The type of ink used for industrial printing plays a critical role in print quality, durability, production speed, and environmental impact. The three most common ink types; UV curable, solvent-based, and water-based inks - each offer advantages depending on the application and substrate.
So which inks are best to use for which substrates? In this blog, we’ll do a deep dive into all 3 types of ink, and where they’re best used.
UV-curable inks use a unique chemical process that allows them to harden almost instantly when exposed to ultraviolet light. Instead of drying through evaporation like solvent or water-based inks, UV inks contain photoinitiators that react to UV energy and trigger a rapid curing process. This reaction transforms the liquid ink into a durable solid layer within seconds.
Because the ink cures immediately, it remains on the surface of the material rather than being absorbed. This makes UV inks highly effective for printing on non-porous substrates such as plastics, metals, glass, and coated materials. The fast curing process also allows manufacturers to increase production speeds while reducing drying time and handling.
UV inks are commonly used for printing on difficult to print on substrates, but there's really no limit to what UV curable inks can print on. Using UV curable inks for plastics, metals, glass, and other non-porous materials make them ideal for many industrial manufacturing environments.
Solvent-based inks use chemical solvents to carry pigments and binders. When the ink is printed, the solvent evaporates, leaving the pigment bonded to the surface of the substrate. This process allows the ink to slightly penetrate or soften certain materials, creating strong adhesion and long-lasting prints.
Because of their durability and resistance to environmental conditions, solvent inks are widely used in applications where prints must withstand moisture, sunlight, and outdoor exposure. They are particularly effective on flexible or non-porous materials.
These inks are often used in outdoor signage, labels, and flexible packaging. However, solvent inks can produce higher VOC emissions and may require ventilation.
Water-based inks use water as the primary carrier for pigments or dyes. Instead of relying on chemical solvents, the water evaporates or is absorbed by the material being printed. This makes water-based inks a popular choice for applications where environmental impact, safety, and low odor are important considerations.
These inks perform best on porous substrates such as paper, cardboard, and corrugated materials, where the ink can absorb into the surface and dry efficiently.
Water-based inks are commonly used in packaging, labels, corrugated printing, and paper-based products.
No single ink type is best for every application. The right choice depends on substrate type, durability requirements, production speed, and environmental considerations.
TROY Group offers advanced industrial ink solutions through its InkGenuity™ portfolio, designed to deliver reliable performance across demanding printing environments.
InkGenuity UV-curable inks provide fast curing, excellent adhesion, and durable prints on a wide range of substrates, ideal for high-speed industrial production.
InkGenuity water-based inks offer strong performance on porous materials while maintaining low odor and environmentally friendly operation.
Together, these solutions allow manufacturers and integrators to choose the ink technology that best fits their substrates, equipment, and production requirements.
To learn more about InkGenuity, download our free brochure.