The Importance of Smoothly Mixing Inks and Pigments

Industrial inks and pigments are used in a number of different industries. Although the uses for them vary, depending on the specific industry, all have one thing in common – they need to be mixed smoothly.

Types of Inks and Pigments

There are two main types of these inks and pigments: liquid and powder. Liquid inks are used in the manufacturing of pens and markers, they are added to ink cartridges for standard printers, and even have a use in 3D printing technology. Powdered pigments, on the other hand, are turned into fabric dye and food coloring, are used to make colored paper, and even end up in lasers, such as the ones used to break down tattoo pigment.

The Mixing Process

Mixing these inks and pigments requires a multi-step process. First, the raw ingredients need to be added to the tote or pail. Depending on the ideal color, these raw ingredients tend to be a mix of different shades of dry pigments or liquid inks, as well as some other chemical agents designed to enhance the final blend. These can be anything from emulsifiers to stabilize the final mix (this is often used in food coloring), to preservatives, resins, and solvents.

Once all of those ingredients are ready, it’s time to mix them together. The final mixture might be used right away, or stored for future use.

Choosing the Best Mixer

Many companies store their pigments and inks in warehouses, bringing them out when needed. These pails or totes filled with the products need to be mixed one additional time before they are used. Otherwise, the material will be uneven and not properly blended. This results in uneven colors, causing the entire patch of product to be rejected and a loss of money.

In order to solve this problem, you need a mixer that will combine every ingredient in your tote, pail, or drum smoothly and evenly. You need one from Even MixTM!

Our Products

We offer several different types of mixers, all designed to mix product like inks and pigments. Our IBC tote mixers, pail mixers, and drum mixers (available with single or double blades) are perfect for this use. They fit directly into the container holding the dry pigment or liquid ink and tackle every inch of the material. This results in a well-mixed product. You won’t have to worry about unevenness ever again.