Zero Ink, Yet Not Completely: Zink's Ink Innovation Explained
Reinventing Instant Photography: The Rise of Zink
We've all heard of inkjet and laser printers, but have you ever pondered the humble thermal printer? Say goodbye to your preconceived notions, because one particular type of thermal printer, powered by a technology called Zink (pronounced "zing"), is revolutionizing the way we print photos. It's not just about fast, monochrome prints anymore – these devices offer astonishing color quality reminiscent of traditional photography.
While Zink may not be a household name yet, it's out there, ready to be discovered. Amazing pocket-sized printers are easily accessible for purchase, and they're not going to break the bank. I recently encountered an HP-branded Zink printer in action, and it blow my mind with its crystal-clear image quality, given its wallet-size limitations.
Zink's Magic
The extraordinary photo technology behind Zink was developed by none other than Polaroid. The genius invention involves a unique type of paper, featuring three layers of amorphochromic dyes that remain colorless until activated. This activation occurs through heat application, but not just any heat – the heat level dictates which color the dye will become.
By meticulously controlling the duration and intensity of the heat, the printer is able to precisely target each dye layer:
- The top layer, which requires high heat, will turn yellow.
- The middle layer, or magenta, responds to medium heat but requires a longer pulse to heat up.
- Lastly, the bottom layer, cyan, is activated by the lowest temperature and requires the longest pulse.
To put it into context, the print process is similar to preparing fried ice cream: applying heat to the outer layer for a brief moment to activate the color, while the inner layers remain untouched.
The pulses used range from 500 microseconds for yellow to 10 milliseconds for cyan. The colors are not activated through heating directly but rather by a solvent, which melts at the appropriate temperature, causing the dye to change color. As a result, the dye does not undergo a chemical change due to heat but is instead altered by the solvent, which is released as the heat is applied.
Check out the video below to witness the fascinating process in action:
From Polaroid to Zink Imaging
Zink began as an innovation stemming from Polaroid's commitment to finding an alternative for their instant film that employed color dyes that could diffuse towards the surface. Unfortunately, this method proved difficult to control, so they sought something else.
The solution was a colorless chemical that could be activated by light. Although Polaroid abandoned this project in the 1980s, they returned to the concept in the 1990s as digital photography challenged their dominance in the market.
With digital photography on the rise, Polaroid envisioned a portable printer as a potential life-saver for the company. The idea was to combine the earlier research on colorless dyes with commercially available thermal print heads to create an instant color printer.
By the early 2000s, the team achieved success by printing a 2x3-inch photo that required 200 million pulses of heat. Although the results were promising, they still had room for improvement. Unfortunately, Polaroid filed for bankruptcy in 2001, leaving the project in limbo.
Zink Imaging to the Rescue
Realizing that the technology had potential, the project's driving force managed to find another buyer for the technology. This company, Zink Imaging, entered the scene and partnered with Alps to develop the hardware. Their collaboration piqued the interest of an investor, who stepped in and saved the company from Polaroid's remnants.
Zink Imaging worked tirelessly to perfect the technology and eventually brought a commercially viable product to market. One problem they solved was handling the minor variations in paper quality between different batches. The solution was to include a barcode on the first sheet of every pack of paper, allowing the printer to calibrate itself accordingly.
Making a Mark on the Market
Today, you can find an array of Zink-based printers available from various manufacturers, making it easier than ever to get your hands on one. Leading brands like HP, Polaroid, and Kodak employ Zink technology and are supported by manufacturing partners to build a variety of printers. Take a look at your favorite retailer for "zink printer" options, including pocket-sized and 4x6-inch models.
Although it's a misnomer to call Zink printers "inkless," since the color is embedded in the paper, they do offer several advantages over traditional inkjet printers:
- No messy ink cartridges to deal with
- No risk of clogging when the printer is not used for an extended period
Nonetheless, the paper does come at a cost, similar to that of inkjet ink. However, you won't have to worry about the printer being unusable after months of disuse due to dried ink.
Even More Features!
Though Skymall is no longer peddling their wares on airplanes, their YouTube channel offers an informative video about how the printer works.
Curious minds might also appreciate a printer teardown for an in-depth understanding of Zink technology. You can find internal images by exploring the FCC filings (which we've previously detailed how to access).
Zink printers are a fantastic way to bring back the nostalgia of traditional photography in a modern, convenient format. Do you have a Zink printer? Drop us a comment, and let us know how you're using it!
For those who prefer a more DIY approach, break out your 3D printer to create homemade polaroids!
One can appreciate the seamless intersection of technology and hardware in the form of Zink pocket-sized gadgets, which leverage advanced amorphochromic dye technology to print stunning photographs Instantly. Remarkably, these gadgets are not limited to traditional black-and-white prints but offer vibrant colors akin to those produced by professional color printers, all without the mess of ink cartridges usually associated with such devices.
