Printing is a process whereby text and images are reproduced on various materials. There are different printing methods and depending on the printing method different types of inks are used. Inks used in printing can be classified into 4 different categories such as aqueous, liquid, paste and powder.
Paste inks:
Paste is often used in offset printing and there are different types of paste inks such as cold set, heat set and energy curable ones. Some of the different energy curable sorts are electron beam curable and ultraviolet-curable. While energy curable offers the highest quality print, heat sets are most commonly used. Energy curable ones also require special equipment which makes it one of the most expensive types of inks used in offset printing.
The heat set one requires heat to set it and then it is cooled rapidly as it catalyses the curing process. In cold-set inks, it is set by using the phenomenon of absorption into the stocks that are non-coated. Cold set ones are usually used for printing books, newspapers, insert printing and are the most cost-effective option if you are on a tight budget.
Solvent ink:
Solvent ink comprises a mixture of organic chemical compounds and volatile organic compounds. These ingredients have high vapour pressure and colour in this type of ink is achieved through pigments which makes them resistant to fading. Solvent inks can be used to print on uncoated vinyl substrates and they are cost-effective. Banners, billboards, graphics and decals are typically printed using solvent ink. The main advantage of using solvent ink for printing is that the prints are UV resistant and waterproof however the downside to using this is the disposal of the solvent and the vapour produced by the solvent.
Aqueous ink:
Aqueous inks are primarily used in desktop inkjet printers. These comprise a mixture of pigments or dyes, glycol and water. Aqueous offer the vivid and a variety of colour options the only disadvantage of this ink is that it is not waterproof and can be washed away from the surface without lamination or specialized coating to protect the ink. Aqueous inks are also inexpensive to manufacture.
UV curable inks:
UV curable inks have acrylic monomers coupled with an initiator package. After the printing job is completed the printed material is exposed to strong UV light which cures the ink. The main advantage of this ink is that it dries quickly and the disadvantage is that they are very expensive.
These are some of the different types of inks used in commercial printing services.
It can be a fairly complex process but don’t feel overwhelmed, reach out to PrintArt today, and explain your needs. Their customer service department will put together a cost-effective quote and help your vision come to reality!
PrintArt – Accurate Die Cutting
413 Interchange St.
McKinney, TX 75071
972.562.7921
https://www.printart-adc.com
