Independent UK-based ink manufacturer ITL has extended its range of replacement, cost-beneficial inks for wide-format printers. The first of this trio is a dual-purpose solvent for versatile output onto both textile and vinyl substrates, the second an alternative to Mimaki's JV5 ink sets and the third a bio-solvent range. All can be supplied globally, in cartridges or in bulk feed options, representing a high quality and cost-effective option for sign-makers and display producers looking to lower costs but maintain their production standards.

The first new product, available for Epson-based solvent engines, is ITL's VTV, a dual-purpose textile and vinyl ink-jet ink in CMYK, orange and green. The formulation promises excellent results on either substrate type without the inconvenience of changing inks, and the manufacturer recommends it for improving environmentally-friendly constituents on textile and polyester-based banners. With these materials it is resistant to washing and fading – especially useful for garment-printing markets, such as high-visibility clothing – although it is also suitable for use on vinyl films and banner products.

"Having a single ink which can meet the needs of a variety of applications at high quality whether on textile- or vinyl-based material offers the display producer an entirely new bandwidth of productivity," explains Peter Williams, ITL's sales and marketing director. "The long-term advantages of the Versatile Textile and Vinyl – VTV – are its lack of compromise on colour intensity, machine performance and reliability, quite apart from the significant cost savings."

ITL's MS5 True Solvent is a colour-matched ink formulated to improve profitability on Mimaki's JV5 printer range, with excellent resistance to scratching, abrasion and alcohol damage. Most notably, these MS5 inks offer a wide colour gamut and strong individual colour density and brilliance, as well as 24 months' outdoor durability without fading in UV light; the printing environment is also improved due to the inks' very low odour.

MS5 is available in CMYK, as well as light cyan (Lc) and light magenta (Lm). Manufactured to ISO9001-2008 quality procedures, the MS5 inks have an extended 18-month shelf-life and are classified as non-hazardous. Ease of change-over is also of particular benefit with the inks, which do not require the machine to be flushed or for new profiles to be created.

i-BiO is a new mild-solvent ink set designed for Mimaki, Mutoh, Roland and Uniform machines which employ Epson's DX3 or DX4 print-heads. With users turning increasingly towards more responsible options, i-BiO's primary qualification is its use of renewable corn oil derivatives in combination with toxicologically safe solvents, resulting in improved biodegradability and production of minimal VOCs. Pure, vibrant colour output is produced consistently with i-BiO, reassuring printers of reliability and superb results.

The i-BiO range does not differentiate between substrates, allowing for photo-realistic production onto both coated and uncoated media. Unlike other biodegradable inks, no additional lamination is required for exterior use, which also increases the options for recycling post-use. i-BiO can be purchased in CMYK, Lc and Lm, orange, green, red and blue.

"Each of these releases represents an opportunity for users to incorporate a cheaper but equally viable new ink into their existing systems with a minimum of fuss in change-over, and with the reassurance of a full warranty," continues Williams. "Our cover is for full parts and labour at a fraction of the price of OEM options in the sector and are backed up by a global network of professional engineers. Further financial benefits come with the ability to buy either in cartridge or bulk form as desired, with a range of chip options."

Manufacturer and supplier of alternative small-, wide- and large-format digital ink-jet inks, ITL (Ink Technologies (UK) Ltd) was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Cheshire, in the north of England. All manufacturing and product development takes places in the UK only and the company achieved the BS EN ISO 9001:2000 standard in 2006, upgraded to ISO 9001:2008 in early 2009. Its products span a multitude of applications, including eco- and full-solvent, water-based, UV-curing and coding inks.