HP Latex VS Solvent Printing

HP Latex printing and solvent printing are both used for a diverse range of printing projects, including banners, signs, vehicle graphics, wall murals, and signage. They offer similar printing results in terms of image quality and color performance. But do you know the differences between them?

What is latex printing?

Similar to desktop inkjet printers, latex ink printers use print heads to distribute water-based ink using latex as a carrier for the color pigment. Then the heat can dry the latex as it comes off the printer. So the output dries fast and can be rolled, laminated, or applied immediately after printing.

Latex vinyl printing has no lengthy curing requirements so the delivery time is shorter. Latex printed products have outstanding color consistency. The best part of latex printing is that it can be printed on an assortment of coated or uncoated substrates and media.

What can you do on latex printing?

We can do Latex printing on a variety of unique printing materials including:
Custom Wallpaper Substrates
Vinyl Banners and posters
Mesh vinyl for fence wraps
Opaque vinyl with adhesive
Perforated vinyl film or One-way vision vinyl
Besides, it is suited for both indoor and outdoor applications.

What is eco-solvent ink?

Eco-solvent ink, also known as light-solvent ink, comes from ether extracts taken from refined mineral oil. It contains solvents less aggressive than what is common uses in normal solvent ink. So it has a relatively low VOC content compared to the traditional solvent ink.
Eco-solvent ink is able to print on a variety of uncoated surfaces and maintain its bright colors, but it usually takes longer to dry compared to latex ink.

HP Latex VS Eco-Solvent Printing – How to Select for the Job?

There are some differences between latex and solvent-based printers. When we compare the two printing methods, we cannot say that one is definitely better than the other. We should choose the most suitable method according to the application.

Color Performance

ACME uses EPSON printers with eco-solvent ink, which has higher color performance compared to the HP Latex printer. So if you have particularly high requirements on the image color, eco-solvent ink is more suitable.

Print Media

The range of materials appropriate for HP Latex printing includes, but is not limited to, paper, plastics, textiles, vinyl, wallpaper, film, and canvas. However, the Eco-solvent printing media range is relatively small compared with Latex printing.

Durable and Scratch Resistant

Latex ink has different life spans depending on the material and application environment such as indoors or outdoors. Besides, latex printing is scratch and abrasion-resistant, as well as water and chemical resistant to different levels. Below is a form of HP Latex inks prints expected life on different media types and in different display environments based on HP internal testing.

On the other hand, eco-solvent printed products’ lifespan is shorter, usually, a few months to one year based on the application environment. Besides, its scratch-resistant ability is not as good as latex printing goods.

Environmental Friendly

HP latex has no noxious odors and fumes during production and application. So latex printing graphics can be used in some sensitive environments, such as hospitals, nurseries, and schools. Besides, considering the requirements of environmental protection, eco-friendly products will be the future trend.
Although eco-solvent inks are more environmentally friendly than solvent inks, their application restrictions may increase in the future.

If you are still not sure which printing method is more suitable for your applications, please contact us now for a FREE consultant!