Comparative Solid Ink Density and Print Contrast Analysis of Dry Toner

Based Laser and Inkjet Based Digital Printing Mechanisms

1. Sarita, Flint Group, Noida
2. Deepak Kumar, SITM, Rewari
3. Sumit Kumar, SITM, Rewari
4. Arohit Goyat, GJUS&T, Hisar

Abstract

Digital printing process gives short run and personalized advantages compared to other
printing processes. Dry toner-based laser and inkjet based digital printing systems are used
widely in the market. Objective of this paper is to compare Solid Ink Density and Print
Contrast of dry toner based digital printing processes with the inkjet digital printing systems.
A master test chart was prepared having solid colour patches along with tint patches of Cyan,
Magenta, Yellow and Black Colours ranging from zero percent to hundred percent. The
master test chart was printed with the help of small size dry toner-based laser digital printer
and inkjet printer available in the local market. The deo and art glossy papers with 100 gsm
was used in the study. The results indicated that SID was found more in dry toner based
digital printing system and print contrast was found more in inkjet printers.

Keywords

Dry toner, Laser Printer, Inkjet printer, Solid Ink Density, Print Contrast, Master test chart.

Introduction

Laser printers are machines that melt toner powder onto paper to create a print. Laser printers
are more expensive than inkjet printers upfront and uses pricier toner cartridges but is still a
more economical option in the long run with its overall lower cost per page, faster print
speeds.

Fig. 1. Systematic diagram of dry toner-based laser printing process

Inkjet printers are machines that spray microscopic droplets of ink onto paper. Inkjet printers
are generally cheaper, smaller, and can be used to print both text documents and high-quality
coloured images, especially photos. But be wary of cheap inkjet printers as those will end up
costing you a fortune later on.

Fig. 1. Systematic diagram of inkjet printing process

If you need gallery quality photos, get a photo inkjet printer. But if you need to print medium
quality coloured images that don’t require color depth and tonal range, we recommend color
laser printers over inkjet printers for two reasons i.e. laser toner does not dry up if left unused
and you print more pages from laser toner cartridges than inkjet cartridges.

Research Objective

Objective of this paper is to compare Solid Ink Density and Print Contrast happening in dry
toner based digital printing and inkjet printing systems.

Research Methodology

100 GSM uncoated deo paper and art gloss coated paper were used in the study. The Conica
Minolta and Epson.machines are used for dry toner digital printing and inkjet printing work.
The printing work was carried out at local market Hisar, Haryana. X-rite exact Spectro-
densitometer available in the department of Printing Technology, GJUS&T, Hisar was used
to test Solid Ink Density (SID) and Print Contrast. Statistical tools and techniques like charts,
graphs etc. were used to analyse the data.

Data Collection and Analysis

Table.1.1. Average Solid Ink Densities of Inkjet and Dry Toner Digital Printing

Sample Solid Ink Solid Ink Density Solid Ink Density Solid Ink
Type Density of Cyan of Magenta of Yellow Density of Black

Inkjet Dry Inkjet Dry Inkjet Dry Inkjet Dry

Toner Toner Toner Toner

Deo 0.98 1.04 0.99 1.59 0.81 1.13 1.28 1.50

Glossy 0.75 1.39 1.40 1.90 0.89 1.24 1.26 1.90

2
1.8
1.6
Solid Ink Density

1.4
1.2
Deo(I)
1 Glossy(I)
0.8 Deo(D)
0.6 Glossy(D)

0.4
0.2
0
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

Fig.1.1. Comparison of average Solid Ink Density of Inkjet and Dry Toner Digital
Printing

Table.1.2. Average Print Contrast (%) of Inkjet and Dry Toner Digital Printing

Sample Print Contrast Print Contrast Print Contrast Print Contrast

Type of Cyan (%) of Magenta of Yellow (%) of Black (%)
(%)

Inkjet Dry Inkjet Dry Inkjet Dry Inkjet Dry

Toner Toner Toner Toner

Deo 4.08 14.42 41.41 59.11 39.50 43.36 48.43 47.33

Glossy 5.33 33.81 50.71 54.21 57.30 19.35 45.23 44.21

 70

60

50
Print Contrast %

40 Deo(I)
Glossy(I)
30
Deo(D)
20 Glossy(D)

10

0
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

Fig.1.2. Comparison of average Print Contrast (%) of Inkjet and Dry Toner Digital
Printing

Result and Discussions:

1. Comparative Solid Ink Density and Print Contrast Analysis

In the present research work, the density of Black was found best in both of the printing
processes on both of the papers due to inherent darkness in the black ink. But on the deo
paper, the density of all CMYK colours was found less as compared with art glossy paper,
because it is un-coated paper and on the un-coated paper the ink is get absorbed and ink
holdout is found very less (Table 1.1, Figure 1.1). But if the comparison of CMYK densities
is made on both printing processes, then dry toner based digital printing gives more Solid ink
density, because ink is in the powdered form in it and it mostly remains on the top surface of
the paper even after getting melted in the fusing stage.

Print contrast is the method of evaluating and optimizing the density of the ink deposited on
the substrate during printing. The ink strength or print contrast is determined to take into
account the solid ink density, the density of the ink in shadow areas of the image, and the dot
gain. Print contrast helps in finding out optimum ink deposition on the surface of paper. Print
contrast is calculated by measuring the ink density of a solid area and the ink density in a
75% tint. In the present research work, the print contrast of glossy paper was found more in
both the printing processes as shown in Table 1.2 and Figure 1.2. The printing contrast was
found best in Inkjet printing process on yellow colour.

References

1. https://www.ldproducts.com/blog/pros-cons-of-inkjet-and-laser-printers retrieved on
20.11.2020
2. http://printwiki.org/Print_Contrast retrieved on 30.11.2020.