What are printing inks?
Printing inks are specially formulated color systems used to transfer text, images, and graphics onto various materials (substrates) such as paper, board, films, plastics, or packaging. They typically consist of pigments (for color), binders (for adhesion and film formation), solvents or water (for processability), and additives (to optimize drying, gloss, rub resistance, flow behavior, and other properties).
Properties of printing inks
Printing inks are formulated to match the requirements of the specific printing process (e.g., offset, flexographic, gravure, digital, or screen printing) and the substrate being printed. Key properties include color strength and brilliance, opacity, adhesion, drying or curing speed, and resistance to light, abrasion, chemicals, or migration. Drying can occur through solvent or water evaporation, oxidation, absorption into the substrate, or radiation curing (such as UV or LED-UV systems). Viscosity and flow behavior must also be precisely tuned so that the ink can be transferred cleanly and processed reliably in the respective printing process.
Main types of printing inks
Important categories include offset inks (mostly paste-like for sheetfed and web offset), flexographic inks (low-viscosity, especially suitable for films, labels, and packaging), gravure inks (low-viscosity for magazine, decor, or packaging printing), and screen inks, which enable high ink film thicknesses for textiles, signage, and specialty applications. In digital printing, water-based inkjet inks, solvent-based or UV-curable systems, as well as toner in electrophotographic processes are commonly used. In addition, there are specialty inks such as metallic and effect inks, security inks, and food-contact-compliant systems designed for direct or indirect contact with food.
The role of binders: MOWITAL® PVB Resin
One key component of many printing inks is the binder, which holds the pigments together in the ink film and provides adhesion and durability. An important binder used in certain printing and coating systems is polyvinyl butyral (PVB). PVB is known for its excellent adhesion, transparency, toughness, and elasticity. While it is widely used as an interlayer in laminated safety glass, it is also employed in specific inks and coatings where strong adhesion to smooth substrates, good mechanical resistance, and clear, transparent films are required.
Under the brand name MOWITAL®, various PVB resin grades are offered that are used, among other things, as binders in specialty printing inks, primers, and coatings. These PVB-based binders can provide excellent adhesion to metals, plastics, or glass, high flexibility of the ink film, good pigment wetting, and clear, stable coatings. Such properties are particularly important in functional printing applications, for example in technical markings, security printing, or decorative coatings. MOWITAL® PVB Resin is therefore good example of how the choice of binder has a major impact on the performance and application range of modern ink systems.
Business relevance of printing inks
Printing inks are business-critical in many industries. In packaging, they define brand appearance, legibility, and compliance with labeling regulations (such as ingredients, barcodes, and best-before dates). In commercial printing (brochures, catalogs, mailings), they strongly influence perceived print quality and thus brand image. In the label, decor, and functional printing segments, specialized ink and binder systems – including MOWITAL® PVB Resin based solutions – enable enhanced adhesion, durability, or specific technical functions. At the same time, environmental and sustainability aspects are becoming increasingly important: low-migration, food-compliant, and low-emission ink systems are rapidly becoming standard. Overall, printing inks are a key lever for product design, brand communication, regulatory compliance, and sustainable production.