Solvent-Based Inks: A Staple In Many Shops

Solvent ink is a workhorse technology in the visual communications market. Not only is there a wide variety of materials suitable for solvent printing that are used regularly for signage applications, the workflow, handling, and finishing processes are familiar to wide-format print providers.

These inks, despite the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) necessary to carry the colorants, are still a staple in many sign shops for one good reason: their use continues to generate a significant amount of business for wide-format print shop owners.

Any graphics where outdoor durability is required, from banners to vehicle wraps, has traditionally been the domain of solvent inks. The most popular solvent applications are banners, indoor/outdoor signage, decals and stickers, vehicle wraps, and photographic prints.

Because the ink ‘attacks’ the media, it offers abrasion resistance, flexibility, and strong UV resistance, characteristics demanded of outdoor signage.

“New ink technology such as UV is growing in popularity, especially in specialty and industrial applications, but being able to produce outdoor and indoor signage using solvent-based printers is still very popular,” said David Conrad, Mutoh Director of Marketing and Sales. “And the quality and performance of the solvent-based inks continue to lend itself to a variety of applications. Everything from simple signs and banners to indoor and outdoor displays, trade show graphics, and wraps are still being produced using mainly solvent-based printers and solvent-based ink technology.”

Solvent printer’s ongoing popularity is well noted by Epson, which launched its enhanced SureColor S-Series line of 64-inch solvent inkjet printers April 2015, with models SureColor S30675, S50675 and S70675. In mid-January, it announced replacements of these versions with the release of the S40600, an entry-level sign printer; the S60600; and the 80600.

These latest models feature Epson UltraChrome GS3 solvent inks, which employ a new formulation to produce outstanding print quality, durability, and media compatibility, plus improved drying times to drive productivity, reported Matt McCausland, product manager, Professional Imaging, Epson America, Inc. “The flagship SureColor S80600 incorporates an all new GS3 Red ink, providing flexibility to produce vivid output with an expansive color gamut and outstanding color vibrancy for a range of applications, from signage and fine art reproduction to car wraps, banners, wall covers, window clings, and more. An optional White or Silver ink is also available with the SureColor S80600 for best-in-class photographic output quality,” he said.

Solvent inks are also highly versatile and beyond signage related applications, can be used for textiles such as T-shirt transfers, added Ken VanHorn, Director, Marketing and Business Development, Mimaki USA.

“When printing directly to textile, solvent/eco-solvent ink performs best on a digital grade material with a solvent-resistant coating. Also, mild solvent inks – Mimaki SS21 as an example – tend to have superior fade resistance, especially in yellows; the longevity and color fidelity of solvent-produced images are typically far better than other technologies.”

Eco-solvent inks are a popular alternative to solvent inks. They contain fewer VOCs, so the strong smell during or after the printing process is nearly eliminated. When Roland first introduced eco-solvent inks to wide-format printing, it was the latest innovation in a market that was in need of an alternative to traditional solvent inks, reported Eric Zimmerman, Product Manager, Color Products – Roland DGA.

“While no longer new, eco-solvent technology continues to offer the best combination of vibrancy, wide color gamut, detailed quality, outdoor durability, low VOCs for indoor air quality, and a cost-effective price for users to maximize operating profits,” he noted. “ For those reasons, customers continue to make eco-solvent technology the leading choice in the wide-format outdoor durable graphics industry.”

“Mimaki offers a variety of solutions that include UV, latex, dye-sublimation, and solvent,” said Ken VanHorn, Director, Marketing and Business Development, Mimaki USA. “Using the best ink technology for a shop’s core application while being able to provide differentiation continues to support this diversity in print, and solvent/eco-solvent fills a much-needed gap that other ink technologies simply cannot accommodate today.”

The latest developments in eco-solvent inkjet printers are allowing print service providers to produce graphic results faster and more cost-effectively than ever before. These improvements have also significantly enhanced unattended printing, ease of use, and convenience

Wide-format digital printers such as the eco-solvent models within Roland’s SOLJET, VersaCAMM, and VersaEXPRESS series, are ideal for a wide range of digital printing applications, including signs, banners, vehicle graphics, wall and floor graphics, decals, POP displays and more, reported Zimmerman. “Roland’s quick-drying, GREENGUARD Gold certified Eco-Sol MAX and Eco-Sol MAX 2 eco-solvent inks are specially formulated to provide rich, vibrant colors and exceptional detail for all of these applications.”

Roland’s Eco-Sol MAX and Eco-Sol MAX 2 inks are fast-drying, allowing for immediate winding on the take-up reel and then proceeding to lamination when needed, added Zimmerman. “They’re also specially formulated for a wide color gamut, vibrant output, and maximum durability. In addition to CMYK, Roland’s Eco-Sol MAX 2 inks include Light Black, Light Cyan, and Light Magenta as well as White and Metallic options, expanding the spectrum of creative possibilities available to users. These inks enable print service providers to print on a wide selection of substrates and incorporate a variety of eye-catching special effects into their graphics.”

The recent advances in printer and ink technology have led to solvent printing becoming faster not only to print, as is the case with Mimaki’s JV300 Series printers, which includes patented technology for three-way heating (pre-print, print, and post-print), said VanHorn. “This technology not only enables printing at higher speeds, but also helps ensure prints are dry and ready to use from the integrated take-up system.”

Mimaki SS21 eco-solvent inks, which are also Greenguard Gold certified, are used in a variety of JV Series printers and CJV Series cut-and-print devices. These inks can print on hundreds of popular media for indoor and outdoor applications. White, orange, green, silver, and light black are available, depending on the model.

Mutoh’s line of ValueJet printers, run with Eco-Ultra Ink and are available in a range of sizes, beginning with the 24-inch ValueJet 628 for users requiring a machine with a small footprint, up to the 104-inch commercial grade ValueJet 238X for high-impact billboards. “Mutoh offers one-liter ink bags on most of its eco-solvent printers reducing its already competitive ink pricing for high-production print shops. Mutoh just recently introduced DropMaster Smart Printing Technology – a revolutionary print automation technique which eliminates the need for manual head adjustments,” said Michelle Johnson, Mutoh Advertising & Events Manager. The technology is available on select eco-solvent Mutoh ValueJets.

“Look for new printer and ink technology to enhance a print shop’s solvent-based product offerings but never take their place,” said Conrad.