tulostusväri

Tulostusväri is the Finnish term for printing ink, the substance used in various printing technologies to transfer patterns, text, and images onto a substrate, typically paper or textiles. In traditional offset printing the ink is a viscous mixture of colourants, binders, resins, oils, and solvents, formulated to have compatible flow, retraction, and drying characteristics. Digital inkjet printing inks are aqueous or solvent‑based and contain pigments or dyes encapsulated in a polymer matrix, allowing precise deposition through small nozzles onto a wide range of media.

Colourants in tulostusväri come in two principal forms. Pigments are particulate solids that provide opacity and lightfastness; they are favored for high‑quality offset, web, and packaging applications. Dyes dissolve in the ink vehicle, offering vibrant hues and good image sharpness, but are generally less light‑fast and are typically used in small‑format, office, and high‑speed inkjet printers. Both pigment‑ and dye‑based inks contain a binder that adheres the colourant to the substrate and often stabilizers to prevent flocculation or chemical degradation. In environmental terms, pigment inks are considered more eco‑friendly due to lower volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions compared to many solvent‑based formulations.

Tulostusväri technology has evolved with advances in reactivity, digital precision, and sustainability. Modern formulations increasingly incorporate UV‑curable or thermally cured resins, enabling faster drying times and solvent reduction. The adoption of recyclable inks and the development of low‑VOC and water‑based systems reflect industry trends toward reduced environmental impact.

In Finland and internationally, tulostusväri plays a crucial role in publishing, packaging, textiles, and electronics. Standard tests, such as ISO 11529 for offset inks and ISO 12647 for digital inks, benchmark colour accuracy, drying time, and physical properties, ensuring that inks meet the rigorous demands of commercial printing workflows.