Ink; Comparison Between Pigment Ink And Dye Ink; Drop Of Pigment Ink And Dye Ink - Epson Stylus PHOTO 2000P Service Manual

EPSON Stylus PHOTO 2000P

2.1.2 Ink

2.1.2.1 Comparison between Pigment Ink and Dye Ink

The main component of Stylus PHOTO 2000P is almost the same as of
Stylus Photo 1270. The most significant difference is its pigment ink use.
The difference between the pigment ink and dye ink is shown in the table
below.
Table 2-3. Physical Differences
Dye Ink
Single element that has a specific
chemical structure.
Element minimum unit: 1 ~ 2 nm
Ink is only composed of liquid phase
(solvent and element).
Solvable to solvent (water, glycol, etc.)
Table 2-4. Features of Pigment Ink
Advantage
It can make high density color.
Better durability against climate.
Not easy to blur.
No limit on its solubility.
Chemically stable: Not easy to change
into poison: High safety.
OPERATING PRINCIPLES
Pigment Ink
Aggregate material of elements.
Element minimum unit: 50 ~ 200nm
Ink is composed of 2 phases: liquid
phase (solvent) and solid phase
(element).
Not solvable. Only disperse.
Disadvantage
Have to keep equally dispersed
condition. Long time storage may
cause pigment sediment.
Table 2-5. Features of Dye Ink -- Reference
Advantage
Have been used for ink jet for long
time.
Easy to express the gradation.
Solvable to solvent (water, glycol, etc.)
Homogeneity is kept.
High brightness.

2.1.2.2 Drop of Pigment Ink and Dye Ink

The figure below shows how pigment ink and dye ink goes onto paper.
Figure 2-2. Pigment Ink and Dye Ink
Dye ink infiltrates paper and the element disperses, then the thickness of
color decreases.
For pigment ink, the solvent infiltrates paper but the pigment goes onto
paper and membranes. Thereby, it keeps the printing sharp and with high
density.
Overview
Revision A
Disadvantage
Restriction on its solubility.
Less durability against climate.
Easy to blur.
When impurities are interfuse,
chemical change occurs and the
element may be deteriorated.
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