Formulation for Ink-Jet: One-Day Training Workshops

Intermediate Ink-Jet Formulation 
25th September 2014, The Heath, Runcorn, UK

Note: these workshops have already taken place but please let us know at info@iformulate.biz if you are interested in obtaining the course materials.

About The Workshops:

iFormulate Ltd (www.iformulate.biz) is organising and promoting these two workshops and has teamed up with industry specialists to design and deliver two completely new and complementary workshops. Attendees may attend one or both workshops. The information on this page is also available as a downloadable flyer.

Who Should Attend?

– Scientists and technicians seeking an introduction to ink-jet formulation and the basics of digital ink-jet printing
– Scientific and technical personnel involved in the ink-jet supply chain (e.g. raw materials producers, consumables suppliers, printer manufacturers) who would value a better understanding of ink formulation
– Commercial personnel in all parts of the ink-jet supply chain who need a more thorough grounding in ink formulation

Workshop Overview: Intermediate Ink-Jet Formulation, 25th September 2014, Runcorn, UK

Solvent Inkjet Formulation (Terence Kenneth – Terence Kenneth Consulting)

We will cover aspects of solvent inkjet formulation for continuous inkjet (CIJ) printing and Drop on Demand (DOD) systems. We will discuss viscosity, surface tension and conductivity, and take a look at some of the raw materials used in these formulations. We will also examine the differences between regular solvent inks and Eco-solvent ink formulations.

UV Inkjet Formulation (Terence Kenneth – Terence Kenneth Consulting)

This section will touch on some of the aspects of UV inkjet formulation, UV curing mechanisms and UV product implementation and applications. The presentation will include a look at raw materials and how these function in the final formulation. We’ll cover the basics of UV curing, UV curing technologies and a look at some commercial inkjet hardware and printing systems in use today.

Ink-Jet Printing of Textiles (Bill Fern – W A Fern Consultants)

We will cover the formulation of inks from all main colorant types for textiles, with a particular emphasis on disperse dyes and reactive dyes.

Digital Printing of Textiles – Substrate Interactions and Post-Treatment (Dr John Provost – Provost Ink Jet Consulting)

This section will concentrate on application properties, interactions between inks and textile substrates as well as post-treatment options for digital textile printing.

Optimising Ink Jet Formulations for Printhead and Substrate (Mark Holbrook – Associate Partner, iFormulate)

The presentation will consist of various examples from business and industrial printing and will include: (1) effect of polymers on jetting and printing, (2) ink-printhead compatibility considerations, (3) media construction and its effect on print performance, (4) paper chemistry, ink fixing agents & gloss.

Ink-Jet Formulation Fundamentals  
25th June 2014, The Heath, Runcorn, UK

Note: this workshop has already taken place but please let us know at info@iformulate.biz if you are interested in obtaining the course materials.

– Learn about the principles of ink-jet printing
– Better understand the science that underpins stable ink formulation
– Receive an introduction to the main print-head technologies and printer architectures
– Learn about the different types of ink-jet colorants, their key properties and performance in formulations
– Understand the function and performance of the main additives used in aqueous ink-jet formulations
– Know how inks are tested and prints are evaluated
– Gain an overview of newer applications for ink-jet technology

1. Science Basics for Formulation
– Particles, colloids and dispersions and how to stabilise them
– Adhesion science basics

2. Ink-jet Technology Basics
– Print head technologies and architectures
– Piezo and thermal printheads
– Continuous & drop-on-demand printing
– Print head manufacturers

3. Colours for Ink-jet
– Dyes and pigments – advantages and disadvantages
– Key colorant properties – solubility, pH sensitivity, hue, light fastness
– Pigment formulation properties: milling or self-dispersing, particle size, stability

4. Formulation Properties and Ingredients
– Materials used in inks and their functions: wetting, surface tension, humectancy etc.
– Polymers, surfactants, buffers
– Performance in the ink, during printing and on the substrate

5. Ink Testing and Print Evaluation
– Ink and print performance criteria – Ink stability, open time, clogging
– Reflected optical density, print quality and fastness properties.

6. Further Uses and Formulation Considerations
– Printed electronics
– Textile printing
– 3D printing