Particle size and dispersion are crucial considerations in the selection of any grinding mill for ink and toner applications. The ability to evenly disperse particles of the proper size becomes especially important, considering the range of ingredients needed for any type of ink:

• Varnish, which serves as the base for the ink
• Additives, which produce specific effects
• Pigments, which provide the color
• Resins, which bind all the ingredients together

Pigments, in particular, must be dispersed in a carefully controlled manner – the finer the dispersion, the greater the color intensity and the higher the gloss.

While ink is liquid-based, toner is a very fine powder applied to paper using a laser and an electrostatic charge. Toner has one basic use: home and office printers. Ink, on the other hand, is used in a myriad of applications, such as:

• Decorate motifs on ceramic, glass, wood, metal and other surfaces
• Printing of advertisements, newspapers and other broadly distributed material
• Inkjet printing in offices and homes
• Textile treatments
• Labeling of packaging

Just as there are many applications for inks and toners; there are also numerous methods of printing, including:

• Cold-set
• Flexo
• Heat-set
• Rotogravure
• Screen Printing
• Sheet-fed

Regardless of the printing method, ink and toner manufacturers need dispersion equipment they can rely on. Union Process offers a wide range of durable, reliable dispersion equipment to meet specific ink and toner challenges.