Inks

Q1.Which are the inking processes (for pre-printing) recommended for thermal paper?
Currently two inking processes dominate the market: flexography (water, UV, solvent), and offset (wet and dry). However, letterpress technology is still used today, even if it is an old technology.

Q2.Are there specific inks for thermal papers?
RICOH recommends the use of special inks for thermal papers, most of the major ink manufacturers are able to propose them.

Q3.Are there any environmentally friendly inks?
It is difficult to speak about 100% environmentally friendly inks. However, it is also true that progress in development, the evolution of the legislation (REACH,…) as well as corporate policies, are helping inks to become “greener”. The recent and quick evolution of low migration inks (food industry,…) is a perfect illustration.

Q4.What is the difference between an ink and a varnish?
Fundamentaly, ink and varnish have a quite similar composition except for the pigments which are present in the inks but not in varnish. Thus, varnish can be considered as an ink without pigment.