What are the different types of printing inks?
Printing inks are substances used in the printing process to transfer images or text onto a substrate. There are several types of printing inks used in different printing applications, and some of the most common types are:
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Oil-based inks: Also known as letterpress inks, these inks are made from a combination of pigments, resins, and oils. They are commonly used in commercial printing applications for printing on paper and cardboard.
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Water-based inks: These inks are made from a mixture of water, pigments, and binders. They are commonly used in flexographic and gravure printing applications for printing on porous substrates like paper, cardboard, and some plastics.
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UV-curable inks: These inks are cured by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, which triggers a chemical reaction that causes the ink to harden and adhere to the substrate. They are commonly used in digital printing applications for printing on a variety of substrates, including paper, plastics, and metal.
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Solvent-based inks: These inks are made from a mixture of pigments and solvents like toluene or acetone. They are commonly used in screen printing and flexographic printing applications for printing on non-porous substrates like plastics, metals, and vinyl.
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Dye-based inks: These inks are made from water-soluble dyes and are commonly used in inkjet printing applications for printing on paper and some fabrics.
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Pigment-based inks: These inks are made from tiny particles of colored pigment suspended in a liquid binder. They are commonly used in inkjet and digital printing applications for printing on a variety of substrates, including paper, fabric, and ceramics.