Solid Ink
Solid ink, a concept invented by Tektronix in the 1980s, is a type of printing technology similar in function to inkjet. Solid ink technology can be found in many of Xerox’s printers for home and office use - Tektronix were bought out by Xerox’s Color Printing and Imaging division in 2000, who subsequently integrated solid ink into their range of printing and imaging products.
Originally the technology, which was very expensive, was put into products targeted at the graphic arts industry, where the vivid colors that solid inks could produce were in high demand. Over time, the costs were gradually reduced as the technology was improved, and solid ink began to appear in more and more office printers, where the efficiency and print quality of printers was becoming increasingly important.
Most printers use a fluid ink or toner powder to create a printout of an image or words on paper. Solid ink instead uses solid sticks, which are loaded into the printer and then melted onto the page. According to Xerox, solid ink printing creates images with more vibrant colors than other methods. They also claim that it can be used with a wider range of media, and because it wastes less ink than its counterparts is more environmentally friendly. The inks themselves are typically made from food grade vegetable oils, which are non toxic and safe to handle.
Solid ink sticks are easier to install than toner or liquid cartridges, and are the cause of much less mess, as there’s no liquid to spill or leak. There’s also no cartridge left to dispose of when all the ink is consumed, offering further environmental benefit.