Articles By Mark Bale

Inkjet consultant with 17 years of experience in offering practical hands-on knowledge of inkjet deposition as applied to a diverse range of industrial applications.

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Featured image for “The Inky Innovations Driving Inkjet”
May 25, 2023

The Inky Innovations Driving Inkjet

A bit of insight into new and emerging ink chemistry at each end of the spectrum (manufacturing versus production) and what it is looking to achieve.
Featured image for “Getting there quickly and easily with FUJIFILM SAMBA JPC®”
May 2, 2023

Getting there quickly and easily with FUJIFILM SAMBA JPC®

A deep dive into the trade-offs between speed, quality and compatibility when developing new print systems and processes. Sponsored by Fujifilm SAMBA JPC.
Featured image for “The Continuing Evolution of Industrial Printheads”
April 27, 2023

The Continuing Evolution of Industrial Printheads

Printhead manufacturing has continued to evolve to enable what is needed to tackle a growing range of printing and deposition applications. Learn about the latest entrants and capabilities in industrial inkjet.
Featured image for “Navigating Industrial Inkjet Development”
March 16, 2023

Navigating Industrial Inkjet Development

An introduction into the many factors and technologies to be brought together to achieve a custom inkjet solution
Featured image for “The clear advantages of inkjet”
December 12, 2022

The clear advantages of inkjet

An explanation of the historical evolution in printing with clear inkjet inks, leading to some contemporary industrial applications and approaches.
Featured image for “Inkjet in a Spin”
October 26, 2022

Inkjet in a Spin

This article covers some of challenges and innovations underpinning the ability to print directly-to-shapes, a method that could be more eco-friendly than labelling.
Featured image for “How Can FUJIFILM SAMBA® JPC Enable Your UV Application?”
September 13, 2022

How Can FUJIFILM SAMBA® JPC Enable Your UV Application?

UV inks offer a simplified approach to inkjet implementation, mostly due to the instant curing and compact process for combining with other technology.
Featured image for “Inkjet is Primed for Print Success”
June 22, 2022

Inkjet is Primed for Print Success

Priming is all about asserting control over the ink and trying to limit the disadvantages that result from low viscosity inkjet inks. As a result, primers are developed for each application type and it is often also critical to getting the right application performance, especially adhesion.
Featured image for “Ceramic Printing – Single Pass Additive Manufacturing”
April 28, 2022

Ceramic Printing – Single Pass Additive Manufacturing

More about the fascinating process that is evolving from a hybrid analog/digital workflow into a highly digitised manufacturing with more similarities to 3D printing techniques like binder jetting but done in true single-pass.
Featured image for “Protecting and Augmenting Inkjet Prints”
March 10, 2022

Protecting and Augmenting Inkjet Prints

In this technical article we look at some of the chemistry benefits & challenges associated to overcoating inkjet to expand the end-use performance of inkjet products.
Featured image for “Si-MEMS Heads – What is the Fuss About?”
February 17, 2022

Si-MEMS Heads – What is the Fuss About?

In this article we explain a little more about why we hear so much about this buzz-phrase with reference to latest print head technology and try and explain a little print head manufacturing jargon along the way.
Featured image for “Inkjet for Decorative Surfaces”
January 13, 2022

Inkjet for Decorative Surfaces

The amazing thing about inkjet is the number of applications inkjet has managed to penetrate by offering short runs that generate freedom of design.
Featured image for “Ceramic Tiles & The Recirculation Revolution”
November 2, 2021

Ceramic Tiles & The Recirculation Revolution

Mark Bale discusses the technical aspects of ink and printheads in one of the early inkjet applications: ceramic tiles.
Featured image for “Is Pigment the Ink for Textiles?”
September 28, 2021

Is Pigment the Ink for Textiles?

A look at the growing popularity of pigment inks for textile production and the compatibility with different substrates and processes.
Featured image for “Nozzle Correction for Image Quality”
July 28, 2021

Nozzle Correction for Image Quality

Since inkjet printing uses arrays of nozzles to precisely jet ink, the effect of blocked or deviating nozzles is one of the biggest barriers to quality. Learn how different systems approach the problem.
Featured image for “What it Takes to Print Folding Carton”
July 21, 2021

What it Takes to Print Folding Carton

In the third of our three-part technical series on what it takes to print packaging with inkjet, we build on previous discussion that included primers and substrate with little or
Featured image for “What it Takes to Print Flexible Packaging”
June 3, 2021

What it Takes to Print Flexible Packaging

In the second of our three-part technical series on what it takes to print packaging, we focus on the challenges of flexible packaging and consider the specific ink attributes and drying considerations that explain the printers we are beginning to see in the market.
Featured image for “What it Takes to Print Corrugated Packaging”
April 20, 2021

What it Takes to Print Corrugated Packaging

Mark Bale kicks of a series of “what it takes” substrate challenges beginning with corrugated packaging from 2009 to today.
Featured image for “Security Inks – Invisible Inkjet & Beyond”
March 31, 2021

Security Inks – Invisible Inkjet & Beyond

In our previous articles focused on ink technology, we have approached the subject from the ink’s platform chemistry perspective, such a water-based or UV. In 2021, we are going to
Featured image for “Hybrid Ink – The Best of Both Worlds?”
January 5, 2021

Hybrid Ink – The Best of Both Worlds?

In industrial inkjet, water-based inkjet is undergoing a renaissance. When it comes to the most demanding applications, it is a challenge for aqueous inks to reach the required resistance properties without posing a longer term risk to blocking the head. This is where hybrids inks offer a potential solution.

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