Screen Printing Ink: From Makeup To Future Developments in Applications
Jul 26, 2024
Screen printing ink is a kind of ink specially used for screen printing process, which is widely used in printing of textiles, paper, plastic, glass, metal and various other substrates. Screen printing is a printing technology that uses a screen to transfer ink to a substrate, which has the advantages of high coverage, bright colors and strong durability. The following is a detailed introduction to screen printing ink.
1. Ink composition
Screen printing ink is mainly composed of pigments, binders, solvents and additives.
Pigments: Pigments provide the color of ink and can be organic or inorganic pigments. Organic pigments are brightly colored and suitable for textile and paper printing; inorganic pigments have better weather resistance and heat resistance and are suitable for outdoor and high temperature environments.
Binders: Binders are the film-forming substances of ink, which determine the adhesion and durability of ink on the substrate. Commonly used binders include synthetic resins, polyesters, polyurethanes, etc.
Solvents: Solvents are used to dissolve and disperse pigments and binders to give the ink proper fluidity. Common solvents include alcohols, ketones and esters, etc.
Additives: Additives are used to improve the properties of inks, such as drying speed, rheology, and anti-stickiness. For example, defoamers, antifreeze agents, plasticizers, and UV stabilizers.
2. Ink Types
Depending on the application and substrate, screen printing inks can be divided into several types:
Solvent-based Inks: This type of ink uses organic solvents as a carrier, has a faster drying speed and excellent adhesion, and is suitable for non-absorbent materials such as plastics, metals, and glass. The disadvantage is that when the solvent evaporates, it releases harmful gases, which has a certain impact on the environment and health.
Water-based Inks: Using water as a solvent, it is environmentally friendly and suitable for textile and paper printing. Although water-based inks dry slowly, their low odor and low VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions make them increasingly popular in environmentally friendly applications.
UV-curable Inks: This type of ink cures under ultraviolet light, dries extremely quickly, is suitable for a variety of substrates, and has the advantages of scratch resistance and chemical resistance. UV curing inks are solvent-free and environmentally friendly, but require special UV curing equipment.
Plastisol inks: This type of ink is mainly used for textile printing, especially for clothing such as T-shirts. It cures at high temperatures to form soft, washable patterns. The main components of plastisol inks are polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and plasticizers.
3. Ink performance
The performance of screen printing inks directly affects the printing quality and the effect of the final product. Here are some key performance indicators:
Viscosity: The fluidity of the ink, which affects its transfer and printing quality on the screen. The right viscosity can ensure uniform distribution of the ink and clear details.
Adhesion: The ability of the ink to adhere to the substrate determines the durability of the printed pattern. Different substrates require different adhesives to ensure good adhesion.
Opacity: The ability of the ink to cover the base color of the substrate. High-occluding inks can achieve bright colors on dark substrates.
Durability: Including abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, weather resistance, etc. Highly durable ink can ensure that the printed product remains in good condition in various environments.
4. Application fields
Screen printing ink is widely used in many industries, including but not limited to:
Textile printing: T-shirts, hats, handbags and other clothing and accessories printing, usually using plastisol ink and water-based ink.
Advertisements and logos: Billboards, signs, posters and other outdoor and indoor logo printing, commonly using UV curing ink and solvent-based ink.
Industrial applications: Logo and decoration printing of electronic product housings, dashboards, automotive parts, etc., mostly use solvent-based and UV curing inks.
Packaging printing: Cartons, plastic bags, glass bottles and other packaging materials printing, water-based ink and solvent-based ink are more common.
5. Future development
With the improvement of environmental protection requirements and the advancement of technology, screen printing ink is developing in the direction of environmental protection and intelligence:
Environmentally friendly ink: Water-based ink and UV curing ink with low VOC emissions will be more widely used, and non-toxic and degradable ink formulas will be developed.
Smart ink: Inks with intelligent response functions such as temperature changes and light changes, such as temperature-variable inks and light-variable inks, will bring more innovative applications to screen printing.
