Printer ink: types, features, what is the best to choose

What can quickly and severely spoil both the images and text printed on paper and the printer? Low-quality or inappropriate type of ink. If this consumable is of poor quality and not suitable for the printer, the equipment will break down very quickly. Therefore, it is important to choose the right printer ink.

Types and features of printer ink

There are two most common types of printer ink.

• Pigmented.
• Water-soluble.

Pigment inks are made up of organic substances that are insoluble in water. They are small particles that give color, bound by a polymer and a special solution. Pigment inks can be water resistant. Therefore, they are suitable for imprinting images on advertisements, business cards, flyers. The pigment particles are so fine that they easily pass through the print head system of the equipment. They adhere reliably to the paper. The pigment does not crumble and is not absorbed.

The advantages of pigment ink for the printer:

• High image clarity.
• Colors and shades do not burn out from exposure to light.
• Moisture resistance.

Disadvantages of pigment ink:

• Due to abrasiveness, pigment is more likely to clog the print head system.
• Ink dries faster when the printer is idle.
• Pigment inks do not print on glossy paper.
• High cost of ink.

Water-soluble printer inks consist of water, glycerin and dye. They dry instantly. The dye penetrates deep into the fibers of the paper. Water-based inks accurately reproduce the color and saturation of the image. Since there are no solid impurities in the composition, smooth shade transitions and bright colors are obtained.

If the printer is not used for a long time, water-based inks can dry out, but they can be easily removed. Water-soluble printer inks do not produce as sharp an image as pigment inks. They are suitable for images that will not be in direct sunlight or come into contact with moisture.

Advantages of water-soluble printer ink:

• High quality color reproduction.
• Can be printed on a variety of paper types.
• The ink penetrates deeply into the material.
• The ink does not spoil for a long time when the printer is idle and can be easily removed if it dries.
• Low cost.

Disadvantages of water-soluble printer ink:

• The image blurs from moisture.
• Colors lose brightness when exposed to light.
• Water-soluble ink is not suitable for double-sided printing on thin paper.

What is the best printer ink to choose

Pay attention to such factors:

• If it is necessary to print advertising materials, documents, it is important that the ink was water-resistant. Then choose a pigment dye. For printing photos with smooth transitions of shades, water-soluble inks are better suited.
• If you need to print on a glossy paper surface, choose water-soluble printer ink.
• For double-sided printing, pigment inks are suitable because they do not blend into the paper and do not bleed through to the back side.
• If the printer is rarely printed, the dyes can dry out. Therefore, it is better to choose water-soluble printer ink.

It is also important to consider the type of printer. Pigment ink is only used in 4 and 5-color printers. Water-soluble inks are compatible with all modern models of printing equipment.