FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Ink Receptive Technology

What is an Ink Receptive coating and what does it do?

An Ink Receptive Coating is a polymer-based formulation which is coated onto a substrate to enable the substrate to be ink-jet printed. The polymer absorbs the ink fluids quickly, preventing spreading or over-penetration of the ink on the substrate surface.

What are the benefits of using an Ink Receptive Coating?

An effective ink-receptive coating can offer improved image quality (colour, definition), faster ink-dry time, and greater durability of the printed image. This can lead to improved product quality, lower ink usage, longer product lifetime and faster productivity, saving you money on ink, printing time and giving your printed images a superior appearance to the eye.

What types of substrate can Ink Receptive Coating be used on?

Ready-to-use ink receptive coatings are suitable for coating onto textiles, paper and film, and some rigid substrates. Base polymers for further formulation are also available.

How do I apply an Ink Receptive Coating to my substrate?

Coatings can be applied by a variety of methods: rod coating, bar coating, knife coating, curtain coating, die-slot coating, even spray coating

How much coating do I need to put on my substrate?

On papers a typical weight of coating giving fast ink-dry time would be 15-20 grams/square meter dry. On films the weight of coating needs to be 25-30 grams/square meter dry. The coating weight on textiles can vary widely, depending on the type of textile: light weight polyester materials may need 25-30 grams, whereas heavier weave canvas may require 50-75 grams. Gesso coats (base coats for art canvases) may need up to 150 grams.

Can I use the same type of coating for both water-based and solvent-based inks?

Typically an ink-receptive coating for solvent ink types can be used with eco-solvent, hard solvent, UV and latex inks. However, they won’t work with water-based inks- you need a different type of coating. Some coatings in the market claim to offer printability with both solvent and water-based inks; usually these coatings offer a loss in print quality with one or both ink types. Toner-based print systems also need a different receptive coating.

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Ink Receptive Technologies - A Guide to Ink Receptive Coatings for the Digital Ink Markets

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