Ink knowledge interview: Industry experts tell you the production process of ink!

Ink is a pigment material widely used in printing and marking, which not only provides a variety of colors and effects, but also has excellent adhesion and durability. In this article, I will interview an expert in the ink industry to learn about the process of ink production.

First, I interviewed an ink industry expert named Mr. Li. Mr. Li is a quality control manager in a printing company with extensive experience and knowledge in ink production.

Mr. Lee told me that the process of making ink begins with choosing the right pigment. Pigment is the main component of ink, which determines the color and quality of ink. Common pigments include organic pigments, inorganic pigments and metallic pigments. According to different needs, ink manufacturers can choose different pigments to meet customer requirements.

Next, the pigment is mixed with a variety of additives. The role of the additives is to adjust the viscosity, fluidity and drying speed of the ink. The selection and proportion of additives is the key link in the ink production process, which can effectively improve the printing performance and durability of the ink.

The mixed pigments and additives are then further mixed with the resin. The resin is the curing agent of the ink, which can enable the ink to cure quickly after printing and adhere to the surface of the print. Common resins include polyester resin, acrylic resin and cellulose acetate resin.

Finally, the mixed ink is evenly mixed by a high-speed mechanical mixer. In this process, the viscosity and consistency of the ink need to be controlled to ensure that the ink can smoothly pass through the cylinder and nozzle of the printing machine.

In addition to the above production process, ink manufacturers also need to carry out a series of tests and quality control to ensure that the quality and performance of the ink meet the requirements. Common tests include ink color consistency, adhesion, durability and weather resistance.

In the interview, Mr. Li also mentioned some common problems in the ink production process. He said that different types of pigments and additives sometimes have adverse reactions, resulting in a decline in the performance of the ink. In addition, the temperature and humidity during the production process will also affect the production quality of the ink. Therefore, ink manufacturers need to closely monitor the operation of each step and make timely adjustments.

Opening the corner of ink production, I have a deeper understanding of the process. Although the ink production looks simple, but it contains a lot of details and skills. Through continuous research and practice, ink industry experts strive to improve the quality and performance of ink to provide better products and solutions for the printing and signage industry.