There are significant differences in the performance between oil-based ink and water-based ink. Here is a comparison of their main properties:
Composition:
Oil-based Ink: Mainly composed of oil, usually using mineral oil and resin, containing high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC).
Water-based Ink: Mainly composed of water, containing a certain amount of solvents and additives, without volatile organic compounds (VOC).
Environmental Friendliness:
Oil-based Ink: Due to containing VOCs, it is harmful to the environment and human health, and its use requires caution.
Water-based Ink: Does not contain VOCs, thus harmless to the environment and human health, more suitable for printing areas with high hygiene standards, such as food and pharmaceuticals.
Stability and Durability:
Oil-based Ink: Good stability, high durability, waterproof, abrasion-resistant, light-resistant, and colorfast. It has a wide range of applications.
Water-based Ink: Although the printing effect is stable, its water resistance, light resistance, and abrasion resistance are weaker compared to oil-based ink, with a relatively narrower range of applications.
Drying Properties:
Oil-based Ink: Dries quickly, rapidly adhering to the printed surface, significantly improving production efficiency.
Water-based Ink: The drying speed is relatively slower, but the dried prints have high color saturation and are less likely to fade or discolor due to VOCs.
Color Performance:
Oil-based Ink: High color saturation, maintaining vivid and realistic colors even under bright light.
Water-based Ink: Although the colors are vivid, they may be slightly inferior in saturation compared to oil-based ink.
Applicable Fields:
Oil-based Ink: Suitable for areas requiring high printing quality and durability, such as printing, packaging, and materials.
Water-based Ink: Suitable for printing areas with high environmental hygiene standards, such as food and pharmaceuticals.
Viscosity:
Oil-based Ink: High viscosity, ensuring fade resistance after printing.
Water-based Ink: The viscosity directly affects the quality of printed products. Low viscosity can cause lighter colors and uneven printing, while high viscosity can affect the ink transferability of the anilox roller, resulting in uneven ink color.
Solvent Issues:
Oil-based Ink: Usually uses organic solvents, which may volatilize during printing, causing environmental pollution.
Water-based Ink: Uses water as the main solvent, reducing VOC emissions and being more environmentally friendly.
Cleaning Difficulty:
Oil-based Ink: Due to its oily nature, it is more difficult to clean the ink rollers, plates, and other equipment. Failure to clean promptly can affect print quality and increase maintenance costs.
Water-based Ink: Easier to clean due to using water as the solvent.
Printing Uniformity:
Oil-based Ink: If not handled properly, it is prone to uneven printing due to slow evaporation, which can lead to gel clumps.
Water-based Ink: Typically achieves better printing uniformity as water is an easier solvent to flow and distribute.
Ink Layer Texture:
Water-based Ink: Due to the relatively low pigment content, the ink layer texture on the printed product may be inferior, fading faster and affecting aesthetics.
Oil-based Ink: Typically provides better ink layer texture.
Durability:
Oil-based Ink: Good durability, suitable for printing on items requiring long-term preservation.
Water-based Ink: Relatively poorer durability, especially outdoors, prone to fading under sunlight and rain.
Safety:
Water-based Ink: Non-flammable due to the absence of volatile organic solvents, reducing fire hazards and improving the printing environment.
Oil-based Ink: Contains organic solvents, requiring special attention to fire safety during use.
Cost:
Oil-based Ink: Higher overall costs due to the ink itself, cleaning, and maintenance.
Water-based Ink: Although initial investment may be higher, its environmental friendliness and ease of cleaning may help reduce overall costs in the long run.