Water based ink Vs Water transfer ink

Date: Sep 30 2024 From: Star Color

In the vast field of printing technology, water-based ink and water transfer ink are two important types of ink, each with unique characteristics and a wide range of application scenarios. Here, a detailed comparative analysis will be conducted on these two inks from multiple dimensions such as composition, characteristics, applications, and advantages and disadvantages.

Composition and basic characteristics

Water based ink:
Water based ink is an ink system primarily composed of water as the solvent, typically consisting of water-based resins, pigments, additives, and water. The biggest feature of this ink is its environmental friendliness, non toxicity, harmlessness, and ease of cleaning. Due to the absence of organic solvents, water-based ink does not produce irritating odors during the printing process, and has minimal impact on the environment and human health.

Water transfer ink:
Water transfer printing ink is a type of ink specifically used for water transfer printing technology. It usually contains water-based resins, pigments, and other components, but may also add specific thickeners, leveling agents, etc. to optimize its performance during the transfer process. The significant characteristics of water transfer printing ink are good peeling effect, molding effect, flexibility, and high brightness, which are very suitable for printing on substrates such as PET and BOPP.
Water based ink Vs water transfer ink

Features and Applications

Water based ink:

Environmental friendliness: The biggest advantage of water-based ink lies in its environmental friendliness. It does not contain organic solvents, reduces the emission of volatile organic compounds, and meets modern environmental requirements.

Safety: The non-toxic and harmless characteristics make water-based ink widely used in fields that require high safety standards, such as food packaging and pharmaceutical packaging.

Easy to clean: Water based ink is easy to clean, reducing the maintenance cost of printing equipment.

Widely applicable: suitable for printing on various materials such as paper, plastic, glass, ceramics, etc.

Water transfer ink:

Transfer effect: The water transfer ink has excellent peeling and molding effects, which can perfectly transfer the pattern to the target object.

Flexibility: Good flexibility enables water transfer ink to perform well in curved printing.

High brightness: The high brightness feature makes printed materials colorful and visually striking.

Specific applications: mainly used for printing on substrates such as PET and BOPP, as well as occasions requiring high-precision pattern transfer.

Comparison of advantages and disadvantages

Water based ink:

Advantages: environmentally friendly, safe, easy to clean, widely applicable.
Disadvantages: Relatively low durability, susceptible to peeling due to water and friction.

Water transfer ink:

Advantages: Good peeling effect, good molding effect, good flexibility, high brightness.
Disadvantages: Relatively high cost, high requirements for printing equipment and processes.

Application scenarios and selection suggestions

Water based ink:

Printing industry: suitable for paper printed materials such as books, newspapers, magazines, as well as fields requiring high safety standards such as food packaging and pharmaceutical packaging.

Packaging industry: can be used for printing packaging materials such as paper boxes and plastic bags.

Spray painted advertising: suitable for the outdoor spray painted advertising industry, such as screen printing, inkjet printing, etc.

Water transfer ink:

Specific products: mainly used for printing plastic parts such as PET and BOPP, as well as electronic products and automotive parts that require high-precision pattern transfer.

Decoration industry: In the decoration industry, water transfer printing ink can be used to make various decorative items with exquisite patterns.

When choosing ink, comprehensive consideration should be given to specific printing needs, material characteristics, and cost budget. For printed materials that require high environmental standards and safety, water-based ink is the ideal choice; For situations that require high-precision pattern transfer and special decorative effects, water transfer printing ink has more advantages.

There are significant differences between water-based ink and water transfer ink in terms of composition, characteristics, applications, and advantages and disadvantages. Understanding these differences and selecting ink types reasonably is of great significance for improving printing quality and efficiency.