Colorants in printing applications

Abstract

Abstract This review article is a summary of the current knowledge in the field of colorants in printing applications. Printing inks belong as well as paints, coatings, plastics, and cosmetic formulations to the most important application systems for colorants, both for pigments and dyes. Colorants have to meet increasing demands in printing applications due to the considerable number of printing methods and consequently of a large number of specific printing formulations. Crucial factors besides the specific properties of a certain printing ink are the processing method and the required quality of the final printed product. Amongst the most important printing methods are letterpress printing, offset printing, flexographic printing, gravure printing, screen printing, and digital printing. Different processing methods are used for coloring of the individual printing inks. The coloring processes need to be coordinated in accordance with the steps of the printing processes leading to the final product.