Surfing the Waves of Inkjet

Published September 19, 2024

Learn how waveforms for piezo printheads impact inkjet print speed by setting the maximum frequency of operation.

Keeping Inkjet Tickled Pink

Published September 12, 2024

Can drop on demand heads stay clear without "spitting" or "scum dots"? Inquiring minds (inkjet nerds) want to know.

Keeping Nozzles Fresh with Flow

Published April 8, 2024

Part 2 of series on managing inks in printheads: a brief reminder of ink recirculation benefits from Inkjet Insight’s Senior Lab Nerd.

When inkjet takes a break

Published March 6, 2024

Latency: it can take less than a second for something bad to happen. Kicking off a series on managing inks in printheads.

Inkjet, Ceramic Tiles, History, and Interior Design

Published February 8, 2024

Learn how developments in industrial inkjet printheads paved the way for digital printing on ceramics.

Inkjet Viscosity Terminology

Published January 9, 2024

In this article we seek to clarify the current terminology being used by manufacturers and commentators alike and put it into context compared to some of the other printing technologies too.

Inkjet Gets into “Hard Core” Applications

Published September 20, 2023

This article picks up the theme of our most recent webinar event regarding industrial applications and innovations.

Unpacking Inkjet Sustainability

Published August 15, 2023

A technical assessment of the meaning of sustainability in terms of inkjet formulation choices within the context of different inkjet market uses

For Ink Delivery Systems It’s okay to suck!

Published July 19, 2023

The inkjet paradox – sometimes it’s not only okay to suck – you have to excel at it. A look at ink delivery systems for inkjet developers.

I like to move it, move it

Published June 28, 2023

If you are developing an inkjet system, you’d better like to move it like King Julien in Madagascar. Let’s talk about inkjet motion systems.

The Inky Innovations Driving Inkjet

Published May 25, 2023

A bit of insight into new and emerging ink chemistry at each end of the spectrum (manufacturing versus production) and what it is looking to achieve.

Getting there quickly and easily with FUJIFILM SAMBA JPC®

Published May 2, 2023

A deep dive into the trade-offs between speed, quality and compatibility when developing new print systems and processes. Sponsored by Fujifilm SAMBA JPC.

The Continuing Evolution of Industrial Printheads

Published April 27, 2023

Printhead manufacturing has continued to evolve to enable what is needed to tackle a growing range of printing and deposition applications. Learn about the latest entrants and capabilities in industrial inkjet.

Navigating Industrial Inkjet Development

Published March 16, 2023

An introduction into the many factors and technologies to be brought together to achieve a custom inkjet solution

The clear advantages of inkjet

Published December 12, 2022

An explanation of the historical evolution in printing with clear inkjet inks, leading to some contemporary industrial applications and approaches.

Inkjet in a Spin

Published October 26, 2022

This article covers some of challenges and innovations underpinning the ability to print directly-to-shapes, a method that could be more eco-friendly than labelling.

How Can FUJIFILM SAMBA® JPC Enable Your UV Application?

Published September 13, 2022

UV inks offer a simplified approach to inkjet implementation, mostly due to the instant curing and compact process for combining with other technology.

Inkjet is Primed for Print Success

Published June 22, 2022

Priming is all about asserting control over the ink and trying to limit the disadvantages that result from low viscosity inkjet inks. As a result, primers are developed for each application type and it is often also critical to getting the right application performance, especially adhesion.

Ceramic Printing – Single Pass Additive Manufacturing

Published April 28, 2022

More about the fascinating process that is evolving from a hybrid analog/digital workflow into a highly digitised manufacturing with more similarities to 3D printing techniques like binder jetting but done in true single-pass.

Protecting and Augmenting Inkjet Prints

Published March 10, 2022

In this technical article we look at some of the chemistry benefits & challenges associated to overcoating inkjet to expand the end-use performance of inkjet products.

Si-MEMS Heads - What is the Fuss About?

Published February 17, 2022

In this article we explain a little more about why we hear so much about this buzz-phrase with reference to latest print head technology and try and explain a little print head manufacturing jargon along the way.

