Nanography is most commonly known in the science field as the manipulation of ultra-small particles. In the medical field this process has been employed in studies as a way to deliver medication through absorption of the skin because of the ultra small particles that it allows the medication to be broken down to. Nanotechology, as it relates to the graphic arts industry, has come to the forefront due to the efforts of Benny Landa. Landa was the inventory of the Indigo digital printing press and is considered by many to be a “founding father” of digital printing. After selling his company to HP, Landa started a research and Development company. One of the efforts he led was figuring out a way to employ nanontechnology to enhance the science of putting ink on paper. Landa’s team has found a way to reduce ink to nano particle size. In doing so, they realized that the colors in the ink were significantly stronger than conventional ink and a toner and gained other properties that possibly will make it a superior way of putting ink on a substrate.

Using the proprietary NanoInk, nanotechnology promises the possibility of changing the digital print process. The possibility of a wider color gamut, a lower cost per impression, and the ability to print on a significantly wider range of media is something that has implications for the print industry and anyone that utilizes print as part of their media efforts. While it is still far from being considered mainstream, this technology has the potential to significantly disrupt the graphic communications industry in the years ahead. The next 12 months will be a good indicator as to whether the nanotechnology process is ready for prime time.