Best Inkjet Printer Inks Guide

To be able to pass through the fine nozzle of an inkjet printer, these inks have low viscosity and contain tiny particles of either pigment or dye. Both are water-based or aqueous ink formulas, but each dries differently once it reaches the print surface. Let’s discuss the different ink types used by inkjet printers as we use at our printing services in Santa Monica.

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Dye-based Ink

Dye ink contains colorant that fully dissolves in superpure deionized water. Various optical compounds are added to increase color vibrancy and saturation. Ethylene glycol keeps the dye mixed in solution with the water and slows evaporation, while solvents help it dry faster once it hits the printing surface. The ink sprayed out of the printer nozzle is absorbed into the paper’s fibers. It can sometimes exhibit signs of fading or shifts in color after a prolonged period of time and exposure to direct sunlight. And since the dye particles are completely liquefied inside the cartridge, prints can still smudge when exposed to humidity or moisture.

Dye inks are best suited for everyday printing of documents, at-home photos, invitations and colorful business reports. Most inkjet printers on the market traditionally include dye based inks.  They are appreciated for their ability to produce vivid colors with extraordinary detail. But colors do tend to fade over time.

Pigment-based Ink

How it works: Pigment is a very fine color powder that’s suspended in liquid. Its particles form a continuous film as water evaporates during the drying process, and bond to edges within the printed surface, which adds to color stability and longevity.

Best for use with: Pigment-based ink works well for printing archival photographs or documents. It can last more than 200 years when used with some paper types under ideal conditions. Its drying properties make it a good choice for printing on non-porous or glossy substrates, including printing stickers and signs. It is also great for silk screening and professional photographs or art. Pigment ink tends to resist water and UV light better than dye-based ink. But it’s also often pricier, and lacks dye ink’s brightness and broad color range.

UV Ink

UV inks consist of acrylic monomers with a photo initiator, and unlike aqueous formulas, they don’t evaporate. Once it hits the print surface, the ink is exposed to strong UV light causing a chemical reaction that helps its components cross-link into a solid state. The colorants in UV cured inks can be dye- or pigment-based, but the latter is used more frequently because it’s more fade-resistant. Since the ink dries almost instantly you can print projects far quicker compared to printing with an aqueous based ink machine.   

UV inkjet printers use ultraviolet light to cure the ink. They produce robust, quality prints that dry instantly, enabling overprinting or cutting and folding operations to be carried out immediately after printing. UV ink is commonly used for printing banners, large posters, or  trade-show displays.