Th'ink'ing ink

Recent advances in ink formulations for industrial inkjet printing are pushing the boundaries of the process ever further, enabling new applications and improving efficiency.

Ink plays a crucial role in the performance of industrial inkjet printers. New developments in ink chemistry have focused on improving adhesion, durability, and environmental impact.

In 2026, we expect to see developments particularly in:

• UV curable inks, which have gained popularity because they dry instantly when exposed to ultraviolet light. This reduces production time and energy consumption. These inks also offer excellent resistance to scratching and fading, making them ideal for packaging and outdoor signage.

• Water based inks, which are becoming increasingly popular, with their eco friendly characteristics. They have improved significantly over the past few years, offering vibrant colours and better substrate compatibility without harmful solvents. These inks support sustainability goals by reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions

• Conductive inks, which are enabling the easy production of electronics by allowing circuits to be printed directly onto flexible materials. This opens possibilities for more cost effective smart packaging, wearable devices, and sensors.

• Bio based inks, which are another sustainable option. They are derived from renewable resources and reduce reliance on petroleum based chemicals, whilst supporting circular economy initiatives.

There will also be continued investment in food grade options to continue to ensure compliance, and in speciality inks, where they are able to create more innovative applications – things such as colour changing inks, metallics and fluorescents.

These ink innovations enhance print quality, expand material options, and reduce environmental impact, making industrial inkjet more versatile and sustainable.

Whilst inks are continually developing and suppliers are bringing better options to market, there are still some challenges that need to be overcome.

There is some Ink-substrate compatibility that still limits certain materials, for instance, especially when industrial inkjet is used in more demanding environments where durability is key.

As industrial inkjet printing takes its place in a wider range of industries and manufacturing processes, inks will continue to adapt to meet the specific needs of each sector.