For images used outdoors, printing must be water-proof. That's where mild solvent types of inks come into play. Eco solvent ink is a mild form of a carrier fluid, or solvent, combined with pigment and either resin or glue, because the fine powdered pigment has to be able to adhere to the kind of surfaces typically used outdoors, usually nonabsorbent uncoated material. Eco inks are derived from mineral oil, but they're milder and use slow-drying fluids for carrier liquid. Where eco ink and digital printing come together is in advertising: images can be manipulated and then printed with new generations of mild inking for outdoor display. The level of sophistication in outdoor signage has escalated partly due to this technology that allows for significant manipulation and customization. As an ink manufacturer we press to stay updated with the current technologies.

Printers must have heaters fitted on them to speed up drying eco solvent ink. It dries more slowly than aggressive solvent ink, which has its own benefits. Both aggressive or eco ink and digital printing can be partnered, but aggressive ink historically has been more scratch and weather resistant, plus it has been effective on a wider range of materials. As an ink manufacuter we understand that the types of resins used with aggressive solvents have given the dried product a glossy finish, colors have shown more "pop." On the other hand, the milder solvents emit fewer VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, which is a relevant concern today. Especially in environments with little or no ventilation, eco-solvent inks and the printers that use them are a good solution. What makes these solvents milder is the absence of cyclohexanone and MEK, which tend to put out stronger odors. Recently, the newest generation of eco-friendly inks offers a bigger "bite" onto vinyl substrates used commonly for outdoor advertising, a factor that coincides with better dot quality, scratch resistance and dry times.