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Introduction to Production Printing: The World of Inks and Their Uses

Intro to Production Printing: The World of Inks and Their Uses

World of Inks and Uses – Episode Summary

In this chemistry-rich episode of The Print University, Ryan McAbee and Pat McGrew dive deep into the science, selection, and performance of inks across multiple print technologies. From flexography and gravure to wide format and digital production presses, this course delivers foundational ink knowledge for printing technician certification online, digital printing press training, or advanced printing industry training programs for new employees.

The episode opens with a clear message: ink is part of a system. Performance depends not only on the ink itself but also on the substrate, drying method, finishing process, and environmental factors. Pat and Ryan explore the core ingredients of ink—pigments, binders, solvents, and additives—and how these components affect color vibrancy, adhesion, and durability.

You’ll learn the differences between dye-based and pigment-based inks, including use cases for each. Then the duo introduces seven major ink categories:

  1. Paste Inks – used in offset printing; thick and highly customizable.

  2. Aqueous Inks – water-based; used in high-speed inkjet, wide format, and sustainable packaging.

  3. Latex Inks – fast-drying, durable, and ideal for wide format.

  4. Solvent/Eco-Solvent Inks – substrate-flexible but environmentally regulated.

  5. UV-Curable Inks – cured with LED or laser light; sits on top of substrates with instant finishability.

  6. Dye Sublimation Inks – for textiles and soft signage.

  7. Specialty Inks – including metallics, fluorescents, and low-migration food-safe formulations.

From printhead compatibility to curing profiles and regulatory shifts, this course highlights ink as a strategic choice that directly impacts product quality and profitability.

You Will Learn:

  • Ink system fundamentals: pigment load, binders, drying/curing, and substrate interaction

  • Pros and cons of ink types: aqueous, UV, solvent, latex, dye, pigment, paste

  • Application considerations: color fidelity, adhesion, durability, off-gassing, and finishability

  • The role of primers and dot gain control in ink performance

  • How ink innovation impacts sustainability, regulation, and cost management

Who This Course Is For:

Print operators, production managers, prepress specialists, finishing leads, and R&D staff engaged in printing technician certification online, digital printing press training, or outsourced training for print production staff

Time to Watch:

Approx. 30 minutes