WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE OF WHITE INK?

WHAT IS THE
ADVANTAGE OF WHITE INK?

White ink expands the range of potential print applications. It can be used as a base layer when printing onto coloured media and transparent film. The white layer eliminates show through and ensures colour integrity. White ink can even be used to add a texture, such as a snakeskin effect, to the print media.

Tip:

White ink expands the range of print applications. It can be used to print an opaque layer on coloured and transparent media or to add a texture, such as snakeskin or leather.

Some systems include a dedicated channel for white ink whilst others require the use of an existing colour channel. It is not advisable to change colours once a machine has been configured as it is necessary to flush out the original colour, taking the system offline and wasting ink.

It is important to understand the costs of white ink printing. A comparatively large volume of white ink is required to create a white base layer and productivity can be reduced by as much as 50% if the printhead needs to make an additional pass.

Considerations:

If printing solely onto white substrates, white ink may not be required.
Is white ink available on demand (dedicated channel) or do I need to use a colour channel?
If I have to change colours, how long does it take and how much ink is wasted?
Can I print white ink at the same time as other colours or does it require a separate pass?