Solid ink

Solid ink is a technology used in computer printers and multifunction devices originally credited with creation by Tektronix in 1986. After Xerox acquired the Tektronix Color Printing and Imaging Division in 2000, the solid ink technology became part of the Xerox line of office printing and imaging products. Early offerings focused on the graphic arts industry.

However, after a legal battle with Dataproducts Corporation, Tektronix ended up paying royalties to Dataproducts for the use of the technology.

The first solid ink printer, the SI-480, was developed and released to the market in 1988 by Dataproducts Corporation. This was a monochrome printer that met with limited success. The first color solid ink printer was also released by Dataproducts Corporation.

The Tektronix Phaser III product introduced in 1991 cost $10,000 US. As the technology improved and costs were reduced, the focus shifted to office printing environments where quality and cost efficiency are important.

Solid ink printers are still expensive: Xerox remains the only producer.

In the 1990s, a succession of solid ink printers capable of printing up to Tabloid Extra size were introduced, including the Tektronix Phaser III, the Tektronix Phaser 300, and culminating with the Tektronix Phaser 380 in 1997. A wide format printer, the Phaser 600. was introduced in 1996. The Phaser 600 was capable of using roll fed or sheet fed paper up to 48 inches wide.

As of July 2015, the Xerox ColorQube 8580, ColorQube 8880, ColorQube 8700, and ColorQube 8900 printers are the current solid ink printer models.

Solid ink technology utilizes solid ink sticks instead of the fluid ink or toner powder usually used in printers. Some types of solid ink printers use small spheres of solid ink, which are stored in a hopper before being transferred to the printing head by a worm gear. After the solid ink is loaded into the printing device, it is melted and used to produce images on paper in a process similar to offset printing. Xerox claims that solid ink printing produces more vibrant colors than other methods, is easier to use, can print on a wide range of media, and is more environmentally friendly due to reduced waste output. The sticks are non-toxic and safe to handle. In the mid-1990s, the president of Tektronix actually ate part of a stick of solid ink, demonstrating that they are safe to handle and presumably, eat. The medium of the ink was (at least at the time) made from food-grade processed vegetable oils.

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