Aqueous versus Solvent_ 4 Differences

1. Aqueous Versus Solvent: 4 Differences Print quality is influenced by many factors, including the type of ink used. Ink choice can have an impact on the longevity of the results, too. In the wide format printing industry, two types of ink are commonly used: eco solvent ink and aqueous inks. You may be wondering which one you should use. There is no definite answer. It really depends on what you’re trying to print. Aqueous ink and eco-solvents have different formulations, and one may be better than the other for specific applications. Some print jobs may be better with eco-solvent inks, while others should be done using aqueous inks. Knowing the differences between aqueous and solvent inks can help you decide which product is best for your print job. Here are the four things you must know: 1. The key difference The terms ‘aqueous’ and ‘solvent’ pertain to the liquid present in the ink formulation. So, whether you are using pigment-based or dye-based ink, the carrier can either be aqueous or solvent. Solvent ink uses oil or alcohol-derived carrier liquid. It is non-polar, so it can work well with vinyl and other plastic-based mediums.

2. Aqueous ink uses water as the carrier, and because it’s a polar substance, it’s best used on paper-based mediums. Now that you know the main difference between these inks, you may be wondering which option is better. For this, you will have to look into their safety, environmental impact, and durability. 2. Safety Aqueous inks are better when it comes to cleanliness and safety. They use water as a carrier, so they are not likely to contain hefty amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Conventional solvent inks release VOCs and toxic fumes, so you will have to print in well-ventilated spaces. That said, there are modern formulations available. You can choose to use eco-solvent ink that uses mild biodegradable solvents, making it virtually odorless, with less VOCs. 3. Environmental impact Aqueous ink is more sustainable, as water is a renewable source and won’t harm the environment. Solvent inks are typically not as environmentally friendly because of their petroleum base, which is non-renewable. 4. Durability Solvent-based inks are known to produce durable prints. However, if you are concerned about environmental impact and safety, you may want to consider latex-based water-based inks that can provide the same range of durability. Alternatively, you can consider using high-quality eco-solvent ink if you want to use a safer type of solvent ink.