Dye-based vs. Pigment-based Inks

Picking the right label printer for a particular job means weighing a number of variables. Every possible application for labels is a little unique, and focusing on usage patterns is a great way to ensure that a printer produces value for years to come.

Printer owners have to choose whether they’re better off working with dye-based inks or pigment-based inks.

From the environment where labels are going to be displayed to the audience expected to view them, the details add up. One of the choices printer owners have to make is whether they’re better off working with dye- or pigment-based inks.

This is especially relevant when a brand such as SwiftColor offers similar printers that mainly differ in the type of ink they accept. The following are a few guidelines to help buyers make the decision.

Dye-based Inks

When brands need high-quality labels at speed, they can use a printer with dye-based ink, such as the SwiftColor SCL-4000D. Labels emerge from this printer with a professional look, ready for retail shelves. From high-end food items to elegant wine bottles, all sorts of consumer goods labels are great candidates for dye-based inks.

In addition to retail applications, the dye-based printer can create shipping labels to ensure products reach their destinations. Brands that want to impress customers with bold-looking labels and want to produce them at speed, have a top option in the SCL-4000D.

Pigment-based Inks

The decision to turn to pigment-based inks, as used by the SwiftColor SCL-4000P, is often motivated by a need for toughness and durability. Some products are more likely than others to be exposed to liquids or extended periods of direct sunlight. These labels can stand up to suffering abrasions and resist oils and chemicals.

Labels made with pigment-based inks hold up well on medical devices and equipment, as well as the exteriors of cartons. Furthermore, when companies are in the market for chemical labels to stay in compliance with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), pigment-based inks are a winning choice.

General Benefits

The above comparison focuses on two otherwise-identical SwiftColor printers. It pays to dwell on the benefits of those models in general. For example, they print quickly, approaching 8 inches per second.

The quality is also notable – 12000 dots per inch, achieved through inkjet technology. For companies that want larger or smaller labels, the 4000 line and its 4-inch labels are joined by the 2000 line, which produces 2-inch labels, and the 8000 line for 8-inch labels.

You can examine these printers and more by checking out DuraFast’s U.S. website or the equivalent page on our Canadian site.