| When you do your research on large-format | | | | the ink evaporates. |
| printing, you will inevitably encounter the term | | | | Solvent inks require heat in order for the printout |
| "solvent inks." Solvent inks are a popular type of | | | | to dry. The mild inks take some time to dry and |
| ink in the print service provider industry, often | | | | require a lot of heat. On the other hand, the |
| used for outdoor signage and banner advertising. | | | | aggressive types are easier to dry and need less |
| You may even read about some bad press about | | | | heat to get this done. In addition, aggressive |
| solvent inks in your research. | | | | solvents result in printouts that are more durable |
| What are solvent inks? Basically, a solvent ink is | | | | against the weather, are resistant to fading and |
| any kind of ink that does not have water as its | | | | resistant to scratching. |
| base. There are many so-called classifications for | | | | What about the Bad Rep? |
| this type of ink. There are solvent inks that are | | | | Currently, solvent inks suffer from a bad |
| classified as mild or eco-friendly, while some are | | | | reputation, often thought of as a hazard to a |
| categorized as aggressive. | | | | person's health and the environment. While it is |
| How Solvent Inks Work | | | | true that solvent inks do have harmful chemicals |
| What makes solvent inks different from | | | | in them and their usage is controlled by local |
| water-based ink or any other ink inside the printer | | | | government laws, there are ways to take |
| ink cartridge? Aside from the fact that solvent | | | | advantage of the benefits of this ink without |
| inks are not based on water, they are pigment | | | | causing long-term health problems or without |
| inks. Water-based inks are dye inks, by contrast. | | | | creating environmental problems. |
| Pigment inks are necessary to ensure that the | | | | Thus, when you buy solvent inks, make sure that |
| outdoor signage materials to be printed are | | | | you read the material safety data sheet or MSDS |
| impervious to the elements, will not fade easily, | | | | for the ink. If the MSDS is not included in the |
| and are resistant to scratches. | | | | package of the ink, you can definitely download it |
| Solvent inks work best with non-absorbent and | | | | from the manufacturer's website. Read the MSDS |
| uncoated printing media, such as self-adhesive | | | | thoroughly, study what chemicals make up the |
| vinyl. The solvent in the ink is supposed to keep | | | | ink, and follow the safety instructions indicated |
| the pigments in liquid form while they are applied | | | | there to the letter. |
| on the printing medium using the large-format | | | | You should also implement some basic safety |
| printer. Because the printing medium is uncoated | | | | precautions in your printing shop when you use |
| and non-absorbent, the ink is usually formulated | | | | solvent inks with large-format printers. Work in a |
| with adhesive resins or glues that are supposed | | | | place that is well-ventilated, wear protective |
| to help the pigments bind with the printing | | | | clothing if you have to, and be very careful not to |
| medium. The binding happens when the solvent in | | | | get the substance in your eyes or on your skin. |