Made in USA
Because multi-media printing has become more common, there is also a higher demand for top-quality solvent-based inkjet printers and durable inks that can make printouts last longer on different media. Discerning printing companies turn to leading eco solvent ink suppliers for solutions that can help them save money in the long run. Moreover, they invest in high-quality printers from Epson— particularly those that use solvent-based inks.
At this point, you may be wondering what solvent-based inks are and what makes them superior to other types of large format printing inks. And as you do your research, you’ll likely find that eco solvent ink for Epson is among the more popular types, too. That’s because of the way these solvent-based printing inks are formulated.
Defining solvent-based ink
Solvent-based ink is any ink dissolved in another substance, which can be glycol ether esters or glycol esters and their derivatives. Water is not used to dissolve the ink. The printing industry categorizes this type of ink based on the amount of heat that is necessary to dry the solvent once it is applied on the medium. These are distinguished as aggressive and mild.
About mild solvent inks
Mild solvent is also known as ‘eco-solvent,’ and it uses a generous amount of heat because of the slow-drying solvent. Printers that use eco solvent-based inks have plenty of heaters to make sure that the ink dries appropriately. The cartridges are designed for fast printers. Keep in mind that the faster the printer is, the more heat is needed to dry ink.
Eco solvent ink suppliers carry products with ink formulations that typically have gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) or diethylene glycol diethyl ether as the primary solvent, which is the byproduct of petroleum production. Most of the supply comes from Germany. Eco solvent ink for Epson is preferred by discerning businesses who want to make their printing eco-friendly, as the products are mostly odorless and do not have volatile organic compounds.
What to look for in eco solvent or mild solvent ink
Price is usually the determining factor that can make you choose a particular ink. However, you should also consider eco solvent ink suppliers with products that are GBL-free and EN71-3 and Prop 65 compliant. These qualifications matter when it comes to ensuring the safety of the product
What about aggressive solvent inks?
Aggressive solvent ink requires minimal heat because the solvent is formulated to dry fast. This makes the output highly resistant to the heat of the sun. This is why this type of ink is mostly used for producing outdoor media that needs to be scratch-resistant and weather-resistant.
One of the important things to know about the inkjet ink solvent is they make the color or the pigment in liquid form before application. The liquid evaporates when applied.
Safety precautions
Eco solvent inks for Epson are used for a multitude of applications in the printing industry. But when determining which ink to use, don’t just rely on the terms ‘aggressive’ and ‘mild,’ as these cannot tell how safe (or unsafe) the solvents can be.
To ensure safety in your print shop, read the ink’s safety data sheet. It will show how the cartridge should be used, handled, disposed of, and cleaned. It should also provide information on the long-term and short-term effects of exposure to the solvent.
Where to buy solvent-based inks
Find eco solvent ink for Epson printers at reasonable prices here at STS Inks. We’re among the trusted eco solvent ink suppliers, with over 20 years of experience in manufacturing high-quality pigments and inks in the USA. Don’t hesitate to explore our range of replacement inks for your Epson printer at our website.
