Who is eco solvent suitable for?

Eco-solvent is a versatile ink that is suitable for a wide range of applications. It is mainly used for printing on materials that need to be resistant to weather influences and wear.

Eco-solvent is ideal for:

• Large format prints: Think of banners, billboards, posters and other advertising expressions that are placed outside.
• Floor graphics: Eco-solvent prints are durable and can withstand heavy foot traffic.
• Car lettering: The prints are resistant to the elements and wear and tear of daily use.
• Decorative prints: For example, wall stickers, window film and other decorative elements.
• Industrial applications: Labels, signs and other markings that are used in industrial environments.

Why is eco-solvent so suitable for these applications?

• Weather resistance: Eco-solvent prints are resistant to sunlight, rain, snow and extreme temperatures.
• Abrasion resistance: The prints are scratch-resistant and can withstand a knock or two.
  Short drying time: The ink dries quickly, allowing you to quickly get started with the final product.
• Wide colour gamut: Eco-solvent offers a vibrant and wide colour gamut.
• Flexibility: Eco-solvent prints can be applied to various types of materials, such as vinyl, canvas and paper.

In short:

Eco-solvent is the perfect choice if you are looking for a durable, weather-resistant and flexible printing method for large format applications and other projects where quality and durability are important.

What do you need to work with eco solvent?

To work with eco solvent, you will need a number of specific materials and equipment. Below is an overview:

Essential supplies for eco solvent printing:

• Eco solvent printer: This is a specialized printer that is designed to work with eco solvent ink. These printers are often large format and can print on various materials, such as vinyl, canvas and paper.
• Eco solvent ink: This ink is water-based and contains fewer harmful substances than traditional solvent inks.
• Print media: These are the materials on which you print, such as self-adhesive vinyl film, canvas, banner material and backlit film.
• Computer and design software: You will need a computer to create your designs. Popular design programs include Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, and Photoshop.
• Cutting plotter (optional): A cutting plotter is used to cut printed materials to size.

To work with eco-solvent, you will need a specialized printer, ink, print media, a computer, and possibly a cutting plotter. In addition, there are a number of optional tools that can make the job easier.

What should I pay attention to with eco solvent?

When working with eco solvent, there are a number of important things you should pay attention to to guarantee both the quality of your work and your own safety:

Safety measures:

• Ventilation: Ensure sufficient ventilation in the room where you are working with eco solvent. The fumes can be irritating to the respiratory tract. Consider using an exhaust system.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Always wear gloves, safety glasses, and a dust mask to prevent contact with the ink and fumes.
• Avoid skin contact: Wash hands after working with eco-solvent and avoid touching your face while working.
• Storage: Store eco-solvent ink in a cool, dry place and out of reach of children.

Quality of the final product:

• Substrate: Choose the right substrate (e.g. vinyl, canvas, banner material) for your application. Each material has different properties and may require different printer settings.
• Profiles: Use the correct profiles in your design software to optimize the colors and quality of the print.
• Maintenance: Clean your printer regularly and replace the ink cartridges according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Environmental factors: Temperature and humidity can affect the drying time and the quality of the print.

Environment:

Waste: Dispose of empty ink cartridges and other waste materials in the correct manner.
Energy consumption: Eco-solvent printers consume relatively high amounts of energy. Consider energy-saving measures.

Costs:

Ink: Eco-solvent ink can be expensive, especially for large projects.
Maintenance: Considering the regular cleaning and replacement of parts, maintenance costs can increase.

Other considerations:

Colour fastness: Although eco-solvent prints are generally colourfast, some colours may fade slightly under the influence of UV radiation.
Flexibility: Some eco-solvent prints may be less flexible at low temperatures.
Drying time: Drying time may vary depending on environmental conditions and the thickness of the ink layer.

By taking these points into account, you can make the most of the possibilities that eco-solvent printing offers and at the same time create a safe and sustainable working environment.

What printable flex foils are there?

Pros and Cons of Eco Solvent

Eco-solvent is a popular choice for large format printing, but like any technology, it has its pros and cons. Let’s take a closer look:

Pros of Eco-solvent

• Weather resistance: Eco-solvent prints are particularly suitable for outdoor use. They are resistant to sunlight, rain, snow and extreme temperatures.
• Abrasion resistance: The prints are scratch-resistant and can withstand a knock or two, making them ideal for applications where the prints are subject to a lot of wear and tear.
• Fast drying time: Compared to other inks, eco-solvent dries relatively quickly, allowing you to quickly move on to the next step in the production process.
• Wide colour range: Eco-solvent offers a vibrant and wide colour gamut, allowing you to create photorealistic prints.
• Flexibility: Eco-solvent prints can be applied to various types of materials, such as vinyl, canvas and paper.
• Less harmful to health: Compared to traditional solvent inks, eco-solvent inks are less harmful to health and the environment. environment.

Disadvantages of eco-solvent

• Cost: Eco-solvent printers and their associated inks can be a significant investment.
• Ventilation: Although eco-solvent is less harmful than traditional solvent inks, good ventilation in the print room is still important.
• Odor: Some people experience a slight odor when working with eco-solvent inks.
• Limitations with certain materials: Although eco-solvent can be printed on many materials, there are certain materials that it does not adhere to as well.
• Energy consumption: Large format printers generally consume a lot of energy.

In short, eco-solvent is a versatile and popular printing technique with many advantages, but it is important to weigh the pros and cons before making a choice.

What do printable flex foils cost?

* The prices mentioned are guidelines and may vary per project. When calculating the price for an A4 logo, we have included a margin to take into account cutting loss and material loss during peeling of the transfers. The price per meter is based on a purchase of a full roll of 25 meters. For an exact quote based on your specific design, it is best to contact us.

Frequently asked questions about eco solvent