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Classification of Inkjet Technology

Release time:

2026-02-24 23:15

As one of the core technologies for digital output, inkjet printing has been widely adopted in everyday office work, commercial printing, industrial manufacturing, and creative design. Its advantages—non-contact imaging, broad media compatibility, and ease of digital control—continue to drive technological advancement across these industries. This article provides a comprehensive overview and introduction to the main types of inkjet technology and their underlying operating principles.

Inkjet technology is primarily categorized into two major systems: continuous inkjet and drop-on-demand inkjet, each with distinct characteristics in terms of inkjet mechanism, system architecture, and application scenarios.

I. Continuous Inkjet Technology

This technology uses continuous pressurization to generate a stable ink jet, and after ejection, external signals are used to control the landing positions of selected ink droplets for printing, while the remaining droplets are recovered and reused.

1. Operating Principle

Under constant pressure, the ink forms a continuous jet that is broken into uniform droplets through high-frequency oscillation. As some of these droplets pass through an electric field, they are charged in accordance with the image and text signals; the charged droplets then deflect their flight paths under the influence of a deflection electric field and land on the substrate to form the desired pattern, while the uncharged droplets are collected by a diversion device and returned to the system.

2. Common Types

(1) Single-channel continuous inkjet: This system features a relatively simple architecture and is well-suited for high-speed, large-format printing, commonly used in certain industrial labeling applications. Its print resolution is generally lower, and ink utilization depends on the design of the ink recovery system.

(2) Multi-channel continuous inkjet: This technology offers enhanced system stability and longer printhead service life, making it suitable for high-speed printing applications; some models can also be used for color image and text output. However, this type imposes certain limitations on the viscosity range of the ink and requires relatively complex system maintenance.

II. On-Demand Inkjet Technology

This type of technology generates ink droplets only when printing is required, features a relatively simple system architecture, and offers controllable costs, making it the mainstream technological approach in both consumer-grade and professional printing equipment today. It primarily encompasses thermal-inkjet and piezoelectric inkjet technologies.

1. Thermal Inkjet Technology

(1) Operating principle: A microheater rapidly heats a localized area of ink, causing it to vaporize and form a bubble that expands and exerts pressure on the ink droplet, forcing it to be ejected. The bubble then collapses, drawing ink back in via capillary action, and the cycle repeats.

(2) Technical characteristics: This technology features relatively high inkjet printing speeds; however, the printing process involves high temperatures, which impose certain limitations on the ink composition (typically water-based inks). The print head operates under sustained thermal stress, resulting in a relatively limited service life and generally higher consumable costs.

2. Micro-piezoelectric inkjet technology

(1) Operating principle: The piezoelectric ceramic material deforms under the application of an electric voltage, and its minute displacement is precisely controlled by electrical signals to compress the ink chamber and eject ink droplets. The entire process is carried out at ambient temperature and pressure.

(2) Technical features: The ink droplets exhibit a regular shape and precise landing, the system is compatible with a wide range of ink types—including water-based, solvent-based, and UV-curable inks—while the print head demonstrates good durability and delivers high print quality, particularly excelling in color image reproduction and high-precision output.

III. Conclusion

Inkjet technology, with its diverse types, strong adaptability, and ease of integration with digital systems, continues to play a vital role across multiple industries. Continuous inkjet technology emphasizes high speed and stability, giving it a competitive edge in industrial marking and other applications; by contrast, drop-on-demand inkjet technology, prized for its flexibility, high precision, and cost-effectiveness, has become the mainstream choice in office environments, advertising, and image output. As related materials, control technologies, and integrated systems continue to advance, inkjet technology is poised to further expand its application horizons, delivering more efficient and environmentally friendly digital imaging solutions for a wide range of industries.

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