Solvent inks
Solvent printing was the first method used in Grand Format
printing. It has excellent performance
and affordability but isn’t very eco-friendly; it requires special ventilation
to avoid exposure to hazardous fumes from the toxic solvents. It also requires some time for the ink to dry
and fully cure. Solvent inks produce a
very durable, scratch-resistant product, perfect for indoors, or outdoor
applications like banners or adhesive graphics.
At Graphics House, we use Solvent ink for all of our mesh banners.
UV inks
A newer method is UV printing, which uses special ink
formulated with chemicals that instantly harden when exposed to ultraviolet
light. UV inks are more environmentally
friendly; because the ink is immediately dried from the UV lamps, there are
virtually no chemicals released into the air and print time is very fast. UV Printing also uses less ink than other
methods because there is very little evaporation and less absorption into the
stock. Another advantage to UV Printing
is that UV inks can print onto almost any substrate that can fit through the
printer, and the color is very resistant to fading. UV ink is less conformable to media that
stretches such as adhesive vinyl, as the ink will begin to crack if excessively
stretched. UV ink is exceptionally tough
and durable, and does not need an over-laminate when being used outdoors the
way that latex and solvent inks do.
Latex inks
Latex inks are the most eco-friendly option. They are water-based, making them non-toxic
and non-flammable. Latex Printers use
heat to rapidly cure the ink to the media.
The final print will be very durable, resistant to water, heat, and
scratches. It’s also flexible, making it perfect for adhesive prints, outdoor
signage, or vehicle wraps. Latex
printing produces high-quality prints with very vibrant color without the
environmental hazards of solvent inks.
