By Cassandra Balentine
Each year, Digital Output polls ink manufacturers to discuss the latest and greatest when it comes to digital inks, as well as any challenges and considerations from the past year and beyond. From eco-solvent to latex, UV, and solvent, ink trends move towards industrial applications and test out new surfaces.
Above: LSINC’s PeriOne direct to object digital printer uses Marabu UltraJet DLE-A, which offers ideal adhesion on glass items.
Ink Trends
When it comes to ink use, Pedro J. Martinez, CEO, AFFORD, points to increased ink consumption. “There are areas of decrease, such as solvent-based inks, but there are more areas where the growth is substantial over the last few years,” he shares.
Martinez believes we are at the beginning of big industrial markets transforming from analog to inkjet technology. “Still, inkjet needs to develop to solve some of the challenges associated with this, but we see that over the years most of the challenges are being solved and new challenges show up when more requests are being made in regards to speed, quality, and performance.”
AFFORD produces a range of wide format inks including eco-solvent, UV, solvent, latex, and water based. Among its water-based inks, AFFORD develops options for direct to fabric, direct to garment, dye-sublimation, and more recently plastics and cardboard packaging.
Syd Northup, VP of sales, digital U.S., digital inks, Marabu North America, sees customers continuing to move to UV inks because of its ability to print on unique substrates and applications. Part of this is driven by direct to object UV printing on glass, aluminum, steel, and plastic. Marabu’s UltraJet DLE-A is one of the company’s stand out products, according to Northup. “This ink can be installed in flatbed or direct to object printers.”
We can’t get too far in a trend piece without discussing the lasting effects of COVID-19. One positive is that experts say the COVID-19 pandemic did not impact the use of inks all that much. Northup reports an increase in volume over the past six to nine months.
Martinez notes that while during the first month of pandemic lockdowns there was a reduction in orders, signage was active at the restart. “Areas like events were very quiet but have recovered quite well,” he comments.
In terms of applications, Northup sees print providers adding value and pivoting to new applications utilizing digital printing.
Martinez adds that performance is key, noting that digital inks must work perfectly or the system won’t work at all. “This means that customers won’t compromise the performance of the system. It is our thought that most customers will prioritize maintenance and ink consistency over price.”
Demands of Ink
Print providers expect consistent, quality ink, even as they evolve to new substrates and surfaces. Ink manufacturers deliver by keeping up with the latest demands.
Apr2023, Digital Output
