As global environmental awareness intensifies, water-based ink has emerged as a leading printing material, gradually supplanting traditional solvent-based inks in the printing industry. Its non-toxic, odorless, and readily biodegradable attributes have opened up vast application possibilities in packaging, publication, and advertising printing sectors.

Many individuals are intrigued by the production process of water-based ink, and we will now delve into the details.

Raw Materials for Water-Based Ink

Water-based ink primarily comprises pigments, resins, additives, and diluents. Pigments, which determine the ink’s color, are categorized into organic and inorganic types. When selecting pigments, their weather resistance, dispersibility, and compatibility with resins are crucial considerations.

Resins serve as the film-forming component of the ink. Among the various types, acrylic resin stands out due to its excellent water resistance, weather resistance, and adhesion, making it the most commonly used resin in water-based ink.

Additives, including wetting agents, dispersants, thickeners, defoamers, and pH adjusters, play a pivotal role in the ink’s fluidity, stability, and printing performance.

Water is the primary diluent, with a small percentage of organic solvent sometimes added to adjust the ink’s viscosity and drying speed.

Production Process of Water-Based Ink

1. Preliminary Mixing of Pigments and Resins
   • Pre-treated pigments are initially mixed with water to disperse the pigment particles.
   • Resins, additives, and diluents are gradually added while stirring to ensure uniform mixing.
   • Stirring speed and time are controlled to maintain optimal pigment particle size, crucial for printing quality.
2. Grinding and Dispersion
   • The preliminarily mixed pigment slurry is sent to grinding equipment to refine the pigment particles and ensure even dispersion in the resin and additives.
   • Grinding is vital for ink quality, directly impacting its printing performance.
3. Filtering and Performance Adjustment
   • After grinding, the color paste is filtered to remove impurities and undissolved pigment particles.
   • The filtered color paste is adjusted for viscosity, bubble removal, and pH stability as needed.
4. Preparation and Dilution of Water-Based Ink
   • The prepared color paste is mixed with film-forming resin, remaining additives, and other raw materials in specific proportions to form the ink.
   • The mixing process requires precise control of component proportions and stirring time to ensure ink stability.
   • The ink is diluted with water or a small amount of organic solvent to meet different printing equipment’s viscosity requirements.
   • Viscosity adjustments are made by adding thickeners or altering the diluent amount.

Quality Control and Inspection

• Production Process Quality Control
  • Rigorous quality control is essential at every stage of production to ensure ink quality.
  • This includes raw material inspection, equipment monitoring, production environment control, and process documentation.
• Finished Product Inspection
  • Finished ink undergoes comprehensive testing for color, viscosity, fluidity, dryness, adhesion, and other properties.
  • Professional equipment is used to evaluate ink performance, ensuring only qualified products enter the market.

Packaging and Storage

• Packaging Process
  • The packaging process follows specific procedures to ensure safety and quality.
  • Filling is controlled to prevent bubbles and splashing, and packaging seals are checked before sealing.
• Storage Conditions
  • Water-based ink should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from sunlight, high temperatures, and humidity.
  • It should not be mixed with flammable or explosive materials.
  • Regular ink condition checks are necessary to address any abnormalities promptly.

Conclusion and Outlook

The intricate and precise production process of water-based ink underscores the printing industry’s dual commitment to environmental protection and quality. With technological advancements and tightening environmental regulations, the water-based ink industry faces promising growth opportunities.

In the future, water-based ink will expand its application in more fields, becoming the preferred choice in the printing industry. Production processes will continue to innovate and optimize to meet market demands and environmental standards.

As environmental awareness grows, stricter requirements for water-based ink’s environmental performance will emerge. Future ink production will focus on researching and applying eco-friendly materials, reducing pollutants, and achieving green production.