Switch to latex inkjet printing for bolder, safer and more eco-friendly prints

by Ray Bauer

The wide-format printing space has seen significant change and growth in recent years, with a wider variety of output applications available than ever before. It seems that new and innovative printing options spring up every day. A major undercurrent throughout this growth period has been the move away from using solvent-based inks toward latex inkjet printing.

What’s driving this shift, and why should your print shop consider making the latex inkjet switch? It mostly comes down to three major areas of improvement: environmental responsibility, safety and flexibility.

Protect the environment — in your shop and the planet

The unpleasant odor and potential health effects associated with airborne compounds of solvent-based inks have historically kept in-house wide-format printing operations from flourishing. This was especially true in hospitals, schools and restaurants.

Latex-based inks [have become] just as efficient as solvent inks, enabling printers who have previously been forced to decide between sustainability and their bottom line to finally get everything they need.

The solution? Latex ink.

While latex inks have long been praised for their lower levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) compared with their solvent counterparts, printers have often cited a slow, costly curing and adhesion procedure as the major barrier to entry. Of course, lower VOC production rates from latex inks are better for overall environmental sustainability (and for enabling operators to spend more time in print environments in compliance with OSHA air safety regulations¹), but the potential increase in cost and decrease in productivity has historically limited widespread their adoption.

However, ink technology and substrate selection have come a long way. Ink curing and adhesion processes have improved significantly, making latex-based inks just as efficient as solvent inks. If you've previously been forced to decide between sustainability and your bottom line, you can now finally get everything you need.

Beyond the increased efficiencies, latex inks have also continued to gain momentum in the market for their unique composition and ever-improving technologies. These innovations have brought new levels of flexibility to the wide-format space. For example, improved latex ink formulations are now allowing 25% lower curing temperatures when using uncoated, non-pre-treated or specially prepared substrates.

It is becoming increasingly clear that the only limit to what you can print is your imagination.

Latex flexibility: more substrates, more possibilities

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Another great benefit of latex inks? They let you print to a wider variety of substrates, both in terms of color and substance, which provides you with a larger toolbox to work with. Whether you’re looking to make attention grabbing, eye popping backlit signs, beautifully brand a company car with a wrap, or produce a sharp, customized duvet cover, latex inks can be of assistance — and those examples are just the beginning.

Innovators throughout the print industry are finding lucrative margins and niche markets to leverage the flexibility of latex ink to provide unique services and boost customer satisfaction— impressing customers in the process.

As latex ink technologies continue to surge ahead, it is becoming increasingly clear that the only limit to what you can print is your imagination.

Ray Bauer, Production Marketing Manager, Channel and Field Marketing, Ricoh USA, Inc. (RAC), possesses more than 37 years of experience in the imaging industry, currently focusing on wide format and small format production print. Through extensive travel, Bauer gathers keen voice of the field insight and reports his findings to RAC and Ricoh Company, Ltd. By interfacing with Product Marketing, he helps guide the direction of the wide format business. Most recently, Bauer served as Product Manager for Digital Duplicators for more than 12 years, where his expertise, technical and marketing skills helped define the product category.

¹Occupational Safety and Health Standards (Part 1910, Sub-part Z) (Part 1910, Sub-part Z). United States Department of Labor. Website accessed Sept. 8, 2016.