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.
Even when you use the same type of ink, every brand is just a little bit different from another one. However, you typically will find that there are three components found in the majority of all inks, one of which is the colorant. This comes from one of two sources, either a pigment or a dye. The advantages of dyes include the immense range of vivid colors and the cost, which is typically quite a bit lower. On the flip side, dye inks do tend to bleed and run and take longer to dry. They also fade more quickly than pigment-based colorants.
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.
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.
Even when you use the same type of ink, every brand is just a little bit different from another one. However, you typically will find that there are three components found in the majority of all inks, one of which is the colorant. This comes from one of two sources, either a pigment or a dye. The advantages of dyes include the immense range of vivid colors and the cost, which is typically quite a bit lower. On the flip side, dye inks do tend to bleed and run and take longer to dry. They also fade more quickly than pigment-based colorants.
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.
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 enjoys researching products for industrial manufacturers such as ink jet printers. To get further details about VideoJet fluids for your printers or to find a CIJ inkjet printer, please check out the PrintJet.net site today.
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