What is the Difference Between Solvent, Eco-Solvent, Latex & UV Inkjet Inks?

What is the Difference Between Solvent, Eco-Solvent, Latex & UV Inkjet Inks?

Wide-format inkjet printers have made it easier and more cost-effective to print large format media, such as posters, billboards, and banners. As you explore the options, you are likely to discover different inks, such as solvent, latex, eco-solvent ink, UV curable ink, and latex—and all these choices can make it overwhelming to determine which printer and ink technology to use. You may even wonder how these options compare with aqueous dye inks, which have already become obsolete.

If you own a wide format printing business, you may have multiple printers to accommodate different print jobs and each machine is likely to use a specific ink chemistry. Your customer will likely ask for your advice regarding which inks are best for their materials and intended application. This is why it’s important to educate yourself about the differences and capabilities of the various types of wide format printing inks available today. Here is an overview and some comparisons to help you out: Solvent inks Because dye-based inks were deemed unsuitable for outdoor applications, ink manufacturers started looking into other solutions that will make banners and billboards last longer even when constantly exposed to the elements. Enter solvent inks. They are formulated with an oil-based hydrocarbon compound as the carrier, plus a pigment to form the ink’s colorant component. They also contain a resin.

Pigment-based inks won’t stain media (unlike liquid dyes). Rather, their microscopic solid particles sit on the substrate that’s being printed on. They are water-insoluble, too, which makes them more durable than dye. This makes them last longer and less likely to fade under direct sunlight.

Solvent inks are ideal for printing on coated plastic substrates such as vinyl and flex banners. The results may appear grainy and a bit coarse up close, but since they are meant to be viewed from afar, this graininess is not obvious.

Eco-solvent inks

The eco solvent ink uses a mild solvent carrier and can be used on non-coated or minimally-coated media, unlike its dye-based counterparts. This makes it cost-effective for wide format printing. The pigment-based formulation makes it resistant to sunlight and water, too. It can produce image quality that matches the output of high-quality dye-based inks. This type of ink can be used on a wide range of media, like vinyl and flex, as well as mesh films, tarpaulin, night glow film, metal foils, artificial leather, canvas, and backlit, glass, or radium reflective films.

UV inks One of the latest ink technologies is UV curable ink, which is formulated with four components: pigments, monomers, oligomers, and photoinitiators. The ink is delivered in liquid form on the print media, and then the UV lamp in the printer works to trigger the photoinitiator. This creates a chemical reaction between oligomeric and monomeric molecules in the ink to form a plastic coat, which is water-insoluble and fixes the ink firmly onto the media. The results are resistant to scuffs and scratches as well as rain and sunlight, without the need for lamination. UV inks may also be used to create prints with an embossed or raised effect.

Latex inks HP pioneered latex inks, which use water as a carrier and water-insoluble pigments for the colorant. Microscopic polymer particles are part of the formulation, too. Basically, latex inks resolved the fume problem associated with solvent inks. They are biodegradable and durable for both outdoor and indoor applications, and they can deliver vibrant colors.