Wallpapers are one of the most trending and aesthetic aspects of interior design. The last few decades have seen a massive increase in sales and appeal for them. But wait, ever wondered how they're made? What is it about wallpapers that make them dazzle your bedroom wall? While there are a couple of factors that aid in the manufacturing of wallpapers, printing wallpaper patterns is one of the most important ones.
Ever since ancient times, printing has taken many forms. The same goes for wallpapers too. Wallpapers were initially printed through techniques such as hand painting, wood blocking, and stencilling to enhance one's home decor. Thanks to modern technology, however, there are many types of inks and methods businesses can use today.
Some of these include; Eco-Solvent, UV, and Latex printing. Today we'll be taking a detailed look at all three and conclude which one of them is the most optimal choice.
What is Eco-Solvent printing?
Eco-Solvent print is an inkjet printing technology that is specifically designed to be environmentally friendly. This printing technology uses eco-solvent inks, which are formulated from pigments suspended in a light biodegradable solvent. These inks are designed to produce minimal ecological waste and to have minimal negative impacts on the environment.
Although eco-solvent printing does have some negative impacts on the environment, such as producing mediocre image resolution, it is still much more environmentally friendly than traditional printing technologies. Eco-solvent printing is quite popular commercially and is often used for banners and other marketing materials. However, due to the toxic nature of the chemical inks used in eco-solvent printing, it is not recommended for use in homes or offices.
Eco-solvent printing offers some advantages over traditional printing technologies, such as the ability to generate ultra-fine dots of about 5-8 picoliters. Additionally, eco-solvent prints are quite robust and are resistant to water damage for a decent period.
What is UV Printing?
UV printing is a unique and distinct method of digital printing that uses special inks that dry immediately upon application to the printing medium. This prevents the ink from sinking into the material, as well as from releasing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into the air. Traditional printing methods use heat to dry the ink, which can release noxious odours, while UV printing uses LED lights to cure the ink. The ink used in UV printing is composed of Monomers, Pigments, and Photo-initiators, which polymerize and dry instantly when exposed to UV light. Additionally, UV printing is environmentally friendly, as it produces no VOCs and emits no odours. However, the ink may tend to break down over time.
What is Latex Printing?
Latex printing is a type of print that uses water-based ink and print heads to dispense ink onto various surfaces. The latex itself acts as a carrier for the colour pigments, which makes it different from other inkjet printing methods. The latex is also dried by heaters as soon as it is ejected, which helps to roll the output the very instant it is printed. Another interesting feature of latex printing is that latex paints can be fused to the surface it is applied on, due to the high temperature of the latex when ejected.
Latex printing has many uses, both indoors and outdoors. Some examples include banners, posters, wallpapers, wall coverings, signage, and vehicle graphics. The ability to print on both coated and uncoated surfaces extends the use of latex printing even further. These vast varieties in utility have made latex printing the most famous type of printing in the commercial printing industry, especially for wallpapers.
Latex printing is simply the best combination of an instant drying attribute with a water-based formula. These are no toxic prints which also look very beautiful.
Why is latex printing better?
Now let's go over why latex printing is superior to both; UV and solvent printing.
Print Quality
When it comes to high-quality printing, there are several options available on the market today. Latex, solvent, and UV all provide excellent results that are eye-catching and professional. However, the latest generation of latex ink printers offers some advantages over its predecessors. The pigment load in these newer printers is much higher, which allows for a wider range of colours to be used. Additionally, the latest print heads have 50% more nozzles, which means that saturated colours can be produced much faster.
Another advantage of latex printing is that it can maintain the original material of any substrate. For example, if you are using a chromatic material such as some bedroom wallpaper designs, the final printed product will also be chromatic. On the other hand, if you are using a semi-gloss material, the final result will remain semi-gloss. This versatility makes latex printing a great option for a variety of applications.
Non- Hazardous
There are a few things to consider when discussing UV and eco-solvent prints. Firstly, both of these printing methods use inks that contain hazardous elements. UV inks need to be handled with extreme care, as they can be dangerous to your health. Similarly, eco-solvent inks contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can lead to ozone pollution. Both of these printing methods can also cause health problems such as bronchitis.
When comparing all three printing methods, latex ink is the safest option. Latex prints use various compounds, none of which are harmful to health or the environment. This makes latex printing the best option for those who are looking for a safe and eco-friendly printing method.
Odourless Prints
Many people are put off by the strong smell of UV prints, which can be particularly unpleasant indoors. Latex prints, on the other hand, have no smell at all, making them a much better option for both indoor and outdoor use. UV prints can also fade over time, whereas Latex prints are more durable and long-lasting.
Endurance
When it comes to endurance, eco-solvent and UV prints are vulnerable to sharp actions such as scratching. This adds to the process (and cost) of lamination. With latex prints, however, there is no need for lamination since latex printed graphics can survive up to 3 years without any sort of lamination. This makes latex printing a more durable and cost-effective option for those who need long-lasting prints.
Conclusion
To conclude, there are various kinds of inkjet printer wallpapers available in the market, each with its own set of pros and cons. However, if you are looking for the best quality and most efficient printing option, Latex Prints are the way to go. They provide superior quality prints with high definition design patterns and are also very efficient in printing saturated colour pigments. Plus, they deliver odourless prints, which is a bonus.
If you're looking to print your wallpaper designs, then My Indian Things is your last stop! With high-quality wallpaper patterns and keeping up with the latest wallpaper trends, My Indian Things guarantees an experience like no other! We use the latest latex technology for wallpaper printing which is long-lasting, easy to maintain, washable, and sturdy.
Feel free to contact us anytime!
