scrubbing pads with coarse surfaces as this may scratch the surface and allow rapid ink accumulation. To remove ink or other debris from the surface we suggest a mild (non-Toluene based) solvent that does not contain Glycol, as these types of solvents can destroy the surface integrity and cause premature replacement. If ink is allowed to dry on the surface, it may be necessary to wash the surface several times in order to remove any ink accumulation. It is normal to see stains appear on the surface as the coatings used to protect the Silicon Glass Beads have pores that will retain small amounts of ink pigmentation and may cause a staining effect. It is only important that dried ink not accumulate on the jacket surface over long periods of time, as the dried ink accumulation may scratch the surface of the freshly printed substrate.

11) We have noticed that at times anti-marking films can cause static electricity issues when transferring certain substrates, does the ICP Anti-Marking films have these same issues?

Static issues can be caused by a number of issues and most film based products can also be the cause of static electricity, our ICP Anti-Marking films are also available with an anti-static treatment that can reduce or eliminate static electricity issues caused by sheet transfer.

12) What if the product we choose does not perform to our satisfaction?

If you choose a material without consultation from a member of the Shinoda technical staff, we would work with you to determine why the material you choose is not performing and what material would be best for your application. If the material chosen was at the suggestion of a member of the Shinoda technical staff, we would replace the material at no additional charge once it was determined what is causing the issue and what material should correct the problem.

13) What are the differences between the ICP Anti-Marking films and the SSR materials?

The ICP Anti-Marking films are used mostly in reducing or eliminating marking issues as printed substrates are transferred between printing units. The SSR materials are used in many other applications which include, an anti-marking film, an impression cylinder surface, as a blanket material or a precision plate packing material. The SSR materials are constructed with super fine silicon glass beads and are much more precise concerning the thickness of the product and are also available with different backings, thicknesses and a pressure sensitive adhesive backing.

14) What is SC Anti-Marking Cloth?

The SC Anti-Marking Cloth is a soft non-woven spunlace material that provides a soft cushion that helps support sensitive substrates such as plastic, metallic or other materials with low absorption rates or rigid heavy substrates. It is similar to other cloth based anti-marking materials such as nets and similar non-woven materials.

15) What is a Green Frog ICP Anti-Marking Jacket?

The Green Frog ICP Anti-Marking Transfer or Delivery Jacket uses the ICP-S Anti-Marking film and is converted to use additional clamping mechanisms. Our Green Frog jackets are primarily designed for Heidelberg press models because in most all cases the jacket requires packing to support and transfer the printed substrate correctly. The Green Frog jackets are designed for virtually every Heidelberg press model and position. The Green Frog ICP Anti-Marking Jacket was design to replace the original black glass beaded transfer jackets and also other after-market retro-fitted anti-marking jackets.

16) Can you manufacture Green Frog Jackets for presses other than Heidelberg models?

If the press is equipped with clamping mechanisms that are intended to fasten a jacket or other material to a transfer or delivery position, it is most likely possible for us to design a Green Frog ICP Anti-Marking Jacket for your press model.

17) How do you install a Green Frog ICP Anti-Marking Jacket?

We provide installation instructions with every shipment and you can also view or download these instructions via our website.

18) Are there any special requirements when ordering a Green Frog ICP Anti-Marking Jacket?

Depending on the model, position and year of manufacture we may require measurements to ensure a proper fit. Please contact us for details and required measurements.

19) How do I order any of the products Shinoda offers?

You can contact us directly for ordering information.