What ink do you print stickers with?
| Roll press | Epson UltraChrome, 11-color eco-solvent |
|---|---|
| Flatbed | Mimaki UV, rigid substrates |
| Ink type | Pigment (not dye) |
| Extra channels | Orange, green, violet, light inks, white |
Pigment beats dye
Dye inks dissolve in their carrier and fade quickly under UV. Pigment inks are solid particles suspended in the carrier: sunlight has to physically break down a particle rather than bleach a dissolved color. Every ink we run is pigment based.
Why 11 colors matters
Four-color CMYK has to fake orange, green and violet by mixing. An 11-color set carries those as real channels. In practice that means:
- Brand oranges and reds print as one clean ink instead of a muddy blend.
- Greens stop looking grey.
- Skin tones and gradients stay smooth because light inks fill the gaps instead of dot patterns.
- Pantone matches land closer on the first attempt.
White ink
Vinyl is not always white. On clear and holographic stock we lay a white underprint so the artwork reads as designed rather than tinting whatever is behind it. You can also request selective white, where only some elements get the backing.
Eco-solvent vs UV
| Eco-solvent (rolls) | UV flatbed (rigid) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cure | Solvent flashes off, ink bonds into vinyl | Cured instantly by UV lamps |
| Best for | Vinyl stickers, decals, banners | Aluminum, acrylic, foam board, coroplast |
| Feel | Flat, integrated into the film | Slight texture, sits on the surface |
| Flexibility | Conforms to curves | Rigid |
The part people miss
Ink quality is only half of color longevity. The laminate over the ink is the other half. A great ink with no laminate still fades faster than a mid-grade ink under laminate.