At IMS, we often talk about inkjet printers! The inkjet print method has many advantages, such as on-demand,  in-house printing, with high print speeds and exceptional image quality.

Even though color printer technologies are different from one product line to another, all inkjet printers can adapt to your needs.

Read this previous post in which we explain the advantages of inkjet printing In detail

Inks for inkjet printers

Inkjet printers can use dye or pigment inks. The inks used will depend on the model of the printer.

Our dye-based inkjet printers

Our pigment-based inkjet printers

Dye-based ink

Dye inks are made up of synthetic or natural dyes (from plants, for example).

They diffuse little light and provide saturated and bright colors when printing. Also, dye-based ink provides excellent color dispersion, preserving the glossy appearance of the paper.

When printing with a dye ink, the molecules spread out uniformly on the paper. However, dyes are sensitive to light and moisture and therefore dye-based inks should sometimes be avoided depending on the project. indeed the longevity of the prints can be reduced in more rugged applications.

Finally, dye-based ink cartridges are cheaper, perfect for office prints which are not exposed to an environment that can alter the color quality.

Pigment-based ink

Pigment-based inks contain organic molecules encapsulated in a synthetic resin before being placed in suspension in a liquid. Pigment inks molecules are larger and better resist external forces such as light and ozone moisture, than dye inks

Pigment inks are less fluid, they stick to paper and dry quickly without ever penetrating the paper. With this type of ink, it’s also possible to adjust more precisely the colors, shades, gradients …Their accuracy is better than that of dye inks.

Finally, the cost of pigment inks is slightly higher than that of dye-based inks.

Dye-based or pigment-based ink: how to choose?

It’s important to choose the right printer for your needs. Indeed, if your labels need to resist high levels of UV, moisture or chemicals, then pigment-based inks are recommended. On the other hand, dye ink will be quite satisfactory if your needs are for vibrant graphics with less emphasis to resisting UV, moisture or chemicals. These fit well with Dry goods, hardware, etc. Bear in mind that some dye based inks are quite robust with certain inkjet materials, so testing these combinations is sometimes the best solution. Generally Inkjet printer cartridges are chipped allowing you to only use the correct inks with the designated Printer. You should never use grey market refills, as the risk of damaging your equipment is increased if there is any mismatch in the inks.

Need advice on our printers?

We are here to answer your questions and help you select the best printer to meet your requirements. Contact us!

READ
MORE