Are you currently struggling to produce smudge-free codes due to long ink drying times? It’s a common problem many manufacturers face, often rooted in incompatible ink selection for CIJ printer systems.
There’s only one solution: switch to fast-drying inks, especially those compatible with CIJ systems.
These inks are specifically designed to keep pace with high-speed production lines, offering instant absorption and ensuring sharp prints. But how can manufacturers choose the best fast-drying ink? Don’t miss out on our essential strategy, let’s explore with DSI!
What is Fast-Drying Ink for CIJ Printers?
Fast-drying or instant-drying ink for continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers is a specially formulated ink for CIJ that can instantly dry or absorb to the packaging surfaces.
It’s crucial in high-speed production lines where products move rapidly and must be clearly coded without smudging.
But what qualifies certain inks as fast-drying? Generally, they are solvent-based or formulated with fast-evaporating solvents, enabling instant drying within seconds.
They’re also designed to adhere to curved and irregular surfaces such as bottles, cans, and glass—ensuring smudge-free codes in various formats.
Read About: How to Overcome the Challenges of Printing on Curved or Irregular Surfaces?
Why Fast-Drying Ink Matters in Industrial Printing?
In industrial settings like cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and automotive where items move rapidly, fast-drying ink ensures every marked code remains crisp and legible over time.
It’s also more efficient for manufacturers, eliminating the need for extra drying tools like UV curing systems.
Ultimately, it boosts productivity without slowing line speed or compromising output quality.
Key Applications of Fast-Drying Ink
Instant-drying ink is used across multiple industries, especially in sectors with fast-paced production cycles from beverages to food labelling.
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Bottling and Beverage Industry
The beverage and bottling industry demands precise, smudge-free codes during mass production, often running hundreds to thousands of bottles per minute.
The packaging is typically made of non-porous materials with low ink absorption, so using fast-drying ink ensures immediate drying via evaporation rather than absorption.
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Pharmaceutical Packaging
Fast-drying ink is also ideal for pharmaceutical packaging, which requires permanent codes on small surfaces under high-speed production.
This ink helps manufacturers apply lot numbers, expiry dates, and other critical codes on blister packs, foil seals, and even syringes.
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Electronics and Cables
The electronics and cables industry requires quick-drying ink formulations for coding and marking on materials like rubber and PVC.
Standard and general inks basically do not adhere to these kinds of materials and tend to cause smudging, meanwhile specialized inks with quick-drying formulas can withstand challenging production processes.
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FMCG and Food Labelling
FMCG and food labelling often use a variety of packaging materials, with curved and glossy substrates that require specialised inks.
Additionally, production often occurs in humid conditions, requiring quick-drying ink to maintain legible codes during distribution or cold storage.
Benefits of Using Fast-Drying Ink for CIJ Printers
Why should manufacturers use compatible, fast-drying inks for their CIJ printers? The benefits are significant and include the following:
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Smudge Resistance on High-Speed Lines
CIJ systems often run on high-speed lines, and using fast-drying specialised ink helps prevent smudging. This is especially important for products packed immediately after printing.
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Compatibility with Various Surfaces
Fast-drying inks are compatible with a variety of materials including metal, glass, plastic, and foil making them suitable for slick, curved, and irregular surfaces.
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Reduced Downtime and Clean Operation
With instant drying, this specialised CIJ ink supports continuous production with minimal intervention, helping maintain uptime and reduce downtime effectively.
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Compliance with Industry Regulations
It enables CIJ printers to produce high-resolution, durable codes essential for regulatory compliance and inventory management.
How to Choose the Right Fast-Drying Ink for Your CIJ Printer?
Among the many instant-drying inks available on the market, what should manufacturers consider when choosing the right formulation?
Find out in the following practical and short guide.
- Consider surface compatibility
- Evaluate your production line conditions
- Choose non-toxic ink
- Consider operational efficiency
- Select ink specifically formulated for CIJ printers
Read About: Are Compatible Inks Worth It? Understanding the Risks to Your Printer
Accelerate to Smarter Printing Line with DSI
Clean, smudge-free codes start with the right combination of printer technology and compatible ink formulation. DSI’s CIJ printers are engineered to integrate seamlessly with fast-drying ink, helping you run smarter, more efficient production lines.
Need help selecting the ideal printing solution? View our full range of continuous inkjet printers here.
References
https://www.linxglobal.com/en/products/inks-and-fluids/linx-general-purpose-black-inks/
https://www.needham-ink.com/cij-ink
https://www.kaocollins.com/inktank/fast-drying-inks-for-industrial-printing/
