Wide Format Printing: Pros and Cons of Ink Types - Binkink

1. Wide Format Printing: Pros and Cons of Ink Types There’s more to wide format printing than just producing larger printouts. It involves different technologies and methods. Moreover, you have to consider the various inks and processes to match specific printing requirements and satisfy different applications. Aside from the wide format printer latex ink, there are other options like dye-based inks and pigments. This guide will go over the five most widely used inks in the industry to help you differentiate each of them. We will also discuss their pros and cons. 1. Dye inks Dyes are among the most popular types of wide format printer ink. They are aqueous or water-based with their colorant dissolved in water. They tend to be practical for basic printing applications like indoor posters and CAD drawings. Pros: Dye inks create highly saturated images because the liquid ink absorbs into the medium’s fibers. Cons: The inks have minimal ozone and UV stability, so the results are likely to fade fast when exposed to sunlight. Moreover, they’re not water-resistant.

2. 2. Aqueous-based pigmented inks These inks are also water-based, but the colorant is composed of tiny encapsulated pigments or particles suspended in the liquid. When they go on the paper, the particles of color stay on top rather than being absorbed. Pros: Aqueous-based pigmented wide format printer ink is lightfast, ozone resistant, and water resistant. It’s great for printing indoor graphics and posters, canvas prints, and other forms of fine art, as well as for short-term outdoor graphics. Cons: Their saturation is slightly reduced compared to dye inks. Lamination is required if the output must be displayed outdoors for an extended period, which could mean additional costs. 3. Latex inks Wide-format printer latex inks are similar to aqueous-based pigments. The difference is that they contain latex, a type of plastic. When ink is applied to paper, heat is essential to make the water evaporate and leave just the latex particles and pigment on the surface. The heat also ‘melts’ or activates the particles to encapsulate and bind the pigment to the surface. Pros: Latex inks are waterproof and water fast. They can be used on a wide range of media like PVC and uncoated vinyl. Unlike solvents, they don’t produce harmful odors or gases. Cons: Because it requires heat, it can only be used on a limited range of media. This may also mean higher energy costs down the line. 4. Solvent inks

3. Solvent ink is a form of pigmented ink with a chemical-based liquid. Pros: Solvent inks are more durable and waterfast compared to water-based inks. They can be used on uncoated vinyl, PVC, synthetic films, canvas, and paper for outdoor and indoor display applications. Cons: Due to its chemical content and gases, solvent ink can be harmful to the environment and your health. 5. UV-curable inks

4. If you’re looking for an alternative to wide format latex ink, consider using UV-curable ink. It has an aqueous-based liquid with colorants that are typically pigment-based but can be dye-based, too. After printing, the ink must be dried or cured by exposure to ultraviolet light. The ink won’t absorb into the media and it simply dries on the surface after curing. Pros: Suitable for a wide range of materials that can go through the press, including rigid ones like foamboard and plastics. UV-curable inks are also waterproof and suitable for outdoor use.

5. Cons: The inks tend to be costly, including the curing module. The print quality may not be as good as what solvent and water-based inks can produce. Sometimes, the results may crack on a flexible substrate.