Businesses that succeed listen to the ever-changing demands of the consumers and the market, and what’s the big push right now? Sustainability. A concept that affects the print industry majorly, and why one of the directions large-format print companies are moving towards is water-based digital printing technologies. Why? Because it’s what customers want, and are beginning to expect.
So, why are companies making the transition from traditional, long-standing machines and processes of UV or solvent ink-based printing? Simple, we all need to be held accountable for the effect we have on the world, and need to make sure we take steps and implement procedures that mean resources aren’t wasted.
What is the problem with Solvent ink-based printing?
Whilst solvent printing is very durable, cheap and ideal for outdoor use, it has some issues from an environmental perspective. Solvent printing requires time to be gassed out, whilst the print becomes almost touch dry straight from the printer, most brands ask for a laminate for outdoor use or longer-lasting prints, meaning the outgas needs to be gassed out for at least a day to ensure no bubbles are formed once it goes through the lamination process. This also produces air pollution and can have a negative effect on the operators and consumers if not treated correctly.
What is the problem with UV ink-based printing?
UV Ink uses ultraviolet light as a curing agent whilst printing, producing instant dryness across a wide range of substrates whilst producing vibrant colours and high-quality prints. The downsides come in the form of cost, the ink is more expensive and more specialist machinery which requires regular maintenance to ensure the correct finish. UV ink is also rigid and struggles to stretch for systems such as Tension Fabric Systems.
Why Water-based ink is the right choice for your business?
Water-based ink not only is the best environmental choice, but the range of products and technologies out there means that brands can create interior and exterior print high-quality and long-lasting displays on materials that are PVC-free, which will become the norm for the industry in the next few years.
As more industries are putting green initiatives into their business plans and persona, buyers are looking more and more to sustainable and eco-friendly products, which puts the onus on the print industry to adapt and change to the needs of the market. Not only that, but the potential effects that printing on solvent inks has on the operators and staff when their environment doesn’t have the correct ventilation and air extraction, meaning more businesses can produce prints without damaging the environment and their employees.
There are benefits buyers don’t see the benefit of, but businesses certainly do when printing on water-based inks, such as the machinery using less energy to generate the finished product, with the machinery pushing faster print times the finished product is coming through factories faster meaning quicker turnaround times.
What is holding back Water-based inks?
With any innovation, people are slow to adapt and change their ways of thinking and production until they know it is a surefire thing. This means the development of materials is still in the early stages of production, with some being too expensive for the market and clients in comparison to materials that use UV or Solvent ink. With the increase in machinery and technology leaning into water-based, a broader choice of products at a more cost-effective price will be produced.
The final thing to consider with water-based ink
Brands can do all the research they need into what ink and print method they want, but if they don’t have the right print partner, then it’s all for nothing. At Envision Media, we work closely with our clients to produce eye-catching, environmentally friendly prints that turn visions into reality, so why not speak to our expert team with over 100 years of experience in delivering excellence?