Ink bleed—sounds unpleasant, doesn’t it? But it’s only gruesome and gory in the sense that it can make printing your projects an absolute nightmare. Large-format prints, which require precision and clarity, are especially prone to ink bleed, ruining the look and professionalism of many a project. Here are four ways to avoid ink bleed in large-format prints. Keep them in mind as you work on and print out your next big project!
What Is Ink Bleed?
Before we get into the solutions, here’s a quick primer on ink bleed and why it’s bad. Ink bleed occurs when ink spreads beyond its intended boundaries on paper or other printing substrates and media. Imagine it as coloring outside the lines in a coloring book, except it’s far messier and, as a result, more expensive to correct.
What Causes Ink Bleed?
Ink bleed is caused by several things, including type of paper, ink quality, and printing techniques.
Paper Quality
This is often a matter of low-quality paper that can’t properly absorb the ink. Texture and finish are other factors influencing ink absorption. We’ll explore this further below.
Ink Quality
Sometimes, the ink itself isn’t up to snuff. Some inks are more prone to bleeding than others due to their viscosity and drying times. For example, dye-based inks frequently bleed more than pigment-based inks. We’ll discuss this more later as well.
Printing Techniques
Many a time, the process is at fault. High-speed printing occasionally leads to excess ink being deposited on the media, causing the ink to bleed across the borders as it’s being processed. Similarly, reduced and inadequate drying times between print passes may lead to the smudging and bleeding of ink.
Understanding these causes should prepare you to learn the following preventive measures to avoid ink bleed in your large-format prints!
Choose the Right Paper
One of the most effective ways to prevent ink bleed is selecting the right paper. That may seem obvious, but it pays to test and inspect the paper you plan to use before proceeding with a project. Here are a few ways to assess your paper choices.
Coated Paper
This paper is coated to protect it and increase opacity. That layer of protection can also restrict ink absorption, reducing bleed. Coated paper is available in a variety of finishes, including glossy, matte, and satin. While coated paper may cost a little more, it’s worth it in the amount of time and money saved from not dealing with ink bleed.
Uncoated Paper
This is pretty self-explanatory after learning about coated paper. Uncoated paper is more absorbent because it doesn’t have the protective layer coated paper provides. Uncoated paper may be treated with finishes, but without specialized coatings, it’s more susceptible to ink bleed. Uncoated paper, however, offers a softer, more natural finish, which may work better with certain jobs.
Paper Weight
All paper may seem light, but that’s not (exactly) what paper weight means. Paper weight is measured by weighing a stack of 500 sheets of a particular paper. Heavier-weight paper, above 150 grams per square meter (gsm), absorbs ink better and reduces the risk of bleed. Conversely, lighter weights are more prone to curling and bleeding, especially in high-ink areas. Choose heavier-weight papers to prevent this, though there are ways to avoid bleed with lighter weights.
Paper Texture
Paper texture is a big determiner of whether a paper is prone to bleeding or not. Smooth surfaces are better suited for large and detailed prints. They allow for both accurate and precise ink placement. Textured paper, on the other hand, may require adjustments to the printing process to avoid bleed. However, textured paper is great for producing specific and unique effects, so sometimes bleeding can be made to work for you.
Pick the Right Ink
The type of ink you use plays a crucial role in preventing ink bleed. As we mentioned, there are two main types of inks: pigment-based and dye-based. Fast-drying inks are also an option. Here’s how they differ and how they impact ink bleed.
Pigment-Based Inks
Pigment-based inks “sit” on the surface of the paper and dry quickly. This minimizes—if not eliminates—the likelihood of bleed. Pigment-based inks are perfect for coated papers.
Dye-Based Inks:
Whereas pigment-based inks “sit” on the paper, dye-based inks penetrate its fibers. This is good for ensuring the ink remains intact and less likely to fade, but it may cause bleeding, especially on uncoated papers. If you want to ensure a piece has especially vibrant colors, use dye-based inks, but only with paper designed to hold them in place.
Fast-Drying Inks
Some brands of ink are formulated to dry quickly, which significantly reduces the risk of bleeding. These types of inks are great for printing multiple passes and producing high-ink-density prints. Fast-drying inks may be a little more costly than others, but you get what you pay for.
Adjust Printer Settings
Choosing the right paper and ink aren’t the only ways to deal with ink bleed. Another is to check your printer settings. Before you print that first sheet or page, check the settings on your printer. Specifically, check the setting for print resolution. Higher-resolution settings improve the accuracy of ink placement. This has a double-edged-sword effect, however, since higher resolution demands that more ink be used.
With that in mind, adjust for ink density as well. This will control the amount of ink deposited on the media. Lower ink density means less ink, which means less likelihood of bleed.
Finally, remember to set your printer’s print speed. Slowing down the print speed lets each layer of ink dry more thoroughly before the next layer is applied. The next few tips keep the drying process in mind as well.
Use Proper Drying Techniques
Ensure your prints are adequately dried before handling or further processing. Bleed can occur when you rush or mishandle jobs. Allow sufficient drying time between print passes to prevent smudging and bleeding, and employ a drying rack or space prints apart to encourage even drying.
Get a feel for the print room’s environmental aspects too. Humidity and temperature affect drying times and ink absorption. Put a dehumidifier in the room and keep the environment at room temperature or slightly lower to control the paper’s need to bleed.
Those are just four ways to avoid ink bleed in large-format prints. If you have further questions about how our printers prevent ink bleed while producing perfect prints, contact us for a consultation. We offer printers and all sorts of materials and media, including 24 lb paper, to meet your printing needs.
