Phone 01293 518733
Email hello@kelgray.co.uk
Consumables & Media

Inkjet Fluids

High-quality inks and fluids for industrial inkjet printers – crisp marks, dependable performance, consistent supply.

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Inkjet Fluids

Service information

We supply all the inks, make-up solvents and cleaning fluids needed for continuous inkjet (CIJ) coding printers across all major brands. Our high-quality inks produce crisp, fast-drying codes on a variety of surfaces without smudging or fading.

We offer both genuine OEM fluids and cost-effective compatible alternatives that meet manufacturer specs. From standard date codes to specialised markings, we’ll provide the right ink or fluid for the job.

Using quality fluids helps prevent printhead clogs and downtime. We keep popular CIJ inks and solvents in stock for next-day delivery, so you can restock quickly and avoid line stoppages. For high usage, we can arrange regular shipments to ensure you never run out.

Our experts can assist in selecting the correct fluids for your printers. We also offer eco-friendly options (like MEK-free inks) and guidance on safe disposal of used containers. With Kelgray’s inkjet fluids, you get consistent print quality, reliable performance, and a smoothly running coding line.

Why Inkjet Fluids from Kelgray?

Consistently clear prints:

Consistently clear prints:

Print quality is paramount – low-grade inks can blur or fade. Our premium inkjet inks produce crisp, durable codes, ensuring barcodes and date marks remain clear and scannable.

Protect your printers:

Protect your printers:

Poor-quality fluids can clog printheads and damage printers. Our high-grade inks and solvents are formulated to run clean, minimising maintenance and thereby extending the life of your coding equipment.

Continuous supply:

Continuous supply:

Running out of ink or solvent will halt production. We maintain extensive stocks and provide rapid delivery, ensuring you always have the fluids you need to keep printing without interruption.

Specialised and sustainable solutions:

Specialised and sustainable solutions:

We support specialized needs and sustainability. From food-safe inks to low-VOC, MEK-free formulations, you get the right fluids – plus guidance on eco-friendly options and proper waste management practices.

Other Consumables & Media Options

Our Consumables & Media range also includes Self Adhesive Labels, Thermal Transfer Ribbons, Coding Ribbons, Patient Wristbands and RFID Labels – a one-stop source for all your labelling and coding needs.

Self
Adhesive Labels

High-quality self-adhesive labels custom-made or ready from stock, for reliable, durable identification in any setting.

Self Adhesive Labels

Thermal
Transfer Ribbons

Crisp, durable printing with thermal transfer ribbons. Wax, wax-resin and resin options for every printer.

Thermal Transfer Ribbons

Patient
Wristbands

Secure, comfortable patient ID wristbands – durable, barcode-friendly and customised to your needs, with a reliable supply.

Patient Wristbands

RFID
Labels

Smart RFID labels combining traditional labeling with wireless tracking – high-performance, customizable tags with reliable supply.

RFID Labels

Trusted by leading brands


Our Frequently Asked Questions

Here are all of the answers to your most common questions around Inkjet Fluids:

A: We supply all the consumable fluids needed for industrial continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers. This includes ink (the actual printing ink, usually in cartridges or bottles), make-up fluid (also known as solvent or thinner, which the printer uses to maintain ink viscosity), and printhead cleaning solution. We carry standard dye-based inks (most commonly black, but also other colours) and a variety of specialty inks such as pigmented inks (for opaque printing on dark surfaces), UV fluorescent inks (invisible until viewed under UV light), and food-grade inks (for coding on food packaging or directly on food items like eggs). We also provide the correct make-up fluids for your printer model (for example, MEK-based solvents or ethanol-based solvents, depending on what your printer uses) to keep the ink consistency correct. And for maintenance, we supply cleaning fluids for flushing and cleaning printheads. In short, whether it’s ink, solvent, or cleaning solution – if your CIJ printer needs it, we can supply it.

A: Yes. We supply inkjet inks and fluids for virtually every major CIJ printer brand. We regularly support printers from Videojet, Domino, Linx, Markem-Imaje, Hitachi, Citronix, Matthews, Leibinger, and others. We will make sure to provide fluids that are fully compatible with your specific model. Each printer has specific formulations for ink and solvent, often identified by part numbers – you can give us those or just tell us the model and we’ll figure out the correct fluids. In many cases, we can offer you a choice of genuine OEM fluids or our high-quality compatible alternatives. All our compatibles are formulated to meet the OEM specifications (viscosity, drying time, conductivity, etc.), so they perform just like the original brand fluids. We double-check compatibility on every order, so you can be confident that the inks, make-up fluids, and cleaners you receive will work seamlessly in your machine. Even if you have multiple brands of printer in your facility, we can consolidate your fluid supplies – acting as a one-stop source for all CIJ consumables.

