We all use ink and many of us use it every day, but we rarely stop and think about the ingredients in our ink. There are actually several different kinds of inks, from those used for standard printing to inks used for fabric dyes and inks created to print on unusual surfaces such as glass or foil. Here are a few facts about ink that you probably did not know.
Formulas vary by brand and type of ink, but generally speaking, ink has three typical components. Colorant is the first component of ink, and these are made using either dyes or pigments. Dyes have a much wider color range and are less expensive than pigment inks. On the other hand, dyes are more easily affected by water, and this water solubility means that even a single drop of water can ruin your print and that dyes take longer to dry. They also have been known to fade more quickly than pigments.
Conversely, pigment inks do tend to last longer and dry more quickly, but they cost quite a bit more than dye inks, and they don't have nearly the vast range of colors. It is important, however, to note that dye inks have been improved to the point where there is very little difference between the two. Still, pigment inks generally are used on slick and glossy surfaces and dye inks are utilized when you are looking for vibrant coloring.
The binder or vehicle is the second component of ink, and it servers several different functions. The binder provides viscosity which helps the ink flow onto the substrate, which is the object on which the ink is placed. This could be paper, fabric, plastic or some other surface. The binder, typically made from different kinds of resin, also helps get the ink to adhere to whatever you are printing on.
Another component of ink is additives, and these have many functions. Each manufacturer has its own formula of additives. These are used to improve drying times, to help ink flow, to improve lubrication and to make an ink more mar resistant. The additives include substances such as oils, including flax seed oil, linseed oil and china wood oil. Petroleum-based oils also are sometimes used, as well as dry or wet waxes. Cobalt and manganese often are used to improve oxidation or drying time.
You can find inks in dry powder form, as a liquid or even a paste. If you work at a business that uses an industrial printer, you will need to purchase both ink and make-up fluid. While this can be costly, there are companies that formulate inks for id coders. These companies produce Domino ink, VideoJet ink and all other major brands at much lower costs than directly from the manufacturer.
Formulas vary by brand and type of ink, but generally speaking, ink has three typical components. Colorant is the first component of ink, and these are made using either dyes or pigments. Dyes have a much wider color range and are less expensive than pigment inks. On the other hand, dyes are more easily affected by water, and this water solubility means that even a single drop of water can ruin your print and that dyes take longer to dry. They also have been known to fade more quickly than pigments.
Conversely, pigment inks do tend to last longer and dry more quickly, but they cost quite a bit more than dye inks, and they don't have nearly the vast range of colors. It is important, however, to note that dye inks have been improved to the point where there is very little difference between the two. Still, pigment inks generally are used on slick and glossy surfaces and dye inks are utilized when you are looking for vibrant coloring.
The binder or vehicle is the second component of ink, and it servers several different functions. The binder provides viscosity which helps the ink flow onto the substrate, which is the object on which the ink is placed. This could be paper, fabric, plastic or some other surface. The binder, typically made from different kinds of resin, also helps get the ink to adhere to whatever you are printing on.
Another component of ink is additives, and these have many functions. Each manufacturer has its own formula of additives. These are used to improve drying times, to help ink flow, to improve lubrication and to make an ink more mar resistant. The additives include substances such as oils, including flax seed oil, linseed oil and china wood oil. Petroleum-based oils also are sometimes used, as well as dry or wet waxes. Cobalt and manganese often are used to improve oxidation or drying time.
You can find inks in dry powder form, as a liquid or even a paste. If you work at a business that uses an industrial printer, you will need to purchase both ink and make-up fluid. While this can be costly, there are companies that formulate inks for id coders. These companies produce Domino ink, VideoJet ink and all other major brands at much lower costs than directly from the manufacturer.
About the Author:
Keren Kipfer enjoys researching products for industrial manufacturers such as ink jet printers. For more information about VideoJet fluids for your printers or to discover a CIJ inkjet printer, please visit the PrintJet site today.
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