Fastness Properties of Ink Jet Prints on Modified Conventional Coatings

Abstract

In order to produce color ink jet prints with good fastness properties, the use of special coated papers is generally essential. The use of modified conventional coating pigments has been suggested as a means to obtain a coating that combines the good properties of silica-based ink jet coatings and conventional coatings. This study examines light and water fastness of dye-based ink jet prints on coated papers containing modified conventional pigments. The properties of the coatings were altered by using different ratios of coating pigments, and the types of binder and dispersant. Inks with known composition were used for test printings. The fastness properties of the prints were analyzed both conventionally and with FTIR and Raman spectroscopy.This study indicates that light and water fastness of ink jet prints is amended distinctly when the modified coating pigments are used instead of pigments intended for conventional printing papers. However, mechanisms that govern the build-up of light and water fastness of the studied dye-based inks depended also on the polymer system of the coating. The data suggest that on cationic PVA + p-DADMAC coatings primarily the chemical paperink interactions contribute to fastness properties, whereas on weakly cationic latex-starch coatings structural paper properties have relevance as well.