Industrial Inks & Solvents: Understanding the Product Range from LEIBINGER, Squid Ink and Norwix

Introduction

In industrial coding and marking, ink selection is as critical as the printing technology itself. The right ink formulation ensures durability, adhesion, readability and compliance with industry standards. From high speed continuous inkjet (CIJ) printing to thermal inkjet (TIJ) and UV curable applications, selecting the appropriate ink type directly impacts production efficiency and product integrity.

At USInks.com, we supply high quality industrial inks and solvents from LEIBINGER, Squid Ink and Norwix, recognized leaders in reliable, high performance coding and marking solutions. This white paper provides an in depth look at the various ink types, their applications, advantages and compatibility with different substrates, with special focus on TIJ printers from Norwix UC22 and Squid Ink’s Viper line.

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1. LEIBINGER Industrial Inks & Solvents

1.1 Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) Inks

LEIBINGER produces high performance CIJ inks designed for use in LEIBINGER’s continuous inkjet printers, ensuring optimal print quality, adhesion and longevity.

Types of CIJ Inks from LEIBINGER:

• MEK Based Inks – Fast drying, high contrast inks used for non porous materials like plastics, glass, metals and films

• Ethanol Based Inks – Less volatile alternative to MEK, offering good adhesion on porous and non porous surfaces

• Acetone Based Inks – Ultra fast drying with exceptional adhesion, used in high speed production lines

• Pigmented Inks – Designed for high contrast printing on dark or colored backgrounds, commonly used in automotive, electronics and aerospace industries

• Food Grade Inks – Compliant with food safety regulations, ideal for direct or indirect food packaging applications

• UV Readable Inks – Invisible under normal light but fluoresces under UV light, used for anti counterfeiting and security marking

1.2 LEIBINGER Solvents & Additives

LEIBINGER solvents are used for printhead cleaning and ink dilution in CIJ printers, ensuring consistent performance and preventing nozzle clogs.

• Make up Solvents – Used to maintain viscosity and extend ink life in continuous operation

• Cleaning Solutions – Essential for preventing dried ink buildup, keeping printheads clear for consistent performance

Best Applications for LEIBINGER Inks & Solvents:

• High speed beverage and food packaging

• Printing on plastic, metal, glass and flexible packaging

• Traceability codes, expiration dates and batch numbers

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2. Squid Ink Industrial Inks & Solvents

2.1 CIJ, DOD, TIJ and High Resolution Inks

Squid Ink manufactures one of the most complete ink portfolios in the coding and marking industry. Their products support a wide range of print technologies including continuous inkjet (CIJ), drop on demand (DOD), thermal inkjet (TIJ) and high resolution piezo and UV systems. Each category of ink is engineered for specific substrates and production environments, ensuring manufacturers can match the right chemistry to the right application.

CIJ Solvent Based Inks

• Available in MEK, ethanol and acetone formulations

• Designed for high speed non porous applications such as plastics, metals, films and glass

• Offer fast drying properties to minimize smudging and maximize throughput

• Ideal for expiration dates, lot codes and regulatory marks on beverage bottles, personal care items and pharmaceutical products

DOD Large Character Inks

• Oil based, solvent based and pigmented inks designed for case coding and pallet marking

• Engineered to work with Squid Ink’s large character DOD printers

• Provide bold, high contrast codes up to several inches tall, readable from a distance

• Widely used in corrugated box printing, wood products, gypsum board, textiles and other secondary packaging applications

TIJ Inks for Viper Printers

• Specifically developed for the Squid Ink Viper line, which uses Funai based printhead technology

• Available in both water based and solvent based formulations

• Water based inks excel on porous substrates such as paperboard, cardboard and wood

• Solvent based inks are optimized for semi porous or coated materials such as flexible films, foils and plastics

• Broad portfolio includes fast dry and food grade options for regulatory compliance

• Well suited for date coding, lot marking, barcodes and logos on cartons, pouches and flexible packaging

UV Curable Inks

• Designed for Squid Ink’s piezo and UV LED systems

• Provide instant curing with strong adhesion on coated, laminated and non porous surfaces

• Deliver durable, high contrast graphics resistant to abrasion, solvents and outdoor conditions

• Used for product decoration, branding and specialty applications such as cosmetics, electronics and promotional goods

Water Based Inks for High Resolution Printing

• Commonly used with Squid Ink’s CoPilot series of piezo printers for case coding

• Low VOC and environmentally friendly compared to solvent systems

• Ideal for porous substrates including corrugated board, kraft paper and other absorbent packaging

• Provide sharp text and barcodes at resolutions up to 360 dpi, with high reliability and minimal maintenance

2.2 Squid Ink Solvents & Cleaners

• Make Up Fluids – Maintain ink viscosity and proper formulation in CIJ systems

• Cleaning Solutions – Designed for removing dried ink and preventing printhead blockages

• Specialty Additives – Used to enhance ink properties, improve adhesion and ensure consistent performance across different environmental conditions

Best Applications for Squid Ink Products:

• Industrial coding for packaging, wood and metal parts

• Large character case coding and pallet marking

• High resolution graphics with UV cured product marking

• High resolution carton and secondary packaging with Viper TIJ printers

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3. Norwix and Squid Ink TIJ Printers and Inks

3.1 Norwix UC22 TIJ (HP Based Technology)

Norwix specializes in thermal inkjet printers using HP based printhead technology. The UC22 system is modular and supports a broad range of aqueous and solvent inks for high resolution coding.

Key Advantages:

• Up to 600 dpi resolution for sharp text, barcodes and graphics

• Modular design with multiple head configurations

• Wide ink portfolio including food grade and pigmented aqueous inks

• Environmentally friendly with low VOCs

Applications:

• High quality carton and case coding

• Food and beverage secondary packaging

• Warehouse and logistics barcode printing

3.2 Squid Ink Viper TIJ (Funai Based Technology)

The Squid Ink Viper uses Funai based printhead technology, offering a cost effective and straightforward alternative to Norwix’s HP based systems. The Viper balances affordability with rugged performance.

Key Advantages:

• Up to 600 dpi resolution for crisp text and logos

• Supports both water based and solvent based inks for porous and non porous substrates

• Cost effective cartridge based design

• Straightforward integration with proven Squid Ink reliability

Applications:

• High resolution carton and case coding

• Flexible packaging and coated substrates

• General product identification for small and mid size production environments

3.3 Norwix UC22 vs Squid Ink Viper

Both Norwix UC22 and Squid Ink Viper deliver dependable TIJ solutions, but their printhead technology and market focus differ.

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4. Choosing the Right Ink for Your Application

Each industrial ink formulation is designed to meet specific performance requirements, from fast drying high speed coding to UV resistant durable marking for outdoor applications.

Comparison of Ink Types Across Brands:

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Conclusion: USInks.com – Your Trusted Source for Industrial Inks & Solvents

Selecting the right ink or solvent is critical for achieving optimal print performance, longevity and compliance. Whether you need high speed CIJ inks, durable solvent based formulations, UV curable inks or eco friendly aqueous solutions, USInks.com offers top tier products from LEIBINGER, Squid Ink and Norwix.

By bringing together the Norwix UC22 (HP based) and the Squid Ink Viper (Funai based), manufacturers have more TIJ options than ever before, from modular flexibility to cost effective simplicity. With USInks.com, you can choose the system and consumables that best fit your operation and know you will always have reliable supply and support.