Liquid toner electrophotography technology is a mature blend of science, materials and experience. Its history is documented with many practical and commercially viable applications, originating from a technology developed by scientists working in a government laboratory. From this original work a global interest was generated in the late 1950's. In those early days, when dry electrophotography was still in its relative infancy, some of the future limitations of dry toners could already be seen. Liquid toners were conceived to take electrostatic image generation to a level which could not be approached by dry toners.

The first most pressing application for liquid toners was image duplication. An unassuming challenge by present day standards, but then, when the only means of duplication was by unpleasant and laborious chemical methods, it was a revelation. The next logical step was the application of color reproduction and it was here that the full potential of liquid toners became evident.

Liquid toner color imaging was shown to be capable of addressing the demands of high quality, high-resolution imagery. Conforming to the strictest printing industry 4 color process standards for color proofing, liquid toner printing was able to achieve virtually any desirable color required for wide format reprographic applications. Through the synergy of chemistry and processes, avenues were created to even more applications by addressing the variety of substrate properties and print speed required by the graphics art industry.

RLA's liquid toner processes employ liquid toners which are cost effective ways of producing quality images on virtually any substrate and as future product development continues, this advantage will be maintained as new, environmentally friendly, liquids and processes are brought to the industry.

RLA's liquid toners of today offer a wide range of commercial opportunities with a capability to print on a wide range of substrates at speeds in excess of 300 feet per minute (1.5 meters per second), and with chemistries tailored to the application, all with a final product that achieves the cost effectiveness required in today's business.

RLA is a leader in the development of Liquid Toner Printing technologies, with capabilities to develop a complete liquid toner printing system for commercial and industrial printing applications.

For the last 40 years, RLA has been creating liquid toner printing technologies for many of the world leaders in the printing business. Through these developments RLA has gained the knowledge and skill to be at the forefront of research and development for the future liquid toner printing systems.

RLA’s skills include:

RLA continues to invest in technologies relating to liquid toner printing and actively seeks new areas of application where liquid toners or digital printing have not been utilised before.

The liquid toners of tomorrow are exciting because the challenges of increasing environmental awareness and safety concerns presented by consumers are being addressed. Materials friendly to consumers and regulatory bodies alike are being introduced and processes to act in synergy with these new chemistries are being developed. Cost effective image generation with economy of materials usage, remain goals of these approaches.

In summary, RLA's liquid toner printing technologies have the following advantages: