Printer Inks Are Inks Manufactured

By: Mecky Giroth

Printer inks are inks manufactured especially for printers. The quality of printing depends on the type of ink, type of paper and the type of printer used. The quality of ink is reflected in the quality of the final product.

Printer Ink

Printer ink is made from a combination of dyes or pigments, distilled surfactants, de-ionized water, biocides and fungicides, buffering agents, humectants and resins. These combinations ensure that the ink produced matches the quality specification of OEM ink. Dye or pigment of a particular type and quantity is used, and the surfactant helps in balancing the paper wetting and surface tension. Resins ensure paper adhesions and humectants minimize evaporation.

Printer inks are either dye based or pigment based. Dye based inkjet inks are brighter in color and can produce sharp quality printing. Since the drying time is long they often tend to blur. On the other hand pigment inkjet inks are light, fast, waterproof and fade resistant. They also dry much faster than the dye based ink and are more suited for color ink as they prevent blurring. They also have lower toxicity levels than dye-based ink. One of the major goals of the inkjet ink manufacturers is to develop ink that is durable, fade resistant, and waterproof and has the ability to print on any media.

Evolution Printer Ink Cartridges

Printers used ribbons or daisy wheels to print on paper. Let’s take a look at the evolution of printer ink cartridges.
In 1984 ink jet printers and printer cartridges were introduced. Printing documents was now easier and so was changing printer cartridges. There is the drop on demand method where the ink squirts onto the paper through tiny nozzles. By 1990 ink jet print cartridges was widely accepted. Printer cartridges can now print in color as well as in black and white for document. Inkjet printer cartridges can print on just about any sized paper, on fabric and on film. Ink jet printers are used in a variety of settings worldwide and is a popular choice for printing.

Printer Ink Cartridge

Each brand of printer uses a specific type of cartridge. Ink jet cartridges are given an identification number and the models that can use this particular cartridge, is listed. There are a wide variety of cartridges available and you should check your printer’s manual to see exactly what cartridges are available to you. Compatible cartridges are cartridges  that are made according to the exact specs of the original manufacturer.
In choosing a printer check the type of cartridge it will use. You will need to determine if the cartridge is appropriate for the type of printing and the volume of printing you will be doing.
Discount ink cartridges are available online. All you have to do is type ink cartridges or printer cartridges into your search engine. Some sites offer amazing discounts. Pay attention to the cartridge top when purchasing them. I cannot imagine the hard work that created the ink jet printer cartridge, as we know it. It is easy to understand why cartridges are expensive.
1452 - Gutenberg used oil-based ink, moveable type, and an old winepress to make the first printing press.
Martin Luther began the Protestant reformation making extensive use of the printing press.
1714 - The typewriter was born. 1897 - Underwood (by John Underwood) was the prototypical typewriter of its day.
1939 - Charles Carlson developed electrography, which is the first dry writing technique developed in the United States.
1969 - Xerox first introduced dry printing (laser printing) by Gary Starkweather.
1078 - Xerox put out the world’s first business laser printer the Xerox 9700. 1980’s - The use of toner cartridges became obsolete.
1984 - Hewlett-Packard released the first home-based desktop laser printer.