Resin ink printers: How to boost productivity

by carly_mchugh | 14 June 2023 11:49 am

By Ginny Mumm

Resin ink and resin ink printers have been around for more than a decade. However, they are among the various digital print technologies that have undergone significant evolution in recent years, as additional manufacturers have entered the market. Today’s expanded range of resin ink products offers bold, rich colour options; an ability to handle a wide assortment of media; environmentally friendly, low volatile organic compound (VOC) output; fast-drying prints; and overall versatility, allowing users to produce a wide variety of applications, including wallpaper and fabrics, vehicle graphics, canvas printing, and interior and exterior signage.

For a closer look at the latest innovations in resin ink and printers, we spoke with Daniel Valade, product manager of digital print for Roland DGA, about how this technology has evolved to meet today’s demands, along with its benefits for professionals in the signage and digital printing industries.

Perhaps we should start by defining resin ink. Is it the same as latex ink?

Daniel Valade (DV): Resin ink and latex ink are different names for similar, water-based, multi-purpose ink technologies. There is not really any latex or resin in the inks, but the names help brands differentiate themselves.

Although many of today’s latex and resin ink technologies are similar, actual ink formulations differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some of them have greater media compatibility compared to others.

However, overall, media restriction is less of an issue than it has been in the past for resin and latex inks. The latest generation of formulations are designed to work well on a wide range of substrates.

How is resin ink different from eco-solvent ink or solvent ink?

DV: Solvent and eco-solvent inks contain a solvent carrier that creates a hole in the substrate, carrying the pigment into the material. After several hours, the solvent outgasses, leaving behind vibrant, durable colour.

With resin ink printing, the material is preheated, then the printer releases a droplet of optimizer on the substrate. The ink then lands in a clean dot of optimizer and has just the right amount of dot gain. Using a high-quality optimizer is critical for controlling the level of dot gain and, therefore, controlling output quality.

How does the colour performance of resin ink compare to other technologies?

DV: In the past, resin ink colours have had a track record of not being quite as deep and rich as those printed using eco-solvent ink. However, with today’s advanced equipment and formulations, some resin inks are able to achieve colours that match the performance of eco-solvent inks.

Further, the latest printers use advanced technology such as variable dot control to fire different types of ink droplets, yielding unparalleled image quality. The newest ink formulations also create more durable prints with greater scratch resistance.

Why are resin ink printers becoming so popular with print service providers (PSPs)?

DV: There are a couple of reasons for the increasing popularity of resin ink printing. First, using the water-based technology found in latex or resin inks is required for print products in certain environments, such as schools, health care facilities, and hospitals. This sustainability aspect of resin inks is also more in demand overall, especially for interior graphics. Some manufacturers’ formulations have even achieved the Greenguard Gold certification standard.

Second, many people appreciate the time savings from resin ink production, which does not require additional post-production steps such as outgassing. Depending on the manufacturer, prints produced on eco-solvent or solvent printers require anywhere from six to 48 hours of outgassing time before the prints are ready for installation or finishing. Resin ink prints are ready to laminate, install, or ship much more quickly, and these time savings can be a significant advantage—especially for high-volume print shops.

Why are resin inks an optimal solution for high-volume production?

DV: Many resin ink printers are designed to be high-volume production machines and offer users lower running costs compared to other technologies. Further, since resin ink prints do not require any post-production steps, the printer can be loaded with one material and left to run for hours. This makes these machines ideal for printing on fabrics for walls or furniture, interior signage, window graphics, floor graphics, or fleet graphics.

What types of media work best with resin ink printers?

DV: Over the past few years, resin ink technology has evolved significantly, and the range of media these inks adhere to has expanded. These days, manufacturers are jumping at the opportunity to help PSPs make use of a wider range of materials. In fact, with certain machines, users can access more than 150 different media profiles. Of course, there are also specialty materials designed for resin printers. However, when paired with the latest hardware, resin ink is compatible with a variety of media types and is a perfect solution for traditional signage materials, as well as for fabrics, wallpapers, and uncoated papers.

What types of applications can be run on resin ink printers?

DV: Today’s resin ink printers are great for production of a range of permanent and temporary signage, including wall, window, and floor graphics; retail and office graphics; posters; banners; stickers; and labels.

Due to their eco-friendly composition, resin ink prints are in demand for indoor signage and decor, particularly at schools and medical facilities. Since these prints are viewed at close range, they also tend to be higher-margin products for print shops.

Additionally, the durability of resin inks has improved to the point where resin prints are competitive for outdoor graphic applications, such as vehicle or fleet graphics. Some manufacturers’ latex or resin ink formulations are best used for wraps on box trucks and trailers, where less conformability is required. However, some of the newest resin inks are far less prone to cracking, which make them a better choice for wrapping vehicles with many curves and edges.

What are some of the features shop owners should look for when considering a resin ink printer?

DV: First, a shop owner should make sure the printer they are evaluating has the production capability and throughput required for their business. Resin ink printers are available in a range of production speeds, so it is important the printer they are considering can produce at the speed and volume they need to maintain their shop’s productivity.

Second, they should ask for test prints, to ensure the ink formulation and printing technology offered by a given manufacturer can produce high-quality prints for a variety of applications. If their team is considering adding high-margin products such as vehicle or environmental graphics to their portfolio, they will need an inkset and a printer that can consistently produce vibrant, rich, durable, and adaptable prints.

Third, as with all wide-format products, they should look for a manufacturer known for producing reliable equipment. For most shops, printing equipment is one of their most important investments, and it is critical the printer they select remains functional and continues to produce vibrant, detailed output over time. It is also a good idea to inquire about the printhead technology. Some manufacturers use a thermal printhead, which can degrade over time, resulting in colour variation when trying to repeat a print. Other companies use a piezoelectric printhead, a type of industrial printhead that consistently delivers vivid, accurate prints year after year, without the need for replacement. Thus, if a shop needs to repeat a print three or four years later, they will not have to worry about being able to produce the same colours.

Lastly, it is important to seek out a resin ink printer manufacturer that provides great support and a solid, trouble-free warranty. While most manufacturers offer a one-year warranty, there are certain companies that back up their products for two years, or even offer extended warranty options for up to five years.

What do you see for the future of the resin ink printing market?

DV: Overall, the printed graphics market will continue its current pattern of growth, and the popularity of resin ink printers will increase further as the market expands. Signage and custom graphics are more in demand than ever, and although eco-solvent ink still makes up the bulk of the outdoor durable graphics market, more users are seeking out resin ink printing technologies. The sustainability of resin and latex inks, along with the improved, fast-drying formulations now available, are making this type of print production more popular than ever.   

Ginny Mumm is a freelance consultant for digital inkjet printer/cutter provider Roland DGA. For more information, visit www.rolanddga.com.

Source URL: https://www.signmedia.ca/resin-ink-printers-how-to-boost-productivity/

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