Water ink, as the name suggests, is water based ink which has pigments suspended within it. This is an environment friendly ink and does not make use of harsh chemicals that affect the environment. Water based inks can be used to print almost everything like stickers, towels, canvas, paper as well as shirts, jeans, apparels, jackets, hats and many others.
In short water inks can be used on any item as long as it can be subjected to screening through the press. One can also print designs on polyester and cotton clothes using water inks.
Water based inks are very well known for the soft quality of print which they provide. This is due to the fact that the colors generated by water print are much more vibrant and scintillating. Water based ink sits on the fabric which is to be printed. This not only enhances the fabric but it also increases the amount of comfort for the one who is wearing the fabric.
Water ink is the buzz word these days as it eliminates dampening related VOCs from the entire printing process. Due to the availability of water inks, the waterless pressroom is VOC-free, thus saving the ozone layer from its harmful effects. One of the prime reasons for the VOC emission is the solvent based press. Due to this revolutionary water ink technology, the need for solvent based press and blanket wash solutions is eliminated and hence the VOC output is proscribed to some extent.
Water based ink is more environment friendly, as after some prints, the screens can be cleaned with water. Water inks do not contain any ozone depleting chemicals like CFCs, HCFCs or any other volatile solvents. As mentioned earlier water inks are prepared from different solvents and hence one can give them the desired properties like pH stability, fast drying, strong and bold colors, low viscosity, high heat and oil resistance and many other features depending upon the genre of fabric or the purpose which it serves.
Water inks are great alternative as long as “Go Green” is concerned, and it’s not only for the environment, it’s for us- The Mankind.
