In recent years, white ink has become a game-changer in the world of creative printing, allowing designers to bring vibrant. From custom apparel to unique stickers and personalized promotional items, the ability to print white ink opens up a whole new world of possibilities. But here's the big question: how to print white ink? It's not as simple as just swapping out a regular ink cartridge. Unlike the standard cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks, white ink requires special printers and techniques to work effectively.
In this blog, we'll demystify the process of white ink printing, explain why it's not available in all printers, and provide actionable steps to print in white with specialized printers and regular printers.
The index of this article is as follows:
- Do Printers Print White Ink?
- Why Regular CMYK Printers Don't Support White Ink Printing:
- Popular White Ink Printer Options
- How to Print White Ink: Step by Step Guide
- How to Print White Ink with Regular KCMY Printers
Do Printers Print White Ink?
Standard inkjet and laser printers typically do not support white ink printing. These printers use the CMYK color model (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) and cannot produce white, as it is the absence of color. To print white ink, specialized printers are required, like UV Printers, White Toner Printers and so on.
Why Regular CMYK Printers Don't Support White Ink Printing:
Most regular printers are built on the assumption that the paper or substrate they print on is already white, as they rely on mixing CMYK colors to create other hues. In this model, white is simply the color of the paper, and there's no need to add white ink to the mix. The lack of white ink in standard printers is due to the following reasons:
1. Color Model Limitations
| Color Mixing | Principle |
| Cyan + Magenta = Blue |
Cyan absorbs red light. Magenta absorbs green light. The remaining light reflected is blue. |
| Magenta + Yellow = Red |
Magenta absorbs green light. Yellow absorbs blue light. The remaining light reflected is red. |
| Cyan + Yellow = Green |
Cyan absorbs red light. Yellow absorbs blue light. The remaining light reflected is green. |
| Cyan + Magenta + Yellow = Dark Brown/Black |
Cyan absorbs red, magenta absorbs green, and yellow absorbs blue. When all three are combined, most light is absorbed, resulting in a dark brown or black. |
2. Ink and Toner Types
The ink or toner used in standard printers is formulated to mix within the four primary colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) to create a wide range of colors. White ink, however, requires a specific formulation that is different from the typical ink used in these printers.White ink is thicker, more opaque, and requires specialized handling, which basic printers are not designed for. Additionally, printing white ink involves creating a solid base on dark or transparent materials, which is not achievable with CMYK-only printing methods.
3. Hardware Compatibility
White ink printing requires specialized hardware to handle this unique ink. Printers that print white ink, such as UV printers or Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printers, have specific print heads and systems designed to manage the application of white ink. Regular printers lack these necessary components.
Popular White Ink Printer Options
1. UV Printers (Best for Versatility)
UV printers are the most popular choice for white ink printing because they can print on a wide range of materials, including rigid surfaces, fabrics, and transparent substrates.
Popular Models:
-
Roland VersaUV LEF2-200/LEC2-300
- Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses.
- Prints white ink as a base layer or spot color.
- Can print on materials like acrylic, glass, wood, and leather.
-
Canon Colorado 1650
- A large-format UV printer with white ink options.
- Great for signage, posters, and packaging.
-
Epson SureColor V7000
- A hybrid UV printer that supports white ink.
- Suitable for both rigid and flexible materials.
2. Latex Printers (Best for Large-Format Printing)
Latex printers are eco-friendly and often used for large-format printing, such as banners, posters, and vehicle wraps. Some models support white ink.
Popular Models:
-
HP Latex 800W
- Specifically designed for white ink printing.
- Ideal for backlit graphics, stickers, and window graphics.
- Can print on both flexible and rigid materials.
-
HP Latex 700W
- A smaller version of the 800W, still with white ink capabilities.
- Great for medium-sized businesses.
3. Screen Printers (Best for Textiles)
Screen printing is the traditional method for printing white ink on textiles like T-shirts, hoodies, and tote bags.
Popular Models:
-
M&R Challenger III
- A high-performance screen printing press.
- Ideal for large-scale textile printing.
-
Anatol Horizon Manual Press
- A manual screen printing press for small businesses.
- Perfect for custom apparel printing.
4. Modified Inkjet Printers (DIY Option)
Some standard inkjet printers can be modified to use white ink, though this is less common and requires technical expertise.
Popular Models:
-
Epson SureColor P800 (Modified)
- A high-quality photo printer that can be modified for white ink.
- Often used for small-scale projects like art prints and stickers.
-
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 (Modified)
- Another photo printer that can be adapted for white ink.
- Suitable for custom projects and prototypes.
5. DTG (Direct-to-Garment) Printers (Best for Apparel)
DTG printers are designed for printing directly onto textiles, often using white ink as an underbase for dark fabrics.
Popular Models:
-
Epson F2100
- A compact DTG printer with white ink capabilities.
- Ideal for small businesses and custom apparel printing.
-
Brother GTX
- A high-performance DTG printer with excellent white ink output.
