All ink: Understanding the differences between ink technologies for display graphics

Choosing the right ink technology is critical for anyone looking to enter the display graphics market or expand their existing capabilities. Each ink technology offers different benefits in terms of application, substrate compatibility and environmental impact.

drupa 2024 showcased the evolution of printing technology for wide format display graphics in all its breadth. Exhibitors showcased their latest technologies to meet the growing demand for high-quality, versatile and sustainable solutions. But for all the advances in hardware, the choice of the right printing equipment is ultimately determined by the product to be printed. Each type of ink offers unique benefits and applications, and drupa provided an ideal platform for visitors to get a hands-on overview of all the options.

Traditionally used for outdoor applications, solvent inks offer good durability, water resistance and lightfastness. However, they are largely made up of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are problematic from both a handling and environmental point of view. They are typically used for printing on a variety of roll media such as paper, vinyl, film and the like.  At drupa, eco-solvent inks were discussed as an alternative, as they are less toxic and harmful to the environment.

Water-based inks are ideal for high-quality indoor applications, but often require coated substrates. Aqueous Inks are therefore only partially an environmentally friendly alternative, but are not suitable for plastics or vinyl.

UV-curing inks are becoming increasingly important due to their versatility and instant drying. They enable high quality printing on a wide range of substrates, including plastics and board, and meet the industry's sustainability requirements with their low environmental impact. LED UV curing offers energy-efficient solutions without compromising print quality.

Leading brands such as HP, Epson and Roland have brought their latest latex and resin-based inks to drupa. They can be printed on a wide range of materials with minimal environmental impact. Fast drying and suitable for indoor and outdoor applications, latex inks are the preferred choice for print service providers who value flexibility.

With the boom in digital textile printing, dye-sublimation inks were naturally an important topic at drupa. This technology, in which the solvent is evaporated under pressure and heat and the colour is transferred to textiles and other surfaces, is widely used for apparel, home textiles and promotional items. The direct-to-substrate innovations presented at the show demonstrated the expanded application possibilities resulting from the continuous development of this technology.

Canon's proprietary UV gel ink technology enables high-speed production with exceptional colour accuracy. By separating the printing and curing processes, UV Gel enables faster output without compromising quality, making it an attractive solution for high-volume production of display graphics.

The possibilities for producing display graphics are evolving rapidly, driven by innovations in ink technology, sustainability efforts and the growing demand for personalisation. But for all the innovation, it is always the desired end product that determines which ink technology will deliver the best results.