eco = economicnot sure why they label it 'eco'
Good article basically stating everything I have mentioned in the thread. UV inks have been used regularly for 40 years or so, none if this is new. I am surprised the equipment and ink manufacturers are not helping out their customers with handling instructions.Check this out for more details:
Ultraviolet Process Hazards
Ultraviolet Process Hazards: Ulraviolet (UV) curable inks, varnishes and lacquers are composed of liquid components which co-polymerize to a plastic solid whteamster.org
eco = economic
Roland Eco UV inks are very smelly, not sure why they label it 'eco'
does this mean all prints on a UV will smell forever? or does the smell go away over time?Well your expectation is wrong because UV ink doesn't work like eco-solvent. It won't outgass "ever".
I don't think that's true. Here's a description from Perfect Colour:People tend to think the eco in Eco Sol Inks means ecologically friendly when in reality it's always meant economical. It's a marketing tactic.
The benefits of eco-solvent printers
Eco-solvent inks have their colours suspended in a mild biodegradable solvent, which means that the ink has virtually no odour as they don’t contain as many volatile organic compounds. They’ve been around since the early 2000s and originally were designed for general signage work.
The lack of smell is a real plus point for eco-solvent inks. In some solvent inks not only do you get a strong smell during the printing process, meaning you need to consider the placement of your printer, but they can also leave an odour on the printed material itself. This can rule out printing onto material which will be displayed or used indoors.
If cost is a factor, you should be aware that eco-solvent inks are more expensive than solvent inks, due to the number of benefits that you get with eco-solvent printing. However, they are widely used by businesses and individuals who are just starting out, or who have a medium-sized printing need. Industrial printing is still typically done with solvent inks.
From Roland:People tend to think the eco in Eco Sol Inks means ecologically friendly when in reality it's always meant economical. It's a marketing tactic.
Its all marketing BS, if you do read the safety documents buried deep on printer manufacturers websites you'll be scared to breathe around any printerFrom Roland:
"Unlike solvent-based printing methods, which release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere, UV printing is eco-friendly. It doesn't emit harmful fumes, making it a cleaner and safer choice for industrial applications."
"New wide-gamut, environmentally friendly EUV5P inks are offered...."
I've found that 'absorbent' substrates like soft wood and uncoated fabrics (think of a drop of beer on a napkin...it gets absorbed into the napkin) that you'll get that odor because not all of the ink gets fully cured. Usually on hard surfaces you get no odors. I really see it in uncoated fabrics where the ink is in the fiber and never gets fully cured....whereas coated fabrics the ink stays in the coating and gets fully cured.does this mean all prints on a UV will smell forever? or does the smell go away over time?