A common misnomer is that inkjet well log printer ink does not match the quality or durability of laser or toner printers. Think again! Today’s pigment ink technology lesson debunks the myth. Folks ask Neuralog, “Why is the quality of your Neuralog Callisto well log printer ink so clear?” Or they ask, “Doesn’t well log printer ink fade over time and run if you spill coffee on it?” Our practical tests answer these questions.
2 Simple Tests to Demonstrate Why Well Log Printer Ink is Critical
You asked, and we delivered; we put the Callisto well log printer to the test. The photo below shows the before and after pictures from our coffee spill and ice cube melt tests. The coffee spill seen on the well log print did not cause the ink to smear or run. Likewise, the water stain from the melted ice cube, while faintly visible, did not affect the print itself. All text and log features are still readily legible.
We also conducted a high humidity test by placing a well log in the fridge next to a ripe watermelon for three days and nights. The pages did not stick, and the ink did not transfer! Even in this moist environment, the ink held up, and the well log print was preserved.
Technically…Why don’t our inks run?
Neuralog Callisto Well Log Printer Ink does not run. Other well log printers, and in fact most inkjet printers, use dye-based aqueous inks, while the Neuralog Callisto uses pigment aqueous inks. Dye-based inks consist of a colorant that is fully dissolved and suspended in a liquid. This technology is often used in cut-sheet printers where durability is often unimportant. On the other hand, pigment aqueous inks consist of a very fine powder of solid colorant particles suspended in a liquid carrier. This makes for a more durable, longer-lasting print.
The key disadvantages of dye-based inks are water-solubility, meaning a single drop of water can ruin a print, fading of the prints, and lack of ink vibrancy. Pigment inks, conversely, last longer, are more water-resistant, and produce more vibrant colors.
NeuraLabel Printing Solutions, a Neuralog Company
Neuralog’s sister company, NeuraLabel Printing Solutions, builds printers for the label industry – GHS and compliance, barcodes and shipping, chemicals, medical, pharmaceuticals, refrigerated items, cosmetics, wine, etc. Many of these industries have even more stringent requirements for printing durability and permanency. The Callisto Printer can be used for printing labels in any of these industries.
As such, Callisto pigment ink and labels must be BS5609 certified for many markets. In a nutshell, BS5609 certification establishes whether labels remain adhesive and readable on containers and barrels, after prolonged exposure to the ocean environment, including both seawater and sand abrasion.
Callisto Well Log Printer Highlights
- Durable aqueous pigment inks are long-lasting and resistant to spills and humidity.
- High-quality colorfast well logs are readily produced.
- Any print width up to 11.9 inches can be printed – print full-scale, half scale and 12-inch logs.
- Printer prints at speeds up to 90 feet per minute.
- High-capacity cartridges are long-lasting – one set holds well over a liter of ink.
- Well logs can be printed directly from NeuraView , NeuraLog, NeuraSection, or your favorite well log application.
- Well logs can be printed from any PDF viewer such as Adobe or Foxit.
- Callisto Well Log Printer comes with NeuraView PE, software designed specifically for printing and viewing well logs.
Find out more about the Callisto printer and our Well Log Printer Ink by visiting neuralog.com.