What is eco-solvent ink? What are the benefits of eco-solvent printing? We’re about to share all of the details with you to ensure you get the high-quality prints that you need for your personal and business needs.
What is Eco-Solvent Ink?
Eco-solvent ink has been the eco-friendly replacement to lite-solvent ink within inkjet printing systems. As more customers demanded that ink be “friendlier” to both the operators and the environment, it was clear that eco-solvent ink was a necessity.
So, you have a difference between solvent and eco-solvent inks.
Solvent inks are oil-based solutions that hold both pigment and resin. They will contain a high content of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which is why the smell can be so strong. It requires ventilation – and if it’s being used on PVC or other durable substrates, the odor can linger for a significant amount of time. Although the ink can produce stunning images, it makes it unsuitable for indoor use due to the strong smell.
Eco-solvent inks are made from refined mineral oil as a way to reduce the VOCs dramatically. The low odor involved with the ink means that they can be used for indoor graphics. Additionally, the chemicals aren’t aggressive on the inkjet nozzles, which means that they won’t have buildup issues that lead to constant cleaning.
It’s important to understand that while eco-solvent ink is often eco-friendly, it is not always the case. Sometimes, it is simply used to refer to a low VOC ink on the market.
What are Eco-Solvent Printers?
Eco-solvent printers utilize eco-solvent inks. For the most part, they are inkjet printers that are capable of handling these low VOC inks. There are no explosive components within the ink, and it is all biodegradable – which means that they can be good for the environment when disposed of properly.
Eco-solvent media is capable of producing a high-resolution print with no pixilation. When quality is important and you don’t mind paying a little extra, it is the kind of print that you want.
The printers are capable of providing you with the details you need – including better image resolution and shading profiles.
It’s also important to know that there is a single pass for printing. If you have researched printers in the past, you know that flex printing is often characterized as 3 pass, 4 pass, and so on. It identifies how many times the printer head will move across the substrate. The eco-solvent printers can produce a high-resolution image with a single pass because of the flex, the technology, and the solvency of the ink that is used.
What is important to recognize is that eco-solvent printers are more expensive and that is because of the finer details that they can offer. If quality is not an issue but the price is, solvent printers are the better option.
How to Choose Between Eco-Solvent and Solvent Printing
Every time you need to have printing done, there are decisions that you have to make. You have to consider the size of the print, the quantity, and even the substrate (paper, vinyl, cardboard, etc.). Many of those decisions will lead you toward making the ultimate decision: eco-solvent vs. solvent printing.
Cost. If cost is a top consideration for you, it’s important to know that eco-solvent inks are more expensive.
Material. Eco-solvent inks are highly versatile. However, if you are using thin or cheap vinyl as your substrate, you’ll want to try solvent ink because of the heat that is required to dry eco-solvent ink.
Quality. You won’t get better quality than the printing that comes from using eco-solvent inks.
Eco-friendly. Most of the eco-solvent inks on the market are eco-friendly because of the low VOCs and biodegradability.
If you can’t decide what kind of printing is right for you (and your budget), the best thing to do is call a professional printing company. At Custom Printing, Inc., we have the means to answer your questions, offer you guidance, and ensure you choose a printing solution that works for you.
The Benefits of Embracing Eco-Solvent Printing
When quality is of the utmost importance, you won’t find anything better than eco-solvent printing. Some of the benefits you’ll take advantage of including:
- Stronger colors
- Better shadowing
- A large variety of substrates
Another benefit is the lack of smell, which is a big consideration – especially when you’re working indoors.
Finally, the cartridges used in eco-solvent printing aren’t going to be as damaging. You won’t have to worry about accidental residue on your prints because of a dirty printer head. The printer components won’t get damaged or deteriorate as easily, which means that the maintenance is lower. When you’re working with professional printing companies, this can translate to lower bulk printing costs as well as faster turnaround times.
How Custom Printing is Committed to Staying Green
Choosing a commercial printer that is committed to being eco-friendly is more important than ever before. Custom Printing, Inc. has made an eco-commitment to uphold the certification standards of the Forest Stewardship Council. It ensures that we do everything we can to foster well-managed forestry while also managing our eco-footprint with environmental sustainability awareness.
Even our wide-format printing involves the use of eco-solvent printing. It is safer for the environment while also providing you with true-to-life colors and fade resistance that you can count on year after year.
We strive to embrace the latest technologies to provide you with quality prints. From banners to posters to mounted standees, we can print all that you need – and offer competitive pricing at the same time. Thanks to using the newer technologies, we can offset some of the costs, ensuring you get access to eco-solvent inks without paying a significant amount more.
While many printers are still using solvent ink because of the cost, we are committed to making a difference in the environment and the quality that it offers. When you have high expectations for a print job, eco-solvent printing is the best decision that you can make. We offer flexible printing options so that you can have long-lasting print material for your personal or business use.
When you’re ready to get a quote for your custom printing or you want to discuss the details of a print job, contact us to get started.