Digital printing inks are similar to other inks and paints. All of these
products consist of two basic components:
a colorant (dye or pigment) and a liquid carrier or vehicle. The varieties of digital printing inks
include aqueous inks, solvent inks, ecosolvent inks, latex inks and UV-curable
inks. With so many choices available in
wide format printing, considerations in ink selection include compatibility
with the substrates, application, durability, brightness of color and cost.
If an application requires longevity, pigment inks are much more durable
than dye-based inks. Those pigments that that fade after a short period of time
are referred to as “fugitive colors”. While pigments are viewed a producing
less vibrant images, improvements in ink technology has expanded the color
gamut. For outdoor applications, such as vehicle graphics and outdoor
advertising, pigmented inks are usually preferred.
than dye-based inks. Those pigments that that fade after a short period of time
are referred to as “fugitive colors”. While pigments are viewed a producing
less vibrant images, improvements in ink technology has expanded the color
gamut. For outdoor applications, such as vehicle graphics and outdoor
advertising, pigmented inks are usually preferred.
In the digital printing field, pigment inks, however, have been
associated with metameric color shifts. Advances in ink formulation have
reduced many of the problems associated with metamerism. Dye-based inks, by
comparison are less metameric.
associated with metameric color shifts. Advances in ink formulation have
reduced many of the problems associated with metamerism. Dye-based inks, by
comparison are less metameric.
The advantage of a dye-based ink is its bright colors. For this reason,
these inks were selected for indoor applications, such as P.O.P. posters and
displays and photographic prints. The downside of dye-based ink was that you
sacrificed durability. While fade resistance has improved greatly with new
color formulations, the more vibrant dye-based inks generally exhibit a much
lower resistance to UV light.
these inks were selected for indoor applications, such as P.O.P. posters and
displays and photographic prints. The downside of dye-based ink was that you
sacrificed durability. While fade resistance has improved greatly with new
color formulations, the more vibrant dye-based inks generally exhibit a much
lower resistance to UV light.
Aqueous Inks. Aqueous inks were popular in the
Point-Of-Purchase industry for printing posters. Most of these inks are
dye-based, although today pigment inks are also available. The dye-based inks
produced very vibrant colors, which were perfect for indoor applications.
Printed images are quite often very close to photographic quality, which is why
photographers have preferred these printers to output their work. The
shortcomings of the dye-based inks were that their durability was limited and
not suitable for outdoor applications. In addition, print media required top
coatings to achieve good image reproduction and ensure good adhesion to
substrates, such as vinyl films.
Point-Of-Purchase industry for printing posters. Most of these inks are
dye-based, although today pigment inks are also available. The dye-based inks
produced very vibrant colors, which were perfect for indoor applications.
Printed images are quite often very close to photographic quality, which is why
photographers have preferred these printers to output their work. The
shortcomings of the dye-based inks were that their durability was limited and
not suitable for outdoor applications. In addition, print media required top
coatings to achieve good image reproduction and ensure good adhesion to
substrates, such as vinyl films.
Solvent Inks. Many of the solvent inks were popular,
because they provide good adhesion to vinyl films and banner substrates. These
oil-based pigmented inks also provided five to seven years of outdoor
durability. These printers, however,
generate high levels of VOCs and require ventilation.
because they provide good adhesion to vinyl films and banner substrates. These
oil-based pigmented inks also provided five to seven years of outdoor
durability. These printers, however,
generate high levels of VOCs and require ventilation.
Eco-solvent Inks. Eco-solvent inks were developed as a more
used friendly alternative to the strong solvent inks for shops that don’t print
every day. These light solvent inks, which utilize a mineral oil as a vehicle,
are less likely to clog than the fast drying strong solvent inks and require
less maintenance. For the most part, you can print on the same types of media
that you use for the solvent inks. There
are a variety of ink sets with expanded ranges of color that are available in
the ecosolvent category. These pigments inks provide good durability for
outdoor applications, such as vehicle graphics, and good image reproduction for
indoor applications, such as P.O.P displays, tradeshow and museum graphics. The
downside of these inks is that they don’t dry as fast as the solvent. That
means that if you need to laminate the prints, which is often the case for
outdoor applications, you will need to wait for the ink to outgas, which
usually requires a 24-hour waiting period before lamination.
used friendly alternative to the strong solvent inks for shops that don’t print
every day. These light solvent inks, which utilize a mineral oil as a vehicle,
are less likely to clog than the fast drying strong solvent inks and require
less maintenance. For the most part, you can print on the same types of media
that you use for the solvent inks. There
are a variety of ink sets with expanded ranges of color that are available in
the ecosolvent category. These pigments inks provide good durability for
outdoor applications, such as vehicle graphics, and good image reproduction for
indoor applications, such as P.O.P displays, tradeshow and museum graphics. The
downside of these inks is that they don’t dry as fast as the solvent. That
means that if you need to laminate the prints, which is often the case for
outdoor applications, you will need to wait for the ink to outgas, which
usually requires a 24-hour waiting period before lamination.
Latex Inks. Latex inks combine the best of both worlds. Because the
inks utilize pigment colorants, which provides great outdoor durability. In
addition, the inks are water based, so they dry quickly, which minimizes
production delays. What’s more, they adhere to a wide range of uncoated media,
including paper, vinyl films, heat transfer films and banner material. Unlike solvent and ecosolvent inks, there emit
no VOCs. One problem with these printers is heat. To dry the water-based inks
these systems use high heat. This can cause warping problems with heat
sensitive media.
inks utilize pigment colorants, which provides great outdoor durability. In
addition, the inks are water based, so they dry quickly, which minimizes
production delays. What’s more, they adhere to a wide range of uncoated media,
including paper, vinyl films, heat transfer films and banner material. Unlike solvent and ecosolvent inks, there emit
no VOCs. One problem with these printers is heat. To dry the water-based inks
these systems use high heat. This can cause warping problems with heat
sensitive media.
UV-Curable Inks. Another printing ink that produces extremely
low VOC emissions is UV-Curable ink. When exposed to UV radiation, these inks
polymerize and cure instantly. None of the ink ingredients evaporate into the
atmosphere. 100% of the ink printed on the substrate remains on the substrate.
The pigment is encapsulated within the cured film, which provides a heavy and durable
deposit of ink. In addition to being environmentally friendly, these inks
adhere to a wide range of substrates including rigid substrates and films. The
quality of printing is suitable for indoor applications, such as P.O.P.
displays as well as for outdoor applications, such as vinyl graphics and
banners.
low VOC emissions is UV-Curable ink. When exposed to UV radiation, these inks
polymerize and cure instantly. None of the ink ingredients evaporate into the
atmosphere. 100% of the ink printed on the substrate remains on the substrate.
The pigment is encapsulated within the cured film, which provides a heavy and durable
deposit of ink. In addition to being environmentally friendly, these inks
adhere to a wide range of substrates including rigid substrates and films. The
quality of printing is suitable for indoor applications, such as P.O.P.
displays as well as for outdoor applications, such as vinyl graphics and
banners.
Conclusion. Over the years, ink manufacturers have made significant
improvements to both dye-based and pigmented digital printing inks. Dye-based
inks have become more durable. Pigmented inks have become more vibrant. Nevertheless,
for outdoor applications, pigmented inks are still your best choice.
improvements to both dye-based and pigmented digital printing inks. Dye-based
inks have become more durable. Pigmented inks have become more vibrant. Nevertheless,
for outdoor applications, pigmented inks are still your best choice.
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About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.
Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer. Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.
Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for publications, such as Signs Canada, SignCraft, Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 450 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published. Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon.
© 2017 Jim Hingst
