Tulostusväreissä

Tulostusväreissä, known in English as printing inks, are colored substances used in printing processes to create images on surfaces like paper, plastic, or textiles. These inks are typically composed of pigments or dyes for color, a binder or vehicle that carries the pigment and adheres it to the substrate, and additives that modify properties like viscosity, drying time, and gloss.

The composition of printing inks varies significantly depending on the printing method and the intended application. Common printing methods include offset lithography, flexography, gravure, and screen printing, each requiring inks with specific rheological and drying characteristics. For example, offset inks are often oil-based and dry by oxidation or absorption, while flexographic inks are frequently water-based or solvent-based and dry by evaporation.

Pigments provide the color and opacity of inks, while dyes offer transparency and vibrancy. Binders, such as resins or oils, are crucial for ink transfer and adhesion. Additives can include waxes for slip resistance, driers to accelerate drying, plasticizers for flexibility, and stabilizers to prevent settling. The choice of materials directly impacts the ink's performance, durability, and appearance on the final printed product. Ensuring the correct ink formulation is essential for achieving high-quality and consistent printing results.