- Perfect for printing on dark fabrics.
6. Hybrid Printers (Best for Multi-Purpose Printing)
Hybrid printers combine the capabilities of UV and latex printers, making them versatile for a wide range of applications.
Popular Models:
-
Mimaki JFX200-2513 EX
- A hybrid UV printer with white ink options.
- Suitable for both rigid and flexible materials.
How to Print White Ink: Step by Step Guide
1. Choose the Right Printer
Not all printers can handle white ink. You'll need a printer specifically designed for white ink or one that can be modified to use it. Here are some popular white ink printers options:
- Screen Printers: Ideal for textiles like T-shirts, tote bags, and other fabrics.
- UV Printers: Versatile and can print on a variety of surfaces, including glass, plastic, and metal.
- Latex Printers: Some models support white ink for large-format printing.
- Modified Inkjet Printers: DIY options with white ink cartridges, though these are less common and may require custom setups.
2. Select the Right Ink
White ink is thicker and more opaque than standard inks, so it requires special handling. Make sure you choose the right type of white ink for your printer and substrate:
- Water-Based Inks: Often used for textiles.
- Plastisol Inks: Commonly used in screen printing for fabrics.
- UV-Curable Inks: Used in UV printers for hard surfaces.
- Latex Inks: Used in large-format printing.
3. Prepare Your Design
When designing for white ink printing, keep the following in mind:
- Software: Use design software like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or CorelDRAW.
- White Layer: Create a separate layer for the white ink in your design file.
- Underbase: For dark or colored substrates, you may need to print a white underbase first to make the colors pop.
Here is the vedio instruction helping you prepare your design for white ink printing in details.
4. Set Up Your Printer
Proper setup is crucial for successful white ink printing:
- Load the White Ink: Ensure the white ink is properly loaded into the printer. Be cautious, as white ink can clog print heads if not handled correctly.
- Adjust Settings: Modify the printer settings to accommodate the thicker white ink. This may include adjusting the nozzle height, pressure, and curing/drying settings.
5. Print the White Ink
The printing white ink process will vary depending on the type of printer and substrate:
- Screen Printing: Apply the white ink as an underbase, let it dry, and then print the colored inks on top.
- UV Printing: Print the white ink layer first, cure it with UV light, and then print the colored inks.
- Inkjet Printing: If using a modified inkjet printer, ensure the white ink is applied evenly and allowed to dry properly.
6. Cure or Dry the Ink
White ink often requires special curing or drying processes:
- Heat Press: For textiles, use a heat press to cure the ink.
- UV Curing: For UV printers, use UV light to cure the ink.
- Air Drying: For some inks, simply allow them to air dry.
7. Post-Processing
After printing, you may need to perform some post-processing steps:
- Washing: For textiles, wash the fabric to remove any residual chemicals.
- Protective Coating: Apply a protective coating or laminate to enhance durability, especially for items like stickers or decals.
8. Test and Adjust
Always run test prints on scrap material to ensure the white ink appears as expected. Adjust the printer settings if necessary to achieve the desired opacity and coverage.
How to Print White Ink with Regular KCMY Printers
Printing white ink with regular CMYK printers (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) is not possible because these printers are not designed to handle white ink. The CMYK color model relies on mixing the four primary colors to produce a wide range of colors, and it doesn't include a white ink option since white is considered the “absence” of color. However, there are a few alternative methods you can consider to simulate white or achieve a similar effect using regular printers:
1. Use White Paper or Materials
- How It Works: One way to "simulate" white ink is by printing on white materials like paper. For example, you could create a document with a black or other color background and use white fonts. In this case, the white color comes from the substrate (the material being printed on) itself, rather than from the printer.
- When to Use: This method is ideal when you're working on designs that will be printed on light-colored or white backgrounds. You can create vibrant color prints without needing white ink. But this may not be suitable for large-scale printing, due to the large consumption of color ink.
Refer to the video link to guide you how to print white ink on white paper: https://youtube.com/shorts/JriujxNqCAE?si=twbOvDuU7uoq9hcT
2. Use Transparent or Dark Backgrounds
- How It Works: If you're using a regular CMYK printer and want to print on a dark or transparent material, you can make your design with the assumption that the substrate will provide the white background. For example, you can print colors that mimic a "reverse" effect, where the lighter tones will show up best on dark or clear materials.
- When to Use: This method is best suited for designs where the white portion of the artwork is not necessary for legibility or visual impact, or if you can use the paper or fabric's natural white color to complete the design.
3. Print Using a “Reverse” or “Negative” Design
- How It Works: If your goal is to print white text or design elements on a dark background, you could design the artwork in a way that leaves the areas where you want the "white" to be blank. This method essentially leaves space for the substrate (usually a white or light-colored material) to show through.
- When to Use: This technique can be used for posters, flyers, and other designs where white text or elements are critical, but the design can still be effective on dark or colorful materials.
