• Home
  • Inkjet Media | Swellable vs Microporous Coating

What’s the difference between a swellable coating and microporous coating for inkjet media?

The ink-receptive coatings applied to different types of media has a major influence on how ink is absorbed on the surface of the inkjet paper, vinyl, or canvas. The ink-receptive coatings also influence aesthetic properties (such as gloss uniformity, dot gain, and color density) and print durability (resistance to abrasion, fading, and/or water).

Swellable coatings include synthetic and/or natural polymers that swell when aqueous inks are applied. The coating encapsulates the colorant in the ink and protects it from airborne pollutants. Swellable coatings are most often used with dye inks, because pigment particles are too large to be absorbed into the coating. The clarity and transparency of swellable coatings helps maximize the vividness of color and darkness and depth of black areas. Although swellable coatings can provide excellent image quality and rich color, they are not durable. Your print can easily fade, run or scratch when exposed to the elements.

Porous coatings (also known as microporous or nanoporous coatings) are semi-rigid coatings comprised of millions of microscopic particles held together with a chemical ‘binder.’ When the ink flows into the ultra-tiny spaces between the particles, the surface of the print feels instantly dry to the touch. With pigment inks, a porous coating provides a high level of water and fade resistance.

Some inkjet coatings are applied to the back of the substrate to improve paper stacking during printing or to control paper curl.