UV ink is a metastable, complex chemical system, and its degradation process is irreversible. Even when stored in sealed conditions, its components will gradually undergo chemical and physical changes over time.
This process is similar to paint forming a hardened skin after long-term storage.
| Component | Typical Content | Primary Function | Chemical Stability |
| Photoinitiator | 3-8% | Absorbs UV light to initiate curing | Must be stored away from light (decomposes under light exposure) |
| Monomer | 30-50% | Forms cured film | Prone to self-polymerization |
| Oligomer | 20-40% | Provides performance properties | Relatively stable |
| Pigment | 5-15% | Coloration | Prone to settling/flocculation |
| Dispersant | 1-5% | Stabilizes pigments | May degrade over time |
| Polymerization Inhibitor | 0.1-0.5% | Prevents self-polymerization | Gradually consumed |
UV ink contains reactive monomers (such as TPGDA or HDDA) and photoinitiators. To prevent curing during storage, small amounts of polymerization inhibitors are added.
Process: Inhibitors continuously neutralise free radicals generated by ambient heat or impurities, preventing polymerization.
Consequence: Over time, inhibitors are depleted. Once levels drop too low, free radicals initiate chain polymerization, forming microscopic gel clusters. This increases viscosity and reduces flow.
Pigment particles (such as TiO₂ in white ink) are stabilised by dispersants through steric hindrance or electrostatic repulsion.
Process: Over time, dispersant effectiveness decreases due to molecular degradation or competitive adsorption. Without this protection, pigment particles attract each other and agglomerate, growing from ~200 nm to micron-scale clusters.
Consequence: These agglomerates form hard sediment that cannot be redispersed. When passing through the print head, they can clog nozzles — the primary cause of irreversible blockage.
Expired UV ink undergoes chemical and physical degradation:
Increased viscosity from internal reactions
Pigment agglomeration into large particles
Both issues can clog print head nozzles. This type of clogging is typically irreversible and cannot be resolved through cleaning cycles.
| Requirement | Specification |
| Temperature | Room temperature storage |
| Light exposure | Store away from light |
| Sealing | Original sealed packaging |
| Storage orientation | Stored upright |
UV ink has a clearly defined shelf life and cannot be used after expiration. We recommend purchasing based on your actual printing consumption, planning your inventory cycle reasonably, and avoiding losses from ink spoilage due to prolonged storage.
The eufyMake Ink Subscription Service will launch in May. Please follow the official website for updates.
This service provides scheduled, automatic ink delivery:
No need for manual reordering
Ensures a consistent ink supply
Key Benefits:
More competitive ink pricing
Automatic recurring delivery
Flexible plans for different usage levels, with discounts available for one-time purchases