Inkjet printing: Precision and brilliant colors for high-quality prints

By WhiteWall expert Jan-Ole Schmidt

Inkjet printing, also known as inkjet or pigment printing, has become one of the preferred technologies for printing high-quality photos on a variety of surfaces in recent decades. This process offers impressive detail and color brilliance, especially for photo prints. But what exactly does the term "inkjet printing" mean? How does this process work, enabling images to be reproduced in such high quality? This article explains the basics of inkjet printing and shows why this process is so popular for photo prints.

The basics of inkjet printing

Inkjet printing is a contactless printing process in which the ink is applied in fine droplets to the printing substrate, in this case paper. The droplets are applied precisely and selectively through tiny nozzles arranged in a print head without touching the printing substrate. This makes it possible to print on uneven or pressure-sensitive papers. The term "inkjet" refers to the basic operating principle: the ink is shot onto the material as a "jet," i.e., as a stream or droplet.

Compared to other printing processes such as offset printing, inkjet printing offers a number of advantages—especially in terms of flexibility and individuality. Since the printing process is not based on printing plates or stencils, it is possible to design each page individually. This is a major advantage, especially in photo printing, as each image has a unique composition and color scheme that can be reproduced exactly by inkjet printing.

The role of ink in inkjet printing

One of the most important elements of inkjet printing is the ink used. This is specially designed to form fine droplets and distribute itself evenly on the printing medium. Two main types of ink are used in inkjet printing: water-based inks and pigment-based inks.

Water-based inks are generally less expensive and offer good color reproduction, but tend to smudge on uncoated paper or when exposed to moisture. Pigment-based inks, on the other hand, are more resistant to water and UV rays and are therefore particularly suitable for long-lasting photo prints and art reproductions. Pigments are small solid particles that adhere to the paper surface and are therefore more resistant to external influences.

Choosing the right ink is crucial for photo prints, as it affects the color brilliance, durability, and detail accuracy of the print. Pigment-based inks are often used in professional photo printing systems in particular to ensure high color fidelity and consistency.

Inkjet printing technologies

Various technologies are used in inkjet printing, with two methods having become particularly prevalent: thermal inkjet printing and piezoelectric inkjet printing.

In thermal inkjet printing, heat is used to force the ink through the nozzles. The heat creates a vapor bubble that propels the ink droplets through the nozzle. This process is often used in home printers because it is inexpensive and allows for high printing speeds.

In piezoelectric inkjet printing, on the other hand, the ink is forced out of the nozzle by an electrical impulse. When an electrical voltage is applied, a piezoelectric element changes its shape, generating the pressure required to eject the ink from the nozzle. This method allows for greater precision and finer control over the size of the ink droplets. It is therefore particularly suitable for high-quality photo printing.

Both technologies have their specific advantages and disadvantages, with the piezoelectric approach often delivering better results for photo printing as it enables more even ink distribution and finer detail reproduction.

The printing medium: paper types and their effect

In addition to the ink, the paper used also plays a decisive role in the quality of a photo print. Inkjet printing can be used on a wide variety of papers, from simple standard paper to special photo papers such as our high-quality WhiteWall Fine Art papers.

Photo papers for inkjet printing often have a special coating that improves ink absorption and maximizes color brilliance. These coatings ensure that the ink remains on the surface and does not penetrate the paper, making image details appear sharper and colors more intense. There are glossy, satin, and matte photo papers, each of which produces different visual effects.

Glossy papers give photos a high-gloss, professional look and are particularly suitable for colorful and high-contrast images. Matte papers offer a more subtle, elegant look that is suitable for black-and-white photographs or art reproductions. Satin papers offer a compromise between the two options and are popular with many photographers.

The importance of print resolution

Another key element of inkjet printing is print resolution. This is usually specified in DPI (dots per inch) and indicates how many ink dots per inch are applied to the paper. The higher the DPI number, the finer and more detailed the print.

For high-quality photo prints, a resolution of at least 300 DPI is recommended to ensure that all details of the image are clear and sharp, even when viewed from a short distance. Modern inkjet printers are often capable of resolutions of up to 1,200 DPI or more. Although this enables very accurate reproduction of the finest image details, it exceeds the resolution capacity of the human eye, which is why differences are hardly noticeable at such high print resolutions.

However, it is not only the resolution that determines the print quality. The precision with which the ink droplets are placed also plays a decisive role. Modern printers are able to control the droplet size and placement so finely that impressive print results can be achieved even at lower DPI values.

Color management in inkjet printing

Color accuracy is another key aspect of inkjet printing, especially in the field of photography. Color management plays an important role in ensuring that the printed images are as close as possible to the original colors. Most inkjet printers use the CMYK color model, which consists of the primary colors cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. By combining these colors, almost any shade can be created . Note: For our WhiteWall products, we recommend uploading images in the larger RGB color space (sRGB or Adobe RGB). RGB images are automatically converted to CMYK by the printer.

Advanced printing systems designed specifically for photo printing often use additional ink colors such as light cyan, light magenta, or gray tones to enable even finer gradations and more precise color reproduction. These additional colors ensure smoother transitions and improved detail reproduction, especially in areas with shadows or subtle color nuances. This is particularly important for large formats, such as the WhiteWall Masterprint.

In addition, correct calibration of the printer is essential to avoid color deviations. Many professional printers work with color profiles that ensure that the color reproduction on the monitor matches the printed image.

Fazit

Inkjet printing is a versatile and precise method for producing high-quality photo prints. The targeted application of ink in the finest droplets achieves impressive detail and color fidelity. Inkjet printing offers unbeatable advantages for photo prints thanks to its flexibility and the possibility of using different types of paper and ink. If you want to print your most beautiful images on our high-quality WhiteWall papers, such as Fine Art Print on aluminum Dibond, inkjet printing is an excellent choice to let your images shine in all their glory.