Ink technology past, present and future

A general review of the progress in inks for major printing processes is helpful for a discussion on prospects, problems and likely future trends. Common to all the major printing processes has been the demand for inks to improve productivity while maintaining or improving print quality on a diversity of substrates. Helping the printer to exercise economy and efficiency in the use of materials and energy has been another requirement. Since the 1970s health and safety legislation and attention to environmental pollution problems has influenced commercial and technical trends. More recently environmental protection legislation, particularly that relating to the control of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), is likely to increase research and development activity in fields such as UV-curable inks and water-based ink technology. Conservation of resources is another aspect of environmental protection. From some recent paper absorbency tests, the potential use of an oleochemical alternative to petroleum-derived solvents in litho ink formulations and applications is described. Some developments in the fields of non-impact printing processes and inks are discussed.