Repeatable Sample Preparation Systems
RK PrintCoat Instruments Ltd. is a British company specialising in the design and manufacture of application, print proofing and testing equipment for preparing accurate and repeatable surface coating samples.
Standardised samples prepared using RK instruments are used for quality control, research and development, customer presentations, computerised colour matching, spectrophotometric measurement and printability assessments. Preparing samples at controlled speeds, pressures and film thicknesses enables small differences between products to be compared reliably.
Extensive Experience and a Family Tradition
RK PrintCoat Instruments was founded in 1962 by Roman Kerchiss, who had 30 years of experience in the surface coatings industry. Today, RK remains a family-owned company with a workforce of approximately 30 employees and operates from its manufacturing facility in Litlington, near Cambridge.
The company’s family tradition continues under Tom Kerchiss, son of the founder and Chairman of the Board, while David Pooley serves as Managing Director. Supported by a worldwide network of local representatives and technical support services, RK systems are designed to provide consistency and reliability throughout customers’ sample preparation processes.
Application and Print Proofing Equipment
The company’s product portfolio ranges from manual K Hand Coater application bars and controlled film applicators to paint application instruments and print proofing systems for flexographic, gravure and paste inks.
Advanced instruments such as the FlexiProof 100/UV enable realistic print proofs to be prepared under conditions similar to those of a production press, allowing colour-matching work to be performed away from the production line. This can help reduce machine downtime, production waste and trial costs.
Roll-to-Roll Pilot Production Systems
RK develops VCML systems and custom-built production machines for laboratory- and pilot-scale roll-to-roll printing, coating and laminating applications.
These systems enable water-based, solvent-based and UV-curable products to be evaluated under controlled conditions on substrates including paper, board, plastic film, metal foil and textiles.
Broad Range of Industrial Applications
RK equipment is used by printing ink and paint manufacturers, printers, packaging converters and suppliers of pigments, resins and dyes, as well as companies operating in the textile, adhesive, paper, film, foil, electronics, medical and pharmaceutical industries.
Kar Kimya is representing RK PrintCoat Ltd. since 1996.
