Adhesion
Does the mark remain attached after the required cure time and normal handling?
Ink and surface matching
TIJ printing on
real-world substrates.
Aqueous and fast-dry ink options selected through representative testing on cartons, labels, plastics, films, metals and glass.
Start with the surface
The cartridge must suit
more than the printer.
TIJ cartridges combine ink chemistry with a precision print mechanism. The cartridge selected therefore affects adhesion, drying, contrast, resistance, maintenance and achievable production speed.
A material name alone is rarely enough. Coatings, treatments, slip additives, contamination, temperature and suppliers can change surface behaviour, so we test finished production samples whenever possible.
PorousPaper, board and timber
CoatedVarnished and semi-porous
Non-porousPlastic, film, metal and glass
01Aqueous and absorbent surfaces
Porous substrates
Let the surface
take the ink.
On porous materials, aqueous ink penetrates surface fibres. This often gives rapid handling time and a durable mark without relying on solvent evaporation alone.
Absorption can also spread dots on rough or highly absorbent stock, so the final code must be reviewed for small text and barcode quality.
- Uncoated folding cartons
- Corrugated outer cases and kraft board
- Paper labels and sleeves
- Timber, plasterboard and other absorbent products
Variable board
Recycled content and surface colour can vary between batches. Include representative extremes in the print trial.
02Fast-dry solvent applications
Non-porous substrates
Create adhesion
without absorption.
Smooth surfaces cannot absorb ink in the same way. Fast-dry solvent formulations are designed to wet and adhere to suitable non-porous materials while becoming handleable within the available production window.
Dry time is affected by ink deposit, temperature, airflow, surface energy and how quickly the print touches guides, belts or adjacent products.
- HDPE, LDPE, PP, PET and other plastics
- Coated paper and synthetic label stock
- Flexible films, foils and laminates
- Metal, painted surfaces and glass
Surface treatment
Corona, flame or plasma treatment can affect print behaviour. Tell us when and how the material is treated and how its surface changes over storage.
Trial criteria
A good print trial
goes beyond appearance.
We define practical pass criteria around production handling and the purpose of the code.
Drying time
Is the print handleable before it contacts guides, belts, labels or another pack?
Contrast
Is there enough difference between ink and background for people and scanners?
Resistance
Does the code withstand expected abrasion, water, cleaning or chemical exposure?
Resolution
Do small text, barcode bars and 2D modules remain correctly formed?
Consistency
Does performance remain acceptable across suppliers, colours and production batches?
Sample submission
Send what production
will actually use.
Representative materials and process detail make the recommendation more reliable.
Finished sampleProduct, carton, label or film in the condition presented to the printer
Material detailPolymer, coating, varnish, treatment and supplier where known
Print timingTime until belts, guides, stacking, capping, labelling or packing contact
EnvironmentTemperature, humidity, condensation, dust and washdown conditions
Required resistanceHandling, abrasion, water, oil, chemicals, refrigeration or outdoor exposure
Acceptance methodVisual standard, tape/rub test, scanner result or agreed test protocol
Frequently asked
Useful answers
before you specify.
For application-specific advice, call 01865 362785.
What is the difference between porous and non-porous inkjet substrates?+
Porous surfaces absorb ink into fibres or pores. Non-porous surfaces such as many plastics and metals do not, so they usually need a fast-dry ink formulated to wet and adhere to the surface.
Can TIJ print on polyethylene and polypropylene?+
Compatible solvent inks can print on suitable PE and PP surfaces, but low surface energy and additives can make adhesion difficult. Testing the finished material is essential.
How quickly does solvent TIJ ink dry?+
Dry time varies by ink, deposit, substrate, treatment, temperature, airflow and contact after printing. It must be tested against the actual line handling window.
Can one cartridge cover all of our materials?+
Sometimes one formulation covers several similar surfaces, but absorbent board and smooth plastic usually have different needs. A material matrix helps establish where different cartridges or set-ups are required.
Test first-print recovery separately from ink drying
Drying time and decap performance answer different questions. Drying describes when ink on the product becomes suitable for the next handling step. Decap performance concerns the cartridge's ability to resume acceptable printing after an idle period with the nozzles exposed. An ink can perform well on one measure without meeting the other requirement of your line.
Include both conditions in a substrate trial. Check the printed code at the actual time it first contacts a guide, belt or neighbouring pack, then assess the first output after representative production pauses. Use the intended message, because a bold 2D symbol and a small text code can place different demands on ink coverage and readability. Follow the selected cartridge manufacturer's operating and maintenance instructions during evaluation.
Record any permitted preparation before restart so a trial does not hide routine operator work. Compare the result across the finished materials that production will use, including coatings and supplier variants. This gives a clearer ink-selection decision for short batches or frequent stops. Send your normal idle periods and first-contact timing with the substrate samples when requesting a thermal inkjet recommendation.
Is long decap time the same as fast ink drying?
No. Decap concerns print recovery after idle at the nozzle; drying concerns the deposited ink on the substrate.
Why test the first code after a production pause?
It reveals whether restart quality meets the requirement and whether any routine cartridge preparation must be included in the operating plan.
Plan TIJ restart and maintenance Match cartridges to the production duty