FRITTA: digital ceramic inks

Fritta is presenting its innovative range of digital ceramic inks designed to ensure optimal use with the latest piezoelectric DOD printheads. These new-generation printheads are able to discharge larger quantities of ink, allowing for superior colour intensity, a wider gamut and stronger colour effects.
The inks are prepared using a high-energy milling process based on microspheres and consist of a polar liquid phase and a solid phase. The solid phase comprises inorganic pigments with dimensions in the submicron region specially designed to achieve high colour intensity. Ceramic pigments with a particle size below 1 micron exhibit high reactivity with the ceramic glaze during the firing process, thus losing colour strength. This has made it necessary to develop a new range of ceramic pigments specially for use in digital technology, as well as glazes that optimise the performance of digital inks.
The liquid phase consists of solvents and special additives that allow a certain percentage of solid to be introduced into the ink while maintaining a suitable rheology and avoiding flocculation and sedimentation effects. This ensures a high degree of stability and a long shelf life.

The ink range consists of the colours of the CMYK four-colour process: blue, brown, yellow and black, as well as other colours such as pink, beige, white and green.

Their physical and chemical properties (including density, viscosity, conductivity and surface tension) are designed to optimise the ink's rheology and allow for perfect printing with piezoelectric printheads that control the formation of ink droplets. Correct droplet formation is a significant factor influencing print quality, allowing tiles to be decorated with high-definition designs.

The ink formulation has been developed taking account of green criteria. Fritta products are not classified as dangerous according to the CLP regulation for classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures.