Application · Digital printing

Inkjet receptive coating materials

A cationic coating fixes the ink dye where it lands. Prints come out with denser, more vivid colour, sharper edges and better water resistance. We supply the cationic binder and the inorganic sol from one plant.

Printed photographs on top of a desktop photo printer
Industry scene: photo prints from an inkjet printer.

Why the coating has to be cationic

Most inkjet dyes are anionic, which means negatively charged. A receptive layer with a positive charge pulls the dye out of the ink vehicle and holds it at the surface instead of letting it soak into the base paper or spread sideways. That gives:

  • higher colour density and more vivid colours;
  • sharper dots and less bleeding between colours;
  • better water resistance and image durability.

An inorganic sol in the coating forms a fine porous structure that absorbs the ink vehicle quickly and adds gloss.

GH2019 cationic silicone-acrylic emulsion

Composition
Cationic acrylate copolymer emulsion
Appearance
Bluish-white liquid
Solids
30 ± 1 %
pH
4.0–4.5
MFFT
> 0 °C
Properties
Strong adhesion and good gloss. Self-crosslinks as water evaporates. Antistatic and mould-resistant.
Uses
Photo and inkjet paper coatings. Also sealers and topcoats on porous mineral substrates.
Packaging
125 kg plastic drums, or to order
Storage
5–35 °C, ventilated, out of direct sunlight; shelf life 6 months

Starting formulation: photo paper coating

ComponentParts by weight
GH20197
Water3
Defoamer0.01
Levelling agent0.03
Keep the whole system cationic. Do not combine GH2019 with anionic resins, anionic additives or alkaline materials. Standard alkaline colloidal silica (CH83-1, pH 9–11) is negatively charged and will coagulate with GH2019.

Which inorganic sol to pair with it

SolCompatible with GH2019?Role
GHAL alumina solYes, positively chargedPorous ink-receptive layer, gloss, dye fixing
Acidic colloidal silicaNo, its particles are negatively chargedGloss, surface strength
Alkaline colloidal silica (CH83-1)NoUse only in non-cationic layers

Starting formulations are guidance only and are not suitable for every application. Trial the product in your own system before production use.

Frequently asked questions

Why does a cationic coating make inkjet prints more vivid?
Inkjet dyes are mostly anionic. A cationic coating holds the dye at the surface, so less of it soaks into the paper. You get denser colour, sharper detail and better water resistance.
Can I add ordinary colloidal silica to a cationic inkjet coating?
No. Standard alkaline colloidal silica is negatively charged and will coagulate when mixed with cationic emulsions such as GH2019. Use alumina sol, which is positively charged. Our acidic grade CH83-A30 is still negatively charged, so it does not solve this.
What substrates can GH2019 coat?
GH2019 is designed for photo and inkjet paper coatings. Because of its strong adhesion to porous substrates, it is also used as a sealer and topcoat on mineral surfaces.

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