Why choose water-based inks?
Traditional solvent-based inks dominate the printing industry due to their fast curing times and vibrant results. However, they pose significant environmental and health challenges, including:
1. Emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to air pollution.
2. Difficulty in safe disposal due to hazardous chemicals.
3. Limited compatibility with eco-friendly initiatives and sustainability goals.
As industries strive for greener alternatives, water-based inks have emerged as a viable solution, offering reduced environmental impact without compromising quality. However, these inks come with their own set of advantages and challenges.
What are water-based inks?
Water-based inks are those that utilize water as the main solvent. But it is important to know that water-based inks also use “co-solvents”, which may be petroleum-based solvents. There are various reasons why co-solvents are used, but the most significant reason is to decrease the time and heat needed to cure the ink film on the fabric.
Advantages of water-based inks
"Soft-hand" feel
A soft hand is a condition where the ink film cannot be easily felt with the hand when pressed across the surface of the fabric.
High-speed roll-to-roll yardage
Ideal for high-speed production processes.
Ink penetration
Suitable for applications where deep ink penetration is required, such as towel printing.
Addressing common concerns on water-based inks
While water-based inks have many advantages, printers may face challenges such as curing difficulty and screen drying. However, advancements in ink formulations and specialized emulsions have minimized these issues, making water-based inks more accessible than ever.
Tips for Effective Use:
- Maintain consistent curing temperatures to ensure optimal results.
- Use water-resistant emulsions to prevent stencil damage.
- Avoid prolonged idle time between prints to prevent screen clogging.
Benefits of water-based inks
Water can be used to clean the screens, squeegees, and tools. However, water-based ink is not just water – it contains pigments, binders, thickeners, and co-solvent in the ink residue, thus wastewater cannot be discharged in the sewer.
In addition, water-based ink that has been catalyzed cannot be returned to its container for re-use; it should be disposed of as hazardous waste.