Printing ink is a very broad umbrella term, including many types of inks with different applications, such as solid inks or pigmented inks. This variety ensures that prints can be designed uniquely and are adaptive to the needs of the producers and consumers. The following article will dive into the topic of solvent inks, a kind that is based on alcohol instead of water, making it more resistant.
Definition: Solvent ink
Solvent ink often uses alcohol as its carrier fluid, but other types of chemicals can be used as a medium in addition to the pigment and resin components. Generally, solvent inks are categorized into three sections:
- True solvents/hard solvents
- Mild solvents
- Light solvents
This depends on how aggressive and dangerous the chemicals are.
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Applications and limitations
Solvent inks adhere to almost every surface and are especially durable, which makes them ideal for outdoor products such as banners, synthetic fabrics, and PVC and vinyl items. The ink can be used in any inkjet printer, but only if no other ink has been used before or the printer has been cleaned. It is not recommended to accidentally mix different types of inks.
One of the biggest limitations is how easily the print head can get clogged. This is due to the fact that alcohol has a lower temperature, at which it evaporates, leaving only the pigments behind. Therefore, the printer has to be cleaned regularly. Another limitation in application is especially that it will not stick properly to porous surfaces such as paper or natural cloth, making it inapplicable for most everyday printing jobs.
Advantages and disadvantages
Solvent ink has many advantages and disadvantages to consider before deciding on using it.
Advantages
- Fade-proof, waterproof, scratch-resistant
- Eco-solvent inks are relatively sustainable
- Strong durability even outdoors
- True and mild solvent inks are cheaper
Disadvantages
- Flammability due to the alcohol or oil-like base and volatile character
- Hard solvent inks pose health risks
- Eco-solvents can be pricey
- Easy clogging of the print head
True, mild, and light solvents
Solvent inks can be differentiated into three types: true/hard, mild, and light solvents, depending on how chemically intensive the solvent is.
Hard or true solvent inks are designed to dissolve the surface layer of vinyl plates that are printed on, so the pigment can unify with the polymers to form a durable bond. Due to the heavy chemicals, true solvent inks were not suitable for indoor prints, as the chemicals would be emitted and strain the health of the people in the room. Depending on the type of hard solvent, the disposal also had to follow a special procedure to prevent the chemicals from endangering nature.
Examples
- Outdoor signs and graphics
- Product packaging, especially foil printing
- Industrial marking for machines
Mild solvent inks are more eco-friendly than hard solvents but still contain several chemicals. They pose a compromise between sustainability and durability that is often preferred. The print is less long-lasting than that of hard solvent inks, but it can be laminated for longer preservation after the chemicals have evaporated completely.
Examples
- Banners and outdoor signs
- Vehicle wraps
- Window clings
Light solvent inks, also referred to as eco-solvent inks, have the least amount of volatile organic chemicals. They can be used indoors and outdoors while still maintaining vibrancy and durability, even though they might not be as strong as hard solvents.
Examples
- Textile printing
- Wall decorations, posters, indoor signs, and graphics
- Flyers, promotional materials, packaging
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FAQs
Solvent ink is a type of printing ink that uses alcohol or other oil-based chemicals as the carrier fluid. These can either be highly volatile and health-threatening or more eco-friendly, depending on what they consist of. Generally, solvent inks produce highly durable and vibrant prints, which are especially suited for the outdoors.
There are three types of solvent ink: hard/true solvent, mild solvent, and light solvent, named after how aggressive the volatile organic chemicals in the base fluid are.
Solvent inks, in general, are not the most eco-friendly types of printing ink, as they contain volatile organic chemicals. True solvent inks, however, contain a large amount of these, while the eco-solvent type contains the least amount possible to still have durability capabilities.
