The Different Types of Printer Ink Cartridges
Printers use several different and similar technologies to apply an image or text onto paper or a variety of print substrates. Some use a consumable which cannot be classified as ‘printer ink’ at all. There are printers capable of printing on anything from vinyl to stretch fabrics and many materials in between. Some of these print technologies use consumables to produce an image that matches most people’s understanding of what “ink” is. Some use consumables that are nowhere near anyone’s definition of ink.
Ink is defined as “a coloured fluid or paste used for writing, drawing, printing, or duplicating”. By this definition, toner, which is an ultra-fine, dry powder, is not an ink. It follows that laser printers, which use toner as their print consumable, do not use printer ink to produce print output. Inkjet print technology, as the name suggests, does use ink. Even amongst the technologies employing liquid ink, there are several different types. The inkjet printers one encounters in the home or office environment use printer ink which is usually made up of a low-viscosity (water-like) fluid in which the colouring agent, or pigment, is carried.
Dye-based versus Pigment-based Printer Ink
It usually presents in one of two forms, either dye-based or pigment-based. The colourant in dye-based ink is fully dissolved into the carrier liquid. Pigmented printer ink is made up of a very fine powder of solid-coloured particles suspended in a liquid carrier. Dye-based inks are less costly and have more commonly been used, but these tend to produce output that is prone to fading over time and when exposed to ultraviolet light for any length. Pigment-based inks cost more but produce more fade-resistant output because of the tiny particles of solid pigment which remain on the print surface once the ink has dried. Today, little difference exists between modern dye-based and pigmented printer inks. Pigmented inks are arguably marginally better. Ongoing improvements in both ink types’ formulation by the leading manufacturers have mostly eliminated their shortcomings and both are now more than acceptable in terms of both quality and longevity of output.
Printer inks from leading brand manufacturers are typically fade-resistant and expected to last a lifetime when used with good-quality paper recommended by the manufacturer.
Less Common Printer Inks
Some print technologies use solid blocks of wax-like ink, like crayons, instead of liquid ink. The ink is heated until it is liquid and applied to the printing surface, where it cools and solidifies. Ribbon ink is used for dot matrix printer technology and thermal transfer printers. Dot matrix printers use impact to transfer ink from an ink-soaked ribbon to the paper forming a print. Thermal transfer printers melt a wax or resin coating on the ribbon, using a heated printhead to expose the ink and print it onto the paper. UV inks are virtually instantly dried on the printing surface when exposed to UV light and are often used in lithography. Certain 3D printing processes use a material that could qualify as ‘ink’. 3D printing resin is available in a wide range of colours and formulations.
Choose the Experts at Raydian for Advice on Printing
Doing your own research is prudent and will help you make an informed choice but, in the final analysis, advice from a company whose business is printers, multifunctional devices, and consumables will be best. Raydian provides professional advice on all your office and home office requirements. We can offer tips on anything to do with printers and printing – including how to extend cartridge life to get the most out of your printer ink cartridges to keep you printing for the lowest possible cost.
You will often have the choice of standard or extra-volume (or high capacity) cartridges. Higher volume units lower your cost per print by offering more ink at a lower cost. These cartridges extend the time between consumables replacement and are particularly suited to commercial environments with high print volumes.
We supply and support a vast range of cartridges and stock most leading brands and models. Selecting the right printer ink cartridges for your inkjet printer is a relatively simple process if you have professional support. Choosing a genuine OEM cartridge is always recommended but compatible printer cartridges can save you money. We pride ourselves on great availability and range.
Contact Raydian today for your replacement consumables. We offer direct delivery to you and stock a high-quality, stringently tested range of compatible products.