The effect of ink formulation on colorimetric properties of inkjet printing considering the impact of substrates

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the changes in the performance of ink formulations caused by the addition of compounds that improve the ink’s physical properties to achieve an optimum formulation for inkjet printing, because of the importance and simplicity of this method.

Design/methodology/approach

Ink samples were formulated using Acid Red 14 as ink colorant, different percentages of polymeric compounds including polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone and Carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) as viscosity modifier compounds and surfactant as the surface tension enhancer. Formulated samples were adjusted in terms of fluid physical properties e.g. viscosity, density and surface tension, and the effect of used compounds on the improvement of both physical and colorimetric properties such as viscosity, surface tension, colorimetric coordinates and lightfastness has been evaluated to achieve the optimum printing inks to be printed on three different substrates.

Findings

The experimental observations showed that CMC was the most compatible compound as the viscosity modifier as its viscosity value was in the printable range of 2–22 cP. Moreover, a flow-curve test was applied to the ink samples and their Newtonian behavior was approved. Based on the spectrophotometric test results of printed samples, the samples containing PVA provided acceptable lightfastness in comparison to other ink samples on every used substrate.

Originality/value

An optimum relation between colorimetric coordinates of the printed samples and ink formulation could be considered and achieved.

Citation

Ewaznezhad Fard, D., Gorji Kandi, S. and Khatibzadeh, M. (2022), "The effect of ink formulation on colorimetric properties of inkjet printing considering the impact of substrates", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 51 No. 1, pp. 60-68. https://doi.org/10.1108/PRT-09-2020-0103