Printing Systems
Water-Based Printing System
A water-based printing system prints with ink that has a water-based carrier onto surfaces such as textile and paper. Drying and fixation conditions are set by the material and the ink series.
01 / About the System
What is Water-Based Printing System
In water-based inks, the colourants sit in a water-based carrier. This ink class is used in textile and paper printing; the suitable material and ink series are chosen according to the application.
Because the carrier is water, removing the water after printing is an important step of the process. Drying temperature and time are set according to how the material absorbs water and the ink series.
The surface structure of the material directly affects the print result. Test prints on the target materials are made at the start of the process to confirm colour and drying results.
02 / Applications
Areas of use
- 01
Textile printing
Printing on fabric surfaces with a suitable ink series.
- 02
Paper printing
Graphic and image printing applications on paper surfaces.
- 03
Samples and prototypes
Short-run prints for pattern trials and sample production.
- 04
Short-run production
Low and medium volume print jobs; suitability is set by the material.
How the material absorbs water and the drying result are confirmed with a test print in each application.
03 / System Structure
Process flow
- 01Preparation
Preparation
Colour settings are prepared for the image file and the material.
- 02Printer
Printing
The image is printed onto the material with water-based ink.
- 03Drying
Drying
The water carrier is removed; time and temperature are set according to the material.
- 04Finishing
Finishing
If needed, steps such as fixation or cutting are applied and the product is prepared for production.
Drying temperature and time vary with the material and the ink series.
04 / Process
Supply and Commissioning Process
In a water-based system the configuration is set together with the material type to be printed, the drying need and the expected production pattern. The drying solution can matter as much as the printer when choosing the system.
- 01
Needs assessment
The material types to be printed (textile or paper), the product group and the drying need are identified.
- 02
System configuration
The printer, the drying solution and the ink series are defined according to the material and the production pattern.
- 03
Supply
It is clarified whether the supply scope covers only the printer or also the drying solution.
- 04
Installation
The energy need of the drying solution and its layout in the print area are addressed in the installation plan.
- 05
Commissioning
In test prints, colour and drying results are confirmed on the target material.
- 06
Technical support
If colour or drying results show problems after commissioning, a technical service request can be created.
05 / Related Ink
TrueHue Water-Based inks
The ink for this system can be selected from the TrueHue Water-Based family. Compatibility is not determined by the ink alone; the machine configuration, the print head, the material being printed and the drying conditions are assessed together.