Types of Inks Used for Full Color Prints

When you start a printing project for your marketing campaign, your printer may present you with several ink options.  These include dye-based inks, pigmented inks and UV curable inks. These substances have certain features in common such as delivering good quality full color prints.  But they also have different properties so not all of them may fit into your requirements or the use of your printouts. 

It is useful to find out how these inks vary from each other to gauge better which can give you the best possible quality at the cost that you can afford.


Colors that make up full color prints

Printers use an image space called CMYK which is an abbreviation for cyan, magenta, yellow and the key color black.  Although limited to four, these colors can be used to produced hundreds more of specific shades.  These are combined at varying intensities and the result is an extensive color gamut that can respond to most colors found in images.

CMYK is different from the RGB color space found in screens and LCDs.  This is why it is important to convert the image space prior to printing.  Altering is made easy through image editing softwares. 


Inks available


1.    Dye-based inks

Dye-based inks are smooth-flowing water-soluble substances which have vibrant colors but have low lightfastness.  Lightfastness refers to the ability to resist fading brought about by exposure to light.  This type of ink can be absorbed by most paper media. 

Since they dissolve in water, accidental spills, rain or even moisture can ruin prints easily. Hence, they are not suitable for outdoor display or for labels that will be exposed to wet areas.

Some dye-based inks are mixed with solvents to facilitate drying.  Others apply a layer of coating to protect the inks.

Dye-based inks can lower the cost of production since they are relatively inexpensive.


2.    Pigmented inks

This type of ink is more resistant and water, and adheres better on the surface of the paper compared to dye-based inks.  They also stick to most media. 

In addition to this, pigmented inks can withstand light better so it fades within a longer period of time, even extending up to years.

The particles present in pigmented inks do not dissolve in water, so the prints are protected from the risk of wash out or diffusion in water. This makes them ideal for exterior displays.  They also are more resilient to scratches on the surface. 

These inks do not require much quantity to create brilliant colors.  However, they cost much than dye-based inks. 


3.    UV-curable inks

Ultraviolet or UV-curable inks offer quicker drying time and less unstable elements like volatile substances.  This is accomplished by passing inks through UV light.

Printouts of UV-cured inks are vibrant, fade-resistant and waterproof at that, making them appropriate for both indoor and outdoor use.  It boasts longer keeping quality.



Different printers offer different ink options.  Ask them first what ink they use for the specific product your want, e.g., postcards, and then ask them what will best suit it to get the best quality full color prints for your project.