Classification of Ink Jet Printers and Inks

This study evaluates and compares ink samples from current and discontinued ink jet printer models in an effort to classify and date the formulations of ink. The physical and chemical properties of black ink samples printed with 18 types of cartridges (used in 32 different printer models) and unprocessed samples from eight black ink cartridges were analyzed. This research found that: (1) processed and raw inks from the same model cartridges produced varying spectral results and consistent chemical results, (2) many of the inks could be differentiated and classified and (3) the limited sampling of inks available for dating could be correlated to an introduction or revision date.