With the growing adoption of new technologies and a heightened awareness of environmental protection, benzene-based gravure inks have gradually become obsolete. In their place, ester-soluble and alcohol-soluble inks—especially water-based inks—have gained significant traction in recent years due to their eco-friendly properties. This shift has sparked a movement within the industry toward more sustainable practices. According to reports, in developed regions such as Europe and North America, water-based inks now account for over 80% of the gravure ink market. However, in China, solvent-based inks still dominate the market, with many companies remaining cautious about transitioning to water-based alternatives. Below, I share my insights on water-based inks, hoping to contribute to a broader understanding and promote their wider use.
The Key Advantages of Water-Based Inks
(1) The primary solvent in water-based inks is water, often supplemented with small amounts of alcohols like ethanol, butanol, or isopropanol. These alcohols help dissolve resins more effectively, improve pigment dispersion, and enhance drying and anti-foaming performance. Compared to traditional solvent-based inks, water-based inks emit significantly fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs), reducing air pollution and improving the working environment for printing operators. This makes them safer and healthier for workers.
(2) Although the initial cost of water-based inks may be slightly higher than that of solvent-based inks, the main solvent—water—is inexpensive. As a result, the overall cost of using water-based inks can be comparable or even lower than that of solvent-based options in practical applications.
(3) Domestic manufacturing technology for water-based inks has matured (with the exception of metal inks), and application techniques continue to improve. Historically, water-based inks had issues such as slow drying, poor gloss, weak water resistance, and smudging. However, these problems have been largely addressed, making modern water-based inks suitable for high-standard packaging applications, including tobacco, food, beverages, and pharmaceutical products.
(4) Water-based inks also reduce fire hazards and risks associated with static electricity and flammable solvents, offering a safer alternative for industrial use.
Challenges Faced by Water-Based Inks
(1) A key challenge lies in the resin amination process used in water-based inks. Organic amines are typically required, which can be expensive. To cut costs, some manufacturers substitute or partially replace them with ammonia, which emits a strong, unpleasant odor. This not only affects the work environment but can also leave residual smells on printed materials. Since 2007, the State Environmental Protection Administration has imposed limits on ammonia content in water-based inks, capping it at ≤3%. Ammonia is classified as a harmful substance, indicating that not all water-based inks meet environmental standards. For sensitive packaging applications like food, medicine, and tobacco, inks must be free from irritating odors, meaning not all water-based inks are suitable for such uses.
(2) Another drawback is the slower drying speed of water-based inks, especially when printing large solid color areas on non-absorbent substrates like transfer paper. Drying can be several times slower than with solvent-based inks. To ensure complete drying, higher drying temperatures are often needed. If temperature adjustments are not possible, printing speed must be reduced, which lowers efficiency.
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