Vinyl printing is becoming more popular thanks to the versatility of the industry, from printing banners, signage, promotional car wrappers, and even stickers.
Even though the process seems easy to learn, you need to know what materials to use if you want your work to be bright and last a long time when put on the surface it was made for.
One of the main questions first-timers ask themselves is whether they need special ink to print on vinyl.
The answer depends on what your goal is. If you want a vinyl print for your kindergartener’s arts and crafts class, you can get away with using regular printer ink. However, if you want professional prints, you need to invest in specific types of ink. This way, you will be assured that the images will be vibrant and will not fade quickly.
Types of Ink Used on Vinyl
When it comes to printing, using suitable materials for the specific type of vinyl will ensure you get the best results.
For perspective, some inks are considered the best for outdoor signage; others thrive when subjected to UV rays; others are perfect for indoor decals, and so forth.
Below I will go through the best ink for vinyl and why it is so.
1. UV-Cured Ink
As the name suggests, UV-cured inks are a type of ink that is cured/finished using ultraviolet rays. For perspective, once the ink seeps into the vinyl, the print is automatically transferred to where UV lamps are then the UV rays are blasted to dry the ink before a human has to touch the image.
Because the process is 100% automatic, the results are bound to be perfect, considering errors such as ink blotching before it completely dries are eliminated. That said, this type of ink is the ideal solution for those who want delicate and detailed graphics.
When dealing with UV-curable ink, the drying process is mere seconds as it is done automatically after the ink is cured onto the vinyl. This is quite convenient for commercial printers.
Advantages of UV-Cured Ink
Is friendly to the environment
UV curable ink doesn’t contain any volatile organic compounds; therefore, it doesn’t cause any harm to the environment. Also, it’s easier and cheaper to dispose of.
Is weather resistant
UV-curable ink is water and sunproof, making it the perfect ink for outdoor vinyl. Also, it hardly fades, meaning the print will last several years.
Disadvantages of UV-Cured Ink
Spills are difficult to clean.
The only way UV-curable ink gets to dry is by being subjected to UV rays. For this reason, cleaning up is challenging if you spill some.
2. Solvent-Based Inks
You can easily spot a vinyl decal produced using solvent-based inks because the colors are pretty vibrant, making it a perfect option for large pieces such as banners. The bright images result from the solvent in ink forming a chemical bond with the material below it, which, in this case, is vinyl.
While some solvent-based inks come ready to use, some require you to assemble the components. In this scenario, you will need to use water or a special liquid, pigment, and a solvent, then mix all the elements mentioned earlier to form the ink.
The main difference between UV and solvent-based inks is that the latter is cured by air or heat. Therefore, after the ink goes onto the vinyl, the print operator manually takes it out and leaves it somewhere for the solvent to evaporate, leaving the ink hardened.
Advantages of Solvent-Based Inks
Extremely Durable
If your vinyl print is for outdoor use, solvent-based ink is an excellent option because it is highly resistant to fading and scratches. However, depending on the type of vinyl you will be using, you need to top off the print with a glossy finish to extend its shelf-life.
Versatility
Solvent-based inks can be used on almost all types of vinyl, and you will still get the same great results.
Affordable
Solvent-based inks are affordable, making them an excellent option for commercial printing or DIY projects.
Vibrant colors
Solvent-based inks are the way to go if you are targeting vibrant and bright colors. Additionally, if you think the pigmentation needs to be more satisfactory, you can always buy pigment for cheap and add it yourself.
Disadvantages of Solvent-Based Inks
Harmful to the environment
When solvent-based ink is in the curing process, it releases volatile organic compounds that are harmful to the environment and print operators.
Takes a long time to dry
Considering solvent ink requires time to cure, it might be inconvenient if you have a vast commercial order or don’t have ample aerated space to hang the vinyl to dry.
3. Eco Solvent Inks
Eco solvent inks are basically solvent-based ink that has been manufactured to be more environmentally friendly. Even though this type of ink has been in the market since the early 2000s, many people specializing in vinyl prints don’t reach for it because it smudges easily when used on thin surfaces.
Advantages of Eco-Solvent Ink
It’s good for the environment
This ink is formulated with no odor or harmful compounds, meaning it doesn’t release toxins into the environment or cause health problems to the print operator.
Immune to adverse weather conditions
The main advantage of eco-solvent inks is that their formulation makes it possible for the ink to be water and sun-proof. Therefore, you can use it for outside banners without fear of your images appearing faded after a while.
Low Printer Maintenance
Unlike other cheap inks, this one doesn’t stain the printer, meaning it doesn’t require you to clean the inside parts after each printing session. Additionally, considering the ink has a low impact on the printer parts, you won’t have to replace parts often, which saves you a lot in the long run.
Disadvantages of Eco-Solvent Ink
Hard to source
For some reason, few manufacturers create eco-solvent ink. Therefore, finding stock should be easier than it is.
Is expensive
For the ink to have low carbon emissions, it goes through extensive processes, making it more expensive compared to regular solvent-based inks.
4. Latex-Based Inks
Many assume that latex ink contains the rubber from the latex tree, but this is false as the ink is synthetically produced. This ink is basically a water-based polymer that turns into a film when exposed to specific amounts of heat.
Advantages of Latex Ink
Safe for the environment
Latex inks are water-based; therefore, they don’t contain the solvent that contains harmful volatile organic compounds that harm the environment. Also, they save the operator the cost of expensive air purification systems.
Vibrant images
Thanks to the formulation of latex inks, they provide images with fine details. Therefore, if your print has small pictures, say a graph, that you want to be easily visible, this is the ink to use.
Affordable
Latex inks are affordable in comparison to the other types of ink. Also, since the whole cartridge is used during printing, there is less wastage overall.
Disadvantages of Latex Ink
High Maintenance
After each session of using latex inks, you will need to clean your whole printer, which can be time-consuming and expensive to hire help.
Fades Easily
Unlike the other options in this article, latex inks fade quicker and are prone to smudging. This makes them a terrible choice for outdoor and indoor vinyl prints unless you only needed them for less than a week.
Takes a long to dry
Latex ink prints require a few hours to dry, which is quite a lot, especially if they are a commercial order.
Tips to Use to Choose the Right Ink
Part of the reason why people go for inkjet printers and not laser printers is that they are cheaper. However, if you are constantly printing vinyl, you will use a lot of ink cartridges, which can be pretty costly when added up.
For this reason, it’s imperative to know how to choose suitable ink cartridges for your printer. Below are a few tips:
Compatibility
Unless you are buying the cartridges as a package from the manufacturer, it’s your duty to ensure that the ink cartridge you buy is compatible with your printer. You can easily do this by checking the manufacturer’s website.
Manufacturer’s Warranty
Most ink manufacturers will allow you to check how the colors will come out on specific surface types. Therefore, if you find out that the color they sent is wrong or expired, you should always have the option of returning it and getting your proper order.
For the aforementioned reason, only buy from sellers who offer you a good warranty plan.
Conclusion
Vinyl printing is an art. That said, attention to detail is crucial if you want the best result. Some may ask if special ink is needed to print on vinyl.
You should take your time in choosing the right type of ink. There are hundreds of options in the market, making it easy to need clarification. But, the above post eases the burden of making the right decision.
