The commonality and individuality of the inkjet inks

Digital inkjet ink can be divided into water and solvent. Divided by solvent, can be divided into water-based and non-water-based / ink. Water-based ink can be divided into pigment type, dye type, and sublimation ink according to the color material classification. Non-water-based ink can be divided into oil pigment ink and solvent type pigment ink. From a chemical point of view, oil is also one of the solvents. We refer to them collectively as non-water based inks. In addition, there is a UV-curable ink that is rarely mentioned in the country. Inkjet ink can be roughly divided into these six categories.

Advantages and disadvantages of various inkjet inks:

Water-based dye inks: The advantage is bright colors, because it is made of water, volatile water, no harm to the environment, more environmentally friendly; the disadvantage is very easy to fade, generally only used indoors.

Pigment ink: The advantage is good lightfastness; the disadvantage is darker colors.

Water-based sublimation inks: The advantage is that they can be transferred to different media, not just paper. Such as ceramics, glass. Many different media can be transferred in the past; the disadvantage is that operating procedures are cumbersome and expensive.

Solvent Ink: Since oil-soluble inks are made of pigments, the advantages are odorless and good lightfastness; the disadvantages are expensive and must be printed on coated media.

Solvent inks: Because they are pigments, the advantages are lightfastness, good water resistance, and they can be printed on any media. The disadvantage is that the oil base used by the ink itself is flammable, it is a dangerous product, and it has a strong taste, causing some harm to the human body.

UV curable ink: The advantage is that the ink itself does not contain volatile solvents, and after curing, the light resistance and water resistance are very good, so it is suitable for the printing industry; the disadvantage is that some of its monomers are easy to cure before it is cured. Causes allergic reactions in some people.

Market and application of various inks

These inks are recognized in the market as having several key factors:

1, the price, the domestic market price has declined from multiple times before.

2, application requirements, in some special areas of application, the general water-based pigment ink, dye ink does not achieve the desired effect, so you must use some special-purpose inks, such as sublimation ink. It can be printed on ceramics, metals, fabrics.

3, environmental protection requirements, especially in the European market, the control of ink, ink cartridges is very strict, there are a variety of legal provisions, but in the domestic market can be seen now solvent ink is very popular, the current government has not yet been certain for this industry Environmental protection requirements. In the domestic market, price is a major determinant. In the European, American and Japanese markets, they are more concerned with quality, safety, and environmental protection.

Future trend forecast

The proportion of water-based dye inks used indoors will increase

Because some new applications, such as digital printing, photo printing, and prepress printing, require the use of some ink that does not fade, is lightfast, and can be stored, water-based pigment inks/meters are a trend in the future.

Solvent Pigment Ink Needs Further Standardization, Specialization, and Environmental Protection

Some product specifications and safety indicators should be formulated. Solvent-based inks are currently working towards these aspects. Some highly corrosive, solvent-based inks will slowly be replaced in the future.

Oil-based pigmented inks are limited to certain special industrial applications - such as the oil industry

Sublimation inks and UV-curable inks are relatively rare in China, but they have their own unique advantages and characteristics. Both of these technologies are increasing abroad.

Eco-friendly ink is the direction of future efforts.