A: It’s a common concern. Printer manufacturers sometimes suggest that using only their branded consumables is required for warranty. In practice, as long as the third-party fluids meet the printer’s specifications, they should not cause damage or void your warranty. Our compatible CIJ inks and solvents are engineered to match the OEM products in all critical aspects – chemical composition, viscosity, conductivity, drying characteristics, etc. We source these fluids from reputable manufacturers (often the same companies that produce the OEM fluids), and we thoroughly test them to ensure they’re safe for your equipment. Many of our customers use our inks and make-up fluids throughout their printers’ lifespans with no adverse effects on performance or printer life. Of course, you should follow any explicit warranty conditions (if in doubt, you can check the terms or use OEM fluids during the initial warranty period to be extra safe). However, generally our experience is that high-quality compatible fluids do not impact warranty or printer health. We stand behind the fluids we supply – if there ever were an issue traced to our product (which is highly unlikely given our quality control), we would work with you and the manufacturer to resolve it. Our goal is to provide you OEM-level performance and reliability at a better value, without risk to your machinery.

A: Yes. We carry a range of specialty CIJ inks for unique applications. For example, we have food-grade inks that are formulated to be safe for use on food packaging or even for direct food contact (like coding on eggs); these inks comply with relevant regulations for indirect or direct food contact. We offer UV fluorescent inks, which are either invisible or very faint to the eye but glow under UV light – ideal for covert marking or anti-counterfeiting purposes. We also supply pigmented inks (such as opaque white ink) that are excellent for printing on dark surfaces because they show up clearly – these are often used for coding on dark bottle caps, cables, or electronics. Additionally, we have inks designed for special environmental requirements: for instance, inks that withstand high temperatures (for products that will be heat-treated), washable inks that can be easily removed (used for temporary marking on returnable containers), and inks with alternative solvent bases (like ethanol-based inks for facilities that prefer to avoid MEK). Essentially, if you have a special requirement, let us know – chances are we either stock an appropriate specialty ink or can source one. We’ll also ensure that any specialty ink we provide is compatible with your printer model and meets your performance needs.

A: Used ink and solvent containers should be handled and disposed of carefully, as they are considered hazardous waste due to chemical residues. Here are a few guidelines:

1) Safety: When handling empty (or nearly empty) ink bottles or solvent cans, wear gloves and, if possible, eye protection, and work in a well-ventilated area. Even “empty” containers can have fumes (for example, MEK solvent vapours) or a little liquid left that can be irritant or flammable.

2) Reseal containers: After using a fluid, if the container still has residue, recap or seal it. This prevents any remaining ink or solvent from leaking or evaporating.

3) Follow hazardous waste disposal rules: Don’t throw used ink/solvent containers in the regular trash or pour leftover fluids down the drain. Instead, collect them in a designated hazardous waste bin. Most likely, you’ll need to have them disposed of through a licensed hazardous waste disposal service. Many companies accumulate empties and schedule a pickup by a waste contractor when they have a batch.

4) Recycling programs: Check if the manufacturer or supplier (you can ask us) has a recycling or take-back program. Sometimes empty cartridges or bottles can be returned for proper recycling. In summary, treat empty ink and solvent containers as hazardous material – keep them sealed and dispose of them via proper hazardous waste channels. If you need specific advice on disposal, we’re happy to help or connect you with a waste management service familiar with inkjet fluids.

A: Very fast. We understand that running out of ink or solvent can halt your production, so we prioritize quick delivery. For common inks and solvents that we stock, we offer next-day delivery within the UK (for orders placed before our cut-off). We maintain inventory of popular CIJ inks (like standard black, white, etc.) and solvents for major printer brands so that we can dispatch immediately when you order. If you need a less common fluid (say a special ink or a uncommon solvent type that we don’t have on the shelf), we still typically turn it around in just a few days. We can also set up emergency courier deliveries if you’re in a real pinch (additional costs may apply, but it’s doable). Additionally, for customers who know their usage patterns, we can arrange scheduled deliveries or keep a buffer stock at our warehouse dedicated to you – that way, your fluids are essentially reserved and ready to send at a moment’s notice. In short, in normal circumstances you’ll get your ink or solvent the next working day. Even in urgent or unusual cases, we’ll pull out the stops to get it to you with minimal delay.

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