Snap & Burst™ printing slurry, manufactured by Vantage Inc., is used for the production of fragrance promotional pieces. The product is easily identifiable as having a folded flap of paper that, when unfolded, releases microencapsulated fragrance oil. This method of advertising fragrance has become the most successful way of advertising fine fragrances in the United States.

Description:

The product is a water-based printing ink containing microencapsulated fragrance oils and a fugitive adhesive. The material is applied between paper and folds. The adhesives and microcapsules will break at a later date by pulling the paper folds apart (without tearing the paper stock). This will release the fragrance oil from the microcapsules. This material is delivered to printers in a press ready form.

Application:

The material is applied as a finishing process after the ink is applied and dried onto paper. Remoistenable glue application stations are most often used, however, simplified extrusion methods have also worked successfully. Immediately after the fragrance application paper is folded and the piece can be cut and packaged as any other print material.

Printing Methods:

Flexographic Printing

Anilox: 125 Line Anilox
Metering Roller: 50-65 Durometer
Machine Speed: 200-400 fpm
Coverage: 180,000 sq. inches/gallon

Web Offset Printing:

Use Remoistenable Glue Station. Pads should be cut so the deposit bleeds onto a light colored area, reducing appearance problems. The pad should cover at least 1½ sq. inches.

Preparation for Printing:

Open container and mix well. We recommend mixing with an air mixer 1/8 HP with a 3” marine prop mounted on an 18” stainless steel shaft. Mix until uniform and material is free from the bottom. We also recommend using a diaphragm pump (rather than a gear pump) to prevent rupturing the capsules.

Start up and Running:

Check to see that the pan (if used), pumps and hoses are clean of glue and previous slurry residue. The best wash-up is with hot water. The lay-down of the slurry should be full and even. Check the bond once it is dry. Insure that a sufficient amount of fragrance material is being deposited onto the paper before saving any product. Deposits which are too heavy will cause the paper to tear when opening. Light deposits may not bond the paper together, or may not release an adequate amount of fragrance. Make adjustments as necessary during production to maintain the correct coat weight. If you are not sending the prints through a dryer they will still be wet when they come off the press. In order to test the coat weight the prints must be dry. You can dry the prints in a microwave for approximately 30 seconds. Make sure not to scorch them. This should give you an accurate representation of the snap.

Cooling Fragrance:

Cooling should be used on long runs (over 24 hours). If the coating temperature is allowed to go over 85°F, rapid evaporation of water from the slurry occurs, which causes an increase in viscosity. Chilled water should be used to cool the slurry. Ideal slurry range temperature is 75-80°F.

Handling:

Material must be mixed thoroughly using low shear mixing equipment. Material must be continually re-circulated during application to ensure uniform product consistency.