Introduction
While all inkjet printers are designed to place tiny drops of ink onto a surface, not all inks are the same. The ink formulation must match the printing technology — and the difference between CIJ, DOD, TIJ, and High-Resolution (HR) printers lies in much more than just printer design. Each uses ink with specific chemical and physical properties suited to its drop generation method and target substrate.
This article breaks down the key differences in ink formulations across these four industrial printing technologies and provides guidance for choosing the right ink for your system.
1. Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) Ink Formulation
Key Features:
- Solvent-based (commonly MEK or ethanol)
- Low viscosity: 2.0 – 3.5 cP
- Requires conductivity: 800–1800 µS/cm (for droplet deflection)
- Fast-drying: 1–2 seconds
Ink Types:
- Dye-based black inks (general coding)
- Pigmented inks (white, yellow for cables and dark substrates)
- UV-readable inks for security applications
Typical Use Cases:
Bottles, pouches, cables, food packaging — high-speed production lines with non-porous surfaces.
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2. Drop-on-Demand (DOD) Ink Formulation
Key Features:
- Oil- or water-based (sometimes pigmented solvent-based)
- Higher viscosity: 8 – 20 cP
- No need for conductivity
- Large drop size: for visible, bold characters
Ink Types:
- Pigmented inks for carton or crate labeling
- Oil-based inks for porous substrates
Typical Use Cases:
Shipping cartons, wood, pipes, cement bags — applications requiring large character marks and high throw distance.
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3. Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) Ink Formulation
Key Features:
- Water- or ethanol-based, mostly dye-based
- Low to moderate viscosity: 1.5 – 4.0 cP
- No conductivity required
- Compatible with small-volume cartridge systems
Ink Types:
- Fast-dry ethanol-based for coated boxes and flexible packaging
- Water-based for porous surfaces like paper, cartons
Typical Use Cases:
Pharmaceutical cartons, cosmetics boxes, secondary packaging — clean environments requiring high-resolution printing.
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4. High-Resolution (Piezo-Based) Ink Formulation
Key Features:
- Oil-, UV-, or solvent-based
- Medium to high viscosity: 8 – 30 cP
- Delivers ultra-sharp barcodes and graphics
Ink Types:
- UV-curable inks for fast curing and scratch resistance
- Oil-based for porous applications like corrugated boxes
Typical Use Cases:
Barcodes, logos, QR codes on corrugated packaging, plastic trays, wood pallets — applications needing graphic precision.
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Comparison Table: CIJ vs DOD vs TIJ vs High-Res Inks
| Feature | CIJ | DOD | TIJ | High-Res |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viscosity (cP) | 2–4 | 8–20 | 1.5–4 | 8–30 |
| Conductivity Required | Yes | No | No | No |
| Common Solvents | MEK, ethanol | Oil, water | Water, ethanol | UV, oil |
| Drying Speed | Fast (1–2 sec) | Moderate | Fast (ethanol) or slow (water) | Fast (UV) or moderate |
| Best For | High-speed coding | Large marks on cartons | Clean high-res text | Barcodes/logos on packaging |
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Conclusion
Each inkjet technology requires a carefully formulated ink to perform reliably. CIJ demands conductive, fast-drying inks; TIJ needs clean, cartridge-friendly fluids; DOD and High-Resolution systems depend on higher viscosity and pigment stability. At ChinaCIJInk.com, we supply tailored ink formulations optimized for every major technology — with technical documentation, safety compliance, and substrate testing support.
