MEK-Free CIJ Ink: The Smarter Choice For Industrial Printing
Why MEK-Free CIJ Ink Matters In today's industrial printing environments, there is an increasing demand for solutions that are not only...
2 min read
Samuel Mcgarrigle
Jun 20, 2023 2:41:46 PM
In the world of industrial printing, Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) technology stands as a pillar of speed, flexibility, and precision. At the heart of this powerful process lies a critical component: CIJ ink. Far from ordinary, CIJ ink is a specially engineered fluid that ensures smooth, high-resolution printing across diverse substrates and environments.
In this article, we explore the composition, operation, and advantages of CIJ ink—and how Cyklop Needham supports industries with high-quality, cost-effective CIJ ink solutions.
CIJ ink, or Continuous Inkjet ink, is a low-viscosity, fast-drying formulation developed specifically for use in CIJ printers. These printers continuously release microscopic ink droplets, guided by electrostatic charges, to print text, codes, and graphics with extreme precision—often at high speed and in difficult production conditions.
The performance of the printer is heavily dependent on the ink, making CIJ ink a mission-critical part of the system.
CIJ inks are designed with a blend of highly specialised components:
Solvents – Ensure proper flow through the printhead and rapid drying
Colorants (Dyes or Pigments) – Deliver strong, lasting colours or contrasts
Additives and Resins – Provide adhesion, resistance to moisture, and environmental durability
Conductive Agents – Support accurate droplet charging during printing
The result is an ink that flows effortlessly, forms consistent droplets, and adheres well to a wide range of surfaces—from paper and cardboard to plastic, glass, and metal.
Here’s a simplified breakdown of how CIJ technology and ink function together:
Ink Circulation: A pump feeds CIJ ink from a reservoir to the printhead.
Droplet Formation: A piezoelectric crystal vibrates, breaking the ink stream into consistent droplets.
Electrostatic Charging: Selected droplets are charged by passing through an electrode.
Deflection and Printing: Charged droplets are steered by electrostatic plates to create text or images; uncharged droplets are recycled.
CIJ ink must maintain conductivity, stability, and viscosity throughout this entire process—which is why its formulation is so precise.
CIJ ink adheres to an impressive variety of surfaces, including glass, plastic, foil, metal, rubber, and paper, making it ideal for packaging, electronics, automotive, and food industries.
CIJ printers—and the inks they use—are engineered for high-volume environments, where marking must occur in real time without halting the line. The fast-drying properties of CIJ ink prevent smudging even on non-porous materials.
CIJ ink provides long-lasting marks that withstand heat, humidity, abrasion, and chemical exposure. This is critical for traceability in industries such as pharmaceuticals and aerospace.
Available in a wide palette including specialty inks (white, yellow, UV-readable, food-grade), CIJ inks enhance brand visibility and compliance in diverse applications.
With over 60 years of ink manufacturing experience, Cyklop Needham is one of the UK’s most trusted suppliers of OEM-compatible CIJ inks. Our expertise lies in creating cost-effective alternatives that match or exceed the performance of original manufacturer inks.
We support industries worldwide with:
✔️ British-made CIJ ink formulations
✔️ Custom ink development for unique substrates or regulatory requirements
✔️ Reliable, long-term supply partnerships
✔️ Inks compatible with most major CIJ printer brands
Whether you're in packaging, food production, logistics, or electronics, we have the ink solution to suit your needs.
📧 Email: enquiries@needham-ink.com
📞 Call: +44 (0)1948 662629
🌐 Visit: www.needham-ink.com
Why MEK-Free CIJ Ink Matters In today's industrial printing environments, there is an increasing demand for solutions that are not only...
While most of us are familiar with desktop inkjet printers, it's Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) technology that powers much of the industrial world — from...
What Is a Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) Printer? Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) printing is a non-contact coding method ideal for marking variable data such as expiry...