Inkjet for Decorative Surfaces

Published January 13, 2022

The amazing thing about inkjet is the number of applications inkjet has managed to penetrate by offering short runs that generate freedom of design.

Ceramic Tiles & The Recirculation Revolution

Published November 2, 2021

Mark Bale discusses the technical aspects of ink and printheads in one of the early inkjet applications: ceramic tiles.

Is Pigment the Ink for Textiles?

Published September 28, 2021

A look at the growing popularity of pigment inks for textile production and the compatibility with different substrates and processes.

Nozzle Correction for Image Quality

Published July 28, 2021

Since inkjet printing uses arrays of nozzles to precisely jet ink, the effect of blocked or deviating nozzles is one of the biggest barriers to quality. Learn how different systems approach the problem.

What it Takes to Print Folding Carton

Published July 21, 2021

What it Takes to Print Flexible Packaging

Published June 3, 2021

In the second of our three-part technical series on what it takes to print packaging, we focus on the challenges of flexible packaging and consider the specific ink attributes and drying considerations that explain the printers we are beginning to see in the market.

What it Takes to Print Corrugated Packaging

Published April 20, 2021

Mark Bale kicks of a series of "what it takes" substrate challenges beginning with corrugated packaging from 2009 to today.

Security Inks – Invisible Inkjet & Beyond

Published March 31, 2021

Hybrid Ink - The Best of Both Worlds?

Published January 5, 2021

In industrial inkjet, water-based inkjet is undergoing a renaissance. When it comes to the most demanding applications, it is a challenge for aqueous inks to reach the required resistance properties without posing a longer term risk to blocking the head. This is where hybrids inks offer a potential solution.

Energy Curable Inkjet Inks - Wider Usage

Published December 8, 2020

Mark Bale discusses key development in energy curable inks for industrial applications including UV, e-beam and thermal curing.

Inkjet Solutions from Collaboration

Published October 14, 2020

In this post, we discuss the importance of collaboration when it comes to industrial inkjet development.

Inkjet Labels Come of Age

Published September 29, 2020

Building on our previous ink-focused posts, Mark Bale of DoDxAct, who gave his first technical talk on label printing in 2007, looks back at the inkjet journey and what it means for the future of labels & packaging.

Single Pass Inkjet - The Tension Between Jetting and Wetting

Published May 7, 2020

Single Pass - Going with the Inkjet Flow

Published April 23, 2020

When it comes to print heads, the viscosity influence can be critical to the reliability of operation. To understand this, Mark Bale demonstrates in part two of his single pass series.

Single Pass Inkjet - More than a One-Hit Wonder

Published March 11, 2020

The uses of inkjet have grown steadily over the last two decades, taking in 2D, 2.5D and 3D applications. The improvement in productivity throughout has been made possible by increasing levels of technical wizardry. Nowhere is this demonstrated better than for our well-known production printers, which are very, very clever boxes of tricks

The Value in OEM Inkjet Inks

Published October 31, 2018

Have you ever wondered why it is difficult to find 3rd party ink suppliers for production inkjet devices? Mark Bale discusses the pros and cons of OEM supplied inkjet inks versus 3rd party and the key questions to ask if considering working with 3rd-party ink developers.

Inkjet Ink and its Important Additives

Published October 19, 2018

Mark Bale provides an overview of the important differences in inkjet ink characteristics that come from various components such as resins, solvents, humectants and surfactants. With an understanding of these components and how OEMs use them to differentiate their inks, you’ll be better informed next time you have a conversation with your supplier.

Inkjet ink – Carrier Matters

Published October 2, 2018

Mark Bale provides a deep dive into the differences in the approach to colorant carrier in the main categories of inkjet ink: aqueous, oil, hot-melt and UV curable. Ink chemistry matters and different approaches are better suited to specific applications.

Inkjet ink – Chemistry Matters

Published September 24, 2018

First in a new series by Mark Bale discussing the topic of inks. This post explains the chemistry and colorant options available in the production print market. Our aim is to give a non-exhaustive insight in to material differences and how they impact print quality and color.