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.
Conversely, pigment inks do tend to last longer and dry more quickly, but they cost quite a bit more than dye inks, and they don't have nearly the vast range of colors. It is important, however, to note that dye inks have been improved to the point where there is very little difference between the two. Still, pigment inks generally are used on slick and glossy surfaces and dye inks are utilized when you are looking for vibrant coloring.
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.
Additives are another component of ink, and while this is all grouped into one single category, there are many different additives used in inks. For example, manganese and cobalt are commonly added as drying agents, and these substances improve the oxidation of ink. Waxes are added to prevent marring. Other substances are adding to improve ink flow and the lubrication. These days soy-based additives often are used because of environmental concerns, but petroleum oils also are still used, as well as other oils.
Ink comes in several different forms, including liquid form, dry or as a paste. Make-up fluids are then added before the inks are used in a printer. If you own an industrial coder, such as a Domino coder, Altima coder or perhaps a VideoJet id printer, you can purchase low-cost, high-quality inks from a product id company that specializes in selling inks, parts and services for those businesses that use id coders.
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.
Conversely, pigment inks do tend to last longer and dry more quickly, but they cost quite a bit more than dye inks, and they don't have nearly the vast range of colors. It is important, however, to note that dye inks have been improved to the point where there is very little difference between the two. Still, pigment inks generally are used on slick and glossy surfaces and dye inks are utilized when you are looking for vibrant coloring.
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.
Additives are another component of ink, and while this is all grouped into one single category, there are many different additives used in inks. For example, manganese and cobalt are commonly added as drying agents, and these substances improve the oxidation of ink. Waxes are added to prevent marring. Other substances are adding to improve ink flow and the lubrication. These days soy-based additives often are used because of environmental concerns, but petroleum oils also are still used, as well as other oils.
Ink comes in several different forms, including liquid form, dry or as a paste. Make-up fluids are then added before the inks are used in a printer. If you own an industrial coder, such as a Domino coder, Altima coder or perhaps a VideoJet id printer, you can purchase low-cost, high-quality inks from a product id company that specializes in selling inks, parts and services for those businesses that use id coders.
About the Author:
Keren Kipfer loves researching products for industrial manufacturers such as ink jet printers. For more information about VideoJet fluids for your printers or to find a CIJ inkjet printer, please visit the PrintJet.net site today.
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