Industrial Inkjet Primers FAQ
Why do I need a primer for industrial inkjet printing?
Primers are used to ensure the ink properly adheres to “difficult” substrates that have low surface energy or non-porous surfaces. Without a primer, ink may fail to bond, leading to peeling, flaking, or poor resistance to scratches and chemicals.
What is the difference between manual and “jettable” primers?
Manual primers are applied by hand using a lint-free cloth (“wipe-on”) or via a separate spray system. They are simple for low-volume jobs but can be labor-intensive for mass production. Jettable primers are applied directly through a separate printhead on the inkjet machine. This method is generally faster, reduces material waste and limits employee exposure to chemicals.
Do primers replace other pre-treatments like flame or corona?
Primers can replace other pre-treatments, and some primers are designed for just that, but not all primers replace the need for other pre-treatments. In many cases, however, primer is added after those other pre-treatment steps are completed to improve durability.
Can one primer work for every material?
No. Primers are chemically formulated for specific substrate families and are not universally compatible.