Influence of colorant on Ink-jet Printing Quality

This study aims to analyse how inks of different colorant present unlike printing quality on selected substrates in inkjet printing. Applying Epson piezoelectric inkjet printer, experiments of printing pigment-based ink and dye-based ink on various substrates (coated art paper, porous photo paper, swellable photo paper, PP synthetic paper, xuan paper and PET-based coated film) were carried out respectively. Using digital microscope, the spreading, penetrating and distributing of ink drops were observed. Water fastness and light fastness were evaluated through aging test and water-immersing test, by measuring the decreasing of optical solid density. Taking the formula of inks and the composition of coating layers into consideration, contrast and analysis of print quality with different black inks on substrates of diverse support body were studied. The result demonstrates: Both dye-base and pigment-base inks present ideal optical density in special-purpose photo paper (swellable or porous type), exhibit distinct writing picture edge, and excellent water fastness and light fastness. While, coated art paper, PP synthetic paper, xuan paper and PET-based coated film, which shows relatively rough surface or weak ink absorbancy, are more suitable to use pigment-based ink.