We get asked about dye-based prints often, and the honest answer is that they need more care than any other ink type we deal with. That is not a reason to avoid protecting them, but it does mean setting realistic expectations and testing before you commit to a job.
Why dye prints behave differently
Dye inks dissolve the colourant completely in the ink carrier. When printed, the colour is absorbed into the receiving layer of the media rather than sitting on top of it as pigment particles do. That gives a wide colour range and a smooth look, especially on glossy papers, but it has consequences:
- Dye prints are generally more prone to fading under light than pigment prints, and colours can shift as individual dyes fade at different rates.
- They are more vulnerable to moisture. Damp, humidity or a splash of water can cause colours to bleed or spread.
- Some dyes can be redissolved or disturbed by solvents, which matters when the coating you want to use is solvent based.
What a coating can and cannot do
Colourjet contains integrated UV inhibitors and forms a barrier against water and abrasion, so it can help a dye print last better than it would uncoated. What it cannot do is turn a dye print into a pigment print. If a job needs long display life in strong light, or will be used outdoors, printing with pigment, latex, UV or eco-solvent inks is usually the more dependable route.
There is also a real risk of reaction. Some dye inks, particularly on uncoated or swellable papers, can bleed, smear or change colour when a solvent coating is applied. Whether that happens depends on the specific ink set, the media and how heavily the coating is applied, which is why we do not give a blanket yes or no.
If you do want to coat a dye print
- Always run a sample on the same media with the same ink, printed at the same settings.
- Make sure the print is thoroughly dry before coating. Damp dye prints are far more likely to react.
- Start with a light first coat rather than a heavy one, and inspect it before building up further.
- Check fine detail, text and areas where strong colours meet, as these show bleeding first.
A note on Phototex
Phototex is designed for pigment, latex, UV and eco-solvent printers. If you are printing on a dye-based machine, talk to us before ordering, as we would not want you to buy media that does not suit your printer. See the Phototex details for more on where it fits.
For an overview of how other ink types compare, see the printer and ink compatibility hub.
Unsure whether your dye prints will take a coating? Post us a sample and we will tell you what we find, or ring 01252 624 411 to discuss the job before you print any more.