Four Digital Inkjet Ink Types Explained: How Water-Based, Oil-Based, Solvent-Based and UV/EB Systems Differ

Digital inkjet technology now reaches a broad array of everyday printing applications, yet the ink used helps determine where it performs best. When sorted by binder, digital inkjet inks are generally placed into four groups: water-based, oil-based, solvent-based and UV/EB thermosetting.

1. Water-Based Inks

These inks are commonly deployed on porous or uncoated substrates, including paperboard and paper, and they also appear frequently in direct mail and other commercial printing work. They split into pigment-based and dye-based formats: because pigments do not dissolve in water and tend to settle, their particles must be milled below 30μm for satisfactory jetting; otherwise, high-resolution output may suffer from clogging. Pigment-based inks deliver strong weather resistance, light fastness, wash fastness and abrasion resistance, while dye-based inks offer reliable solubility, a broad color range and good vividness, albeit with weaker fastness.

1. Oil-Based Inks

Oil-based inks dry through absorption, making them a good fit for porous materials. Their formulations may include vegetable oil or mineral oil, and they are especially prominent in paperboard packaging; however, because they can contribute to air pollution, they are not well suited to enclosed office spaces.

The colorants used in this category can likewise be pigment-based or dye-based. Oil-soluble inks are known for rapid drying, which explains their relatively frequent use in industrial settings.

1. Solvent-Based Inks

Solvent-based inks cover a broad application range, from signage and barcode printing to outdoor advertising. They dry quickly, work on many substrates and can offer strong economic efficiency, with particular suitability for uncoated materials such as vinyl, mesh, glass and paper.

1. UV/EB Thermosetting Inks

This ink family handles a variety of flexible and rigid substrates, including corrugated board and metal foil. Under UV light, UV/EB inks cure quickly and provide robust durability, making them highly suitable for DOD applications such as point-of-purchase display advertising, phone cards, credit cards and frequently used shopping cards.

As the technological shift toward digital printing continues, inkjet printing is advancing rapidly. UV inkjet printing, regarded as an environmentally friendlier printing route, has been gaining market share quickly; in particular, UV inks used on flatbed UV inkjet equipment have entered a phase of rapid development.

Source: China Packaging Network (pack.cn). Original link: http://news.pack.cn/show-361788.html