What is Inkjet?
In contrast with other traditional printing methods, inkjet technology is a digital, non-contact printing technique. This means that inkjet printing does not require the use of plates to carry the ink onto the substrate, like flexo for example. When printing using inkjet technology, the ink is jetted directly onto the substrate, which speeds up print production times and eliminates plate costs.
How Does It Work?
Inkjet printing is a computer printing technology that recreates a digital image by ejecting drops of ink onto a substrate. It starts with a digital design and computer software. Then, when an inkjet printer receives the signal to print from a computer, an inkjet printhead containing thousands of tiny nozzles ejects microscopic ink droplets onto a substrate. These minuscule drops, invisible to the human eye, give inkjet printing the ability to produce high resolution images.
Different inkjet technologies eject dots of ink onto substrates in different ways. The two main categories of inkjet technologies are continuous inkjet (CIJ) and drop-on-demand (DOD). Colordyne’s digital print engines use DOD inkjet printhead technology, so we’ll focus on this technology.
DOD: Thermal vs. Piezo
DOD produces a drop of ink only when needed. This technology uses large pulses of motion to eject the ink onto a substrate. There are two main methods that make this possible: thermal inkjet DOD and piezoelectric DOD.
Thermal inkjet printing uses an electrical pulses to heat resistors that creates small vapor bubbles to eject the ink droplets. Piezo inkjet printing applies a mechanical form of motion to eject the droplets of ink onto a substrate. Piezo inkjet technology is used in Colordyne’s UV-LED Inkjet Print Engine while thermal DOD is the inkjet technology used in Colordyne’s Aqueous Pigmented Inkjet Print Engine.
Need More Information?
Let our knowledgeable team walk you through each of our technologies and answer your questions. You can contact us today to schedule a one-on-one session with a Colordyne team member.
