We all use ink and many of us use it every day, but we rarely stop and think about the ingredients in our ink. There are actually several different kinds of inks, from those used for standard printing to inks used for fabric dyes and inks created to print on unusual surfaces such as glass or foil. Here are a few facts about ink that you probably did not know.
Formulas vary by brand and type of ink, but generally speaking, ink has three typical components. Colorant is the first component of ink, and these are made using either dyes or pigments. Dyes have a much wider color range and are less expensive than pigment inks. On the other hand, dyes are more easily affected by water, and this water solubility means that even a single drop of water can ruin your print and that dyes take longer to dry. They also have been known to fade more quickly than pigments.
Pigments, on the other hand, are more expensive and have a lower color range. So why would anyone want pigment inks? These pigment inks are more water resistant and also last longer. Pigment inks also dry very quickly, which gives them another advantage. However, improvements in dye ink have made bleeding and fading much less of a problem. Typically, pigment inks are used on slicker surfaces while dyes are used when you want to showcase really vibrant colors.
The second component of ink is known as the vehicle or the binder. This important component is what forces ink to affix to a surface, such as your piece of paper or perhaps a bag of potato chips or an article of clothing. In addition, the vehicle also is essential in helping the ink flow smoothly from the cartridge or ink source onto the surface or substrate. These binders are made of resin, and there are many varieties of resin used for different types of ink.
Another component of ink is additives, and these have many functions. Each manufacturer has its own formula of additives. These are used to improve drying times, to help ink flow, to improve lubrication and to make an ink more mar resistant. The additives include substances such as oils, including flax seed oil, linseed oil and china wood oil. Petroleum-based oils also are sometimes used, as well as dry or wet waxes. Cobalt and manganese often are used to improve oxidation or drying time.
While you might think that all inks are in liquid form, some also are a dry powder or an ink paste. Many companies that use industrial coders mix the ink base with make-up fluids and then add it to their printers. For some printers, such as id coders, you can purchase lower cost inks and make-up from a product id company that creates generic versions of Altima ink, Domino ink, Imaje ink and other major brands. This is an excellent way to save money on ink, which can be a big expense.
Formulas vary by brand and type of ink, but generally speaking, ink has three typical components. Colorant is the first component of ink, and these are made using either dyes or pigments. Dyes have a much wider color range and are less expensive than pigment inks. On the other hand, dyes are more easily affected by water, and this water solubility means that even a single drop of water can ruin your print and that dyes take longer to dry. They also have been known to fade more quickly than pigments.
Pigments, on the other hand, are more expensive and have a lower color range. So why would anyone want pigment inks? These pigment inks are more water resistant and also last longer. Pigment inks also dry very quickly, which gives them another advantage. However, improvements in dye ink have made bleeding and fading much less of a problem. Typically, pigment inks are used on slicker surfaces while dyes are used when you want to showcase really vibrant colors.
The second component of ink is known as the vehicle or the binder. This important component is what forces ink to affix to a surface, such as your piece of paper or perhaps a bag of potato chips or an article of clothing. In addition, the vehicle also is essential in helping the ink flow smoothly from the cartridge or ink source onto the surface or substrate. These binders are made of resin, and there are many varieties of resin used for different types of ink.
Another component of ink is additives, and these have many functions. Each manufacturer has its own formula of additives. These are used to improve drying times, to help ink flow, to improve lubrication and to make an ink more mar resistant. The additives include substances such as oils, including flax seed oil, linseed oil and china wood oil. Petroleum-based oils also are sometimes used, as well as dry or wet waxes. Cobalt and manganese often are used to improve oxidation or drying time.
While you might think that all inks are in liquid form, some also are a dry powder or an ink paste. Many companies that use industrial coders mix the ink base with make-up fluids and then add it to their printers. For some printers, such as id coders, you can purchase lower cost inks and make-up from a product id company that creates generic versions of Altima ink, Domino ink, Imaje ink and other major brands. This is an excellent way to save money on ink, which can be a big expense.
About the Author:
Keren Kipfer loves researching products for industrial manufacturers such as ink jet printers. For more details about VideoJet fluids for your printers or to discover a CIJ inkjet printer, please check out the PrintJet.net website today.