When you are getting into printing, your choice of ink is important. There is no single ink that can accomplish everything, and no printer that can accommodate every type of ink. Your ink configuration to its chemical composition will impact what you can do and what results you can achieve.
It’s essential for businesses to have a solution available no matter what their print requirement. If you know what you need to do, you can narrow down the essential elements. By combining the correct ink technology and print device for your business, you and your customer will have the best chance of getting exactly what you want.
Difference in Ink Technologies
ECO-SOLVENT INK
Eco-solvent ink uses refined oil extracts that are biodegradable and is low in volatile organic compound (or VOC) levels, so it is virtually odourless – requiring no special ventilation or environmental equipment.
Eco-solvent ink is water, scratch and UV resistant and adheres to a wide range of uncoated materials. It can achieve unparalleled image quality and, in the case of the TrueVIS TR2 ink, has expanded gamut ink options including Green and Orange for perfect colour matching.
It is a great option for printing banners, signs, decals, vehicle graphics, packaging and POP’s.
UV INK
UV ink is applied by a print head and immediately cured using UV lamps. UV ink enables high-definition output, including tactile textures and specialty effects for premium applications.
This results in a highly durable finish, and because there’s no time for the ink to absorb or bleed into the substrate, crisp quality is virtually assured, whether you’re printing onto vinyl, plastic, wood, metal or almost any other substrate.
Because UV ink is so versatile, it is a popular choice for both direct-to-object printing and wide format roll-to-roll printing.
UV ink cartridges inside a UV printer
RESIN INK
Resin ink was developed for specific applications and for users requiring high quality print, exceptional colour saturation and the ability to print to a broad range of substrates. Resin ink is fast-drying for fast turnaround times and because it is a water-based solution with low VOC levels, it has reduced environmental impact.
The new TA Resin ink offers natural, vibrant print results that take advantage of the media texture making it a viable option for large format printing on all sorts of applications, such as interior wall graphics, stickers and labels, office and retail graphics, internal décor, and vehicle graphics and wraps.
Ink Certification and Regulation
Most commercially available inks are required to meet standards for chemical safety. These certifications are awarded by official bodies and include accreditations like OKEO-TEX Eco Passport and GREENGUARD. Although most inks will be suitable for typical print applications, some clients, like schools and hospitals, are subject to more stringent rules. If you are targeting these clients, it pays to consider an ink that is appropriate for those environments.
GREENGUARD Gold logo
OEM Inks
Some print professionals are tempted to cut costs by buying inks made by manufacturers other than those approved by the company who developed the hardware. These inks can be cheaper, but this is a short-term saving. Since the devices are only designed to deliver a certain formula of ink, inks by third parties can gradually damage the printer and result in unnecessary downtime and repair costs. Also, most hardware warranties will not cover damage caused by the use of unapproved inks. Finally, there is no guarantee that these third-party inks have passed the certification processes mentioned above.
To find out more about the benefits of OEM inks, read our blog article: Protection and Perfection with Original Roland DG Inks.
Choosing the Right Ink is So Important
Ink defines the performance of the print and the success of the application, so ensuring the right match is crucial to getting the best results for your customer. The printer is responsible for a large part of the production, but the ink is certainly part of the final product, so the technology needs to keep advancing as economic, brand and environmental standards all continue to progress.
If you need assistance choosing the right ink and/or print device for your business, contact us today.