The difference between UV ink and solvent ink
Date: Aug 07 2024 From: Star Color
UV inks and solvent-based inks are particularly widely used in the current printing industry, although solvent-based inks are limited by environmental protection policies, and the use is gradually decreasing, but many offset printing is still using solvent-based inks.
UV ink is a relatively new ink, it cures particularly fast, and high adhesion, is currently in a period of rapid development, but also because it does not contain solvents, but also more environmentally friendly, let's take a look
The difference between UV ink and solvent-based ink:
Component differenceUV ink: mainly composed of photosetting resin, dilution monomer (active monomer), photoinitiator, pigment and additives. Photofixing resin is the main part of UV ink, which determines the main properties of the ink such as adhesion, viscosity, hardness and so on. Diluted monomers are used to reduce viscosity and participate in curing crosslinking reactions. Photoinitiator is the key to the cross-linking reaction of resin, which can generate free radicals by absorbing ultraviolet light energy and trigger resin curing into film.
Solvent-based inks: with organic solvents as intermediaries, the main components include pigments, resins, additives and solvents. The solvent plays a role in dissolving and diluting the ink, so that the pigment and resin can be evenly mixed and attached to the printing material.
Curing methodUV ink: Fast curing by ultraviolet irradiation, reaching a dry state almost instantly. This curing method is not only fast, but also the cured ink film has excellent properties, such as wear resistance, corrosion resistance, weather resistance and so on.
Solvent-based inks: The pigment and resin are cured through the volatilization of organic solvents, the drying speed is relatively slow, and it takes a certain amount of time to wait for the solvent to completely volatilize.
Environmental protection property
UV inks: Almost no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are produced during the curing process, so they are relatively environmentally friendly. However, it should be noted that UV ink curing equipment and ultraviolet radiation require special treatment.
Solvent-based inks: contain a large number of organic solvents, and may produce VOCs emissions during printing and use, which has a certain impact on the environment and human health. Therefore, the environmental protection of solvent-based inks is relatively poor.
Application characteristicsUV ink: has good printability, adhesion, wear resistance, corrosion resistance and weather resistance. Due to its fast curing speed and excellent performance after curing, UV ink has been widely used in high-grade printing and special effects printing.
Solvent-based ink: It has the advantages of fast printing speed, bright color, waterproof and wear-resistant. However, due to its environmental problems and possible harm to human health, the application of solvent-based inks in some fields has been limited.
Economy:UV inks: The initial investment cost is higher because specialized UV curing equipment is required. However, in the long run, due to the fast curing speed and high production efficiency, the overall cost may be lower.
Solvent-based inks: The equipment requirements are relatively simple, the initial investment cost is low, but the operating cost may increase because of the long drying time
Scope of applicationUV ink: Suitable for printing on a variety of substrates, including paper, plastic, metal, glass, etc. In particular, it is widely used in the printing field that requires fast curing, high wear resistance and high weather resistance.
Solvent-based ink: widely used in packaging printing, label printing, plastic film printing and metal printing and other fields. However, with the improvement of environmental awareness and the strengthening of regulations, the application of solvent-based inks in some areas may be limited or replaced.
As a leading manufacturer of high-end UV ink in China, Huizhou Starcolor adheres to the craftsmanship, takes green technology as the core competitiveness, and unswervingly provides customers with unparalleled environmental protection printing solutions. Our products are derived from the reverence and protection of nature, using the purest raw materials, refined UV inks are not only bright and full, but also have excellent environmental performance and durability.
We keep up with the market demand and constantly upgrade the formulation technology to ensure that UV ink is suitable for all kinds of printing materials and applications, and provide personalized customized services, so that every print can reflect the brand value and artistic connotation. Choosing Huizhou Starcolor is not only the choice of high-end UV ink with quality assurance, but also the choice to jointly build a healthy, green and sustainable printing world.
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