The process of choosing may seem relatively simple, but if you’re just entering the digital printing market, it’s natural to have doubts. It’s therefore essential to have the right information to achieve better printing results and win over new customers.
In order for you to make the best decision for your business, in this article we present the main characteristics of each type of technology and the respective inks, as well as the best way to use them.
Printing technologies… Which one should I choose?
Textile
For each raw material there is a more appropriate type of ink. The choice of ink must take into account the level of fastness to various factors, such as light, washing, dry and wet rubbing, seawater, sweat and dry cleaning.
The choice of ink to meet the requirements must be made according to the specifications or the fastness to be achieved. There are many classes of dyes that have no relevance to digital textile printing and we won’t be discussing these in this article.
Solvent
It is one of the most widely used technologies on the market and is ideal for applications on self-adhesive vinyl and canvas. When we talk about inks, we’re talking about an oil-based solution that contains pigments and resin in its composition. When printed, the solvent is evaporated or eliminated through the heat connected to the printer, leaving only the pigment on the surface.
Because it is an oil-based solution, the composition of the ink is very corrosive, which makes it easy for the print head to clog. For this reason, we recommend regular cleaning of the printheads to ensure proper operation.
When estimating the time needed to complete the job, you should bear in mind that solvent inks need a minimum of 24 hours to release all the gases from the material before being laminated. This should take place in a well-ventilated area due to the intense smell.
Eco solvent
The great thing about inks using this type of technology is that, as well as being practically odorless, they have fewer chemical solvents in their composition, making them less harmful to both health and the environment.
They are suitable for a variety of materials, including POS pieces, banners, wallpaper and vinyl. No coatings are needed on the substrates to print with this type of ink.
Like solvent printers, eco-solvent printers also use heat for evaporation. The drying time is a minimum of 24 hours, so a waiting period is required before the printed material can be laminated.
In terms of colors, in addition to the CMYK standard, it is possible to print different colors with eco-solvent inks, including white and silver. White is mainly used for printing vinyl and transparent films, without losing visibility. Silver offers the possibility of creating special projects with a big difference, but usually slows down the printer and requires lamination to protect the printed material.
Latex
With regard to latex technology, we are talking about pigmented, water-based inks. There are no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in its composition, so there is no need for ventilated spaces during printing. The ink comes out completely cured and can be laminated immediately afterwards.
UV
The inks used in UV printing technology adapt to any type of surface or substrate. Free of solvents in their composition, they are more sustainable and less harmful to health. Their great advantage is their ability to reproduce high-resolution images with more vivid colors.
In this type of paint, the curing process takes place instantly, preventing the paint from dispersing on the surface. They do not emit volatile organic compounds, eliminating space ventilation during printing.
They are suitable for rigid substrates such as glass, wood, metal and plastic, as well as flexible substrates such as vinyl, fabric and canvas.
Water-based
Liquids are the basis of the type of paints used in this case. They are composed of a coloring element and are mainly suitable for interior applications, POS displays and posters, provided they are laminated. Occasionally, they are used for short-term outdoor printing.
Although these dye inks ensure very vibrant colors, their disadvantage is their lack of resistance to water, atmospheric conditions and UV light sources (e.g. fluorescent lamps).
Moment of choice
Now that you know about the different types of digital printing technologies, you can make a more informed choice about the product that best suits the results you want.
Consider all the options and make the right one to increase your company’s portfolio.
