Classification and difference of ink and material in ink jet printing

The news introduces the classification and difference of ink and material in ink jet printing. Ink jet printing can be classified into three kinds according to the application environment, materials and machines: Dye ink, Eco-solvent ink (outdoor ink, solvent ink) and UV ink (UV curable ink).

It is classified according to chromophore (colorant): 1. Dye ink: Ink based on dye. 2. Pigment ink: Ink based on pigment. 

It is classified according to solvent (dispersing agent): 1. Dye ink: Dissolved chromophore with water and water soluble solvent as the main component.

2. Dissolved chromophore with non-water soluble solvent as the main component. 

Dye ink and solvent ink can be divided into dye ink and pigment ink. Dye ink and solvent ink are not allowed to be mixed in the same print head.

Dye ink, commonly known as water-based ink, belongs to indoor ink. Characteristics: Non-waterproof, non-sunscreen, so it usually needs a layer of protective film (Cold laminating PVC film) to extend storage time. Suitable for all indoor photo machine type (machines using Dye ink). Suitable for PP paper with self-adhesive, PP synthetic paper, photo paper high glossy, water-based backlit PET film and other water-base inkjet media. 

Pigment ink, commonly known as water-based outdoor ink, is a kind of water-based UV ink. Characteristics: Waterproof for a short time, but after printing, it still needs Cold laminating PVC film in order to achieve the ideal waterproof and scratch resistant effect. Suitable for all indoor photo machine types (machines using Dye ink*Pigment). Only suitable for waterproof materials, some glossy materials can also be printed, just quick ink absorption and drying effect is worse than matte. 

Solvent ink is also known as strong solvent ink. Characteristics: Waterproof, sunscreen, strong corrosion, strong permeability, not environmentally friendly, and the picture effects are blurred. Applicable to all outdoor inkjet printer types (large inkjet printer), 370dpi, machine using solvent ink. Suitable for strong solvent materials (e.g.: Flex banner, self-adhesive vinyl, single penetration, water-base PET film, pvc slice, etc.). 

Eco-solvent ink is also known as outdoor environmentally friendly inkjet ink. Characteristics: Waterproof, sunscreen, corrosion and penetration are relatively weaker than those of strong solvent, environmentally friendly, and the picture effects are relatively clear. Suitable for all weak solvent machine types (720dpi, 1440dpi) machines using eco-solvent ink. Suitable for strong solvent materials and weak solvent materials (the substrate material can be basically made into water-based materials and Eco-solvent &Solvnet Inkjet Printing Media, with just technique of ink absorption surface changed, but some products are made for indoor and outdoor simultaneously, and some are made indoor or outdoor if less used ). 

Photo machines and inkjet printers are large inkjet printers. 

Generally, the accuracy of pictures printed by photo machine is relatively high, and the accuracy is generally 1440dpi to 1880dpi; The accuracy of inkjet printer is low, generally 370dpi to 800dpi. Dpi is the abbreviation for Dot Per Inch. The number of dots or lines printed per inch is used to indicate the print resolution of printer. This is one of the main parameters to measure the printing accuracy of printer. Generally speaking, the larger the value is, the higher the printing accuracy of the printer is, the clearer the picture is. 

At present, generally photo machine is small in size and inkjet printer is large in size. 

The printing of inkjet printer is relatively large in size, usually 3.2 meters wide. At present, the widest can be 5 meters wide; Commonly called as： Outdoor machine, solvent ink machine, solvent inkjet printer, large inkjet printer, giant inkjet printer; The nozzle with piezoelectric inkjet technology is adopted for printing; The adapted ink for printing – Eco-solvent ink; Representative materials – flex banner, self-adhesive vinyl, solvent water-base PET film, solvent paper and other material without coating. Products are mainly used in outdoor environment, and there is no need for film (self-adhesive vinyl of some customers is also covered with film).

The printing of photo machine is small in size, usually 1.52 meters wide. It is divided into water-based machine (indoor machine) and weak solvent machine (high definition outdoor machine); The nozzle with hot foam or micro piezoelectric inkjet technology is adopted for printing. Water-based machine adapts to water-based ink, water-based coating materials; Representative of water-based materials – PP paper with self-adhesive, PP synthetic paper, photo paper high glossy, water-based backlit PET film, PVC sheets, and the products need to be filmed, generally used in indoor environment. Weak solvent machine adapts to weak solvent ink; Representative materials – flex banner, self-adhesive vinyl, paper and other weak solvent material; The products do not need to be filmed (self-adhesive vinyl of some customers are also covered with film), and are suitable for indoor and outdoor due to the high picture accuracy. 

Generally speaking, the nozzle determines the ink, and the ink decides the consumables.

Today, there are 3 main technologies in the principle of inkjet printing: 

1. Hot foam inkjet technology 2. Micro piezoelectric inkjet technology 3. Piezoelectric inkjet technology 

Among three kinds of inkjet printing technology, hot foam technology and micro piezo technology have no corrosion, water-based ink and eco-solvent ink can be used, piezoelectric ink supply system and nozzle are resistant to any corrosion, so the solvent ink is used. 

In a word, the above is about the classification and difference of ink and material.