Solvent printing is an effective production solution when the graphics must be delivered under challenging conditions and create a strong visual impact. This technology is suitable for printing on outdoor banners, vehicle graphics, retail displays or store interiors where print quality, durability, and finish are important.
Combined with a cutter, a solvent printer can produce custom-shaped items such as stickers, decals, vehicle graphics, lettering, and shaped signage.
What is Solvent Printing?
Solvent printing is one of the wide-format printing processes that uses solvent-based or eco-solvent inks to create durable graphics. The ink formulation bonds to surfaces it is compatible with, which makes the technology appropriate for applications exposed to sunlight, moisture, handling, and abrasion.
Eco-solvent technology is included in modern solvent printing technology and allows to print detailed images with good color rendering and consistency while providing suitable applications where lower-emission ink technology is required.
How Does Solvent Printing Technology Work?
During the printing process, precision printheads deposit controlled droplets of ink as the substrate moves through the printer. The solvent component helps the ink bond to the surface, and the ink is cured and dried for handling and finishing.
With the latest printhead technology and control of the droplets, current solvent printers allow for printing sharp details, smooth gradients, and consistent colors over large-format graphics. These features are especially useful for businesses that are involved in professional sign and graphics production, where output needs to remain consistent across different project sizes.
Applications of Solvent Printing
Solvent printing is quite versatile and can be used for several commercial and creative applications.
Outdoor Signage and Banners
Outdoor graphics must withstand exposure to sunlight, rain, and temperature changes. Outdoor signage and banners work well for billboards, street banners, promotional signs, and weather-sensitive signage where durability is critical.
Vehicle Wraps and Graphics
There are curved and flexible surfaces to be considered, and the graphics must withstand daily use while maintaining their appearance. Solvent printing is used to print on almost any type of vehicle wrap, lettering, or graphics for vehicles, including cars, vans, and other vehicles.
Window and Floor Graphics
Printed graphics are suitable for storefront windows, promotional graphics and floor displays in retail stores, offices and commercial spaces. Window graphics can be used to turn otherwise unused surfaces into marketing or information areas, and floor graphics can be used to support temporary campaigns or branded environments.
Wallpaper and Interior Murals
Interiors with detail and accurate color reproduction are essential for decorative wall graphics, murals, and wallpaper printing. Eco-solvent printing can be utilized for applications in residential, retail, office, and other interior spaces.
Flexible Packaging
For some flexible packaging applications, such as labels, pouches, and film packaging, solvent printing is also available. The printability of a specific printer and ink will depend on the substrate, the application, the finishing requirements, and the use.
Why Choose Print-and-Cut Solutions?
Printing can be just one part of the process for many graphics companies. When the design is printed, stickers, decals, vehicle graphics, lettering, and shaped signage may need to be accurately cut to the contour.
These processes are brought together in a coordinated workflow by a print and cut solution. This can help minimize handling between production steps and also help businesses create accurately finished graphics more efficiently.
Designed for use with signage, stickers, banners, and vehicle wraps, the Epson SureColor S7170 Print Cut Edition 64” Solvent Printer from Imaging Spectrum is a combination of a 64” solvent printer with cutting. Businesses can also pair their printing workflow with dedicated Graphtec cutters for precise finishing and contour cutting.
FAQs–
What is solvent printing mainly used for?
Solvent printing is widely employed in the commercial graphics industry for durable applications such as outdoor signage and banners, vehicle graphics, window graphics, floor graphics, murals and some flexible packaging applications.
What is eco-solvent printing?
Eco-solvent printing is a low-emission printing technology that is suitable for uses that demand detailed, durable graphics where lower solvent emissions are desired than with conventional solvent-based ink systems. Can be used for both graphics and selected indoor applications, depending on the ink, printer, substrate and ventilation requirements.
What are print-and-cut solutions used for?
Print and cut solutions are created to provide high-quality printing and contour cutting for graphics. They can be used for a wide variety of applications, such as stickers, decals, vehicle graphics, lettering, and shaped signage.
Are solvent printers suitable for vehicle graphics?
Yes, vehicle graphics are an important application of solvent printing. Solvent-based and eco-solvent systems can generate detailed graphics that can be used for flexible applications like vehicle wraps and decals. Depending on the installation and durability requirements, the appropriate printer, ink, substrate, lamination and finishing process should be chosen.
Conclusion
From outdoor advertising and vehicle wraps to interior murals and precision-cut graphics, solvent printing technology supports a broad range of professional applications. Businesses have the opportunity to set up a streamlined workflow, whether they are producing a large volume of print or creating unique graphics, with the proper printer and finishing machines. Imaging Spectrum provides Epson S-Series solvent printers and Graphtec cutting solutions for graphics professionals to build a production system to meet the specific requirements and workflow of their applications.
