Printing Process Terms

Ink systems and press behaviour: water-based dye and pigment, eco-solvent, UV, Latex, HP Indigo and dry toner — and what each demands from the media it prints on.

Eco-Solvent Ink

A mild-solvent inkjet ink that uses less aggressive solvents than traditional solvent inks, softening the media coating just enough for durable pigment bonding while producing far less odour and no need for ventilation systems. It is the standard ink for outdoor signage and vehicle graphics and is supported by most ZST PET/PP media.

UV Digital Printing

An inkjet process in which UV-curable ink is instantly polymerised by ultraviolet lamps as it is jetted, forming a hard, durable ink film on the media surface. Because the ink cures on top rather than soaking in, it works on uncoated and heat-sensitive media and gives excellent scratch and weather resistance.

Latex Printing

HP's water-based inkjet technology in which polymer (latex) particles suspended in an aqueous ink are printed then fused by heat into a continuous, flexible film. It combines eco-solvent-level outdoor durability with water-based environmental safety and is odourless, suiting indoor retail and public-space graphics.

HP Indigo

HP's liquid-electrophotographic digital press technology, which uses electrically charged liquid ink (ElectroInk) transferred via a heated blanket, delivering offset-like print quality for labels, packaging and commercial print. Media for HP Indigo usually requires a certified primer or coating; relevant ZST models carry an HP Indigo compatibility rating.

Water-Based Ink

Inkjet ink whose carrier is water rather than solvent. Desktop printers use dye or pigment water-based inks; they need an absorbent, water-compatible coating — which is what ZST’s AC series and most photo papers are built for. Printing water-based ink on a solvent-only coating can pool; always check the model’s print compatibility.

FreePost® AC™ZST GlossyZST MatteZST RC

Dye Ink

A water-based inkjet ink in which the colourant is dissolved. It gives vivid, photo-lab colour on cast-coated glossy papers and is the economical choice for portraits and promotional prints. Dye is less water- and UV-resistant than pigment; choose pigment when the print will be handled or displayed longer.

ZST GlossyZST BlingFreePost® AC™

Pigment Ink

A water-based inkjet ink in which solid pigment particles sit in the coating. It outlasts dye for water and UV resistance and is preferred for portfolios, albums and any print that will be handled. ZST matte and RC papers accept both dye and pigment.

ZST MatteZST RCFreePost® AC™

Offset Printing

Also called lithographic offset (柯氏 / 柯式 / 胶印): the image is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket, then onto the media. It is the standard for long commercial runs. UV offset uses UV-curable inks and appears on many ZST film datasheets as “UV Offset” or “Offset”; those models need a coating that accepts offset ink, unlike desktop water-based papers.

FreePost® WALLIZARD®FreePost® Easy Cling™FreePost® Spider™

Screen Printing

A stencil process (丝网印刷) in which ink is pushed through a mesh screen onto the media. It lays down a thick, opaque ink film and is used for spot colours, whites and durable graphics. Some ZST film models list screen-printing compatibility; the coating must hold the heavy ink deposit without cracking when the film is flexed.

FreePost® WALLIZARD®FreePost® Easy Cling™FreePost® Spider™

Toner Printing

Electrophotographic printing that fuses dry toner with heat — colour-laser printers and many digital presses. The media must tolerate fuser temperature without curling or melting. ZST colour-laser photo papers and selected film models (listed as Toner / 激光碳粉) are built for this workflow.

ZST Colour LaserFreePost® WALLIZARD®FreePost® Easy Cling™