Aqueous inks. Water-based inks that contain a pigment or dye and dry through exposure to the air. They are commonly used on paper and are not suitable for outdoor use unless correctly coated. (Also see Solvent Inks, below)

Latex ink. A type of heat-fusing, water-based ink that can be applied to uncoated surfaces to create a scratch- and water-resistant finish that is more robust and vibrant than traditional inks. Even though it’s a water-based ink, it can be successfully used on uncoated substrates because it fuses to the substrate just like solvent inks can. They can be used indoors and outdoors. The latest versions of latex ink are now environmentally friendly and no longer release harsh chemicals. Their durability means they can be used in a large range of settings and their fast-drying quality means a faster turn-around time.

Light-fast inks. Inks that hold the intensity of the colour and don’t fade when exposed to natural or artificial lighting. If you’re looking at using these inks, check with your printer for its light-fastness rating, which indicates how long noticeable fading is likely to occur in indoor conditions.

Magnetic ink. Usually used for bank cheques, it’s ink that contains iron oxide so it can be magnetised after printing to create unique codes that can be read by Magnetic Ink Character Recognition equipment. It has a high adhesion and is difficult to erase. Although created over 60 years ago, this effective security method is still in use for bank cheques and other documents requiring authentication such as prescriptions and birth, marriage, and death certificates.

Metallic ink. Inks that create a metallic sheen, usually gold, silver or bronze. They can be mixed with actual or simulated metal flakes. The cost of this ink makes it prohibitive for use on large areas. Alternatives are foil board and pre-foiling.

Process Inks. The inks used in the four-colour print process: cyan, magenta, yellow and black (key).

Rich Black. A mix of solid black ink over one or more CMYK colours so the result is a darker tone than using black only. The formula is C=60, M=40, Y=40, K=100 (240% ink coverage).

Solvent ink. An ink that does not have a water base. Commonly used in inkjet printers. Unlike aqueous inks that are water based, these inks use alcohol or oil which soaks into the substrate more deeply and creates a more permanent image. They work best on substrates such as vinyl and are often used in outdoor print products because they last longer than aqueous inks. Because they use dyes rather than the pigments used in aqueous inks, they don’t produce the same high level of vibrancy that aqueous inks can achieve on paper. It is the most commonly used ink in inkjet printers.

UV ink. A type of ink that cures (dries) when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. These inks are dried during the printing process, making them dry faster than inks that dry by exposure to air or absorption into the paper. The advantage of UV inks is that they don’t fade as fast as conventional inks.

Varnish. A clear matte, gloss or satin ink that produces a sheen, protects against damage or is used to highlight a specific element. Generally added after the printing to give this protective coating.

Vegetable- and Soy-Based inks. An alternative to petroleum or oil-based inks, these inks are more environmentally friendly without any loss of quality. They don’t contain or release the chemicals that synthetic inks do, making them safer for use, safer during the print process, and easier to recycle. Soy-based inks are made from the oil of soybeans mixed with natural resins and waxes. Its ability to produce more vibrant colours than petroleum-based inks makes it a popular choice for high-quantity documents such as newspapers. Vegetable-based inks are made from linseed oil from flaxseed but don’t have this same ability to produce brighter colours than synthetic inks.

To make best use of all these inks, you also need to apply them to the right paper stock. Uncoated stocks are more porous than coated stocks so the ink will soak in deeper, leaving less vibrant colours.

Talk to your local print expert to make sure you get the result you want.

At Glide Print, we share our expertise with our clients and make sure before your products go to print that these details are correct and you’re aware of why we suggest certain print specifications over others.

If you’re not getting the print product quality and personal service you want, talk to us.

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The visual impact of professional quality graphic design is crucial to the success of all your marketing products.

Our designers are fast, creative and professional. We can add to your existing products or create a beautiful design from your ideas.

Glide Print supply all design work from simple tasks like getting your artwork ready for print to creating complex documents such as annual reports and marketing packages. We work closely with our clients to make sure your branding is consistent and the print quality is excellent across all your products.

All of our designers are based in Australia, we don’t outsource our work overseas. You receive personal attention from someone you can talk to and meet. It’s all part of Glide Print’s outstanding service to you.

Like all our products, we supply our design services at Glide Print’s competitive prices.