Saturday, January 17, 2009

Zink Imaging - Cost Effective Printing

By Matt Ryan

Zink Imaging, which stands for Zero Ink?, is the latest technology in printing. This technology opens up a completely new world in printing, allowing consumers to print without the need in a more costly manner. Zink Imaging was released in 2008, and over the next few years, will become increasingly available.

This being said, the technology is not ready to replace our existing way of printing. However, it is ready to replace the way you print images from your digital cameras and cell phones.

The combination of a Zink-enabled device, along with ZINK Paper, is needed to print with Zero Ink. The paper is the backbone of this concept, as it contains the secret ingredient to print gorgeous images.

Each piece of ZINK Paper? is embedded with thousand of dye crystals, which are invisible to the naked eye, and coated with a layer of polymer overcoat. If you compare a regular piece of printing paper with ZINK paper, there is no visible difference.

Each crystal has a pre-defined melting point - the point at which the crystal will form, into liquid state, and form a particular color. Zink-enabled devices have heating mechanisms that adjusts temperature - based on the color to be printed - which melts the crystals as it passes over each line in an image.

Polaroid was the first to begin inventing this fascinating form of printing. Their original concepts included the same type of paper, along with a product called PoGo. (PoGo is a printer that fits in your pocket, which will allow consumers to print directly from their cell phones and digital cameras.) Bankruptcy forced Polaroid to halt all development on this project. Four years later a few of Polaroid's old employees, began their venture as ZINK.

The partnership between ZINK and Polaroid will allow Polaroid to move forward with their "print on the go" concepts. The PoGo, specifically, is a palm-sized printing device that prints image sizes 2x3 inches.

Polaroid is not the only company to realize the advantage of such a technology, and the benefits of collaborating with Zink. Zink has also collaborated with Alps Electric Co, Ltd, Foxconn Technology Group, and TOMY Company, Ltd. The joint venture, of all these partners, provides a table foundation for a lucrative run with Zink Imaging!

Printing images, with the utmost quality, has been attempted by many other manufacturers. For most consumers, the quality found is decent enough to hang on their walls. However, there are many who are striving for more. Zink Imaging very well may be the solution. Not only is the paper of high quality, but it is more affordable as there is no longer a need to purchase cartridges, and then dispose of them. It not only offers economic stability for consumers, but ease of use as well.

Currently there is only one size of Zink Paper available - 2 inches x 3 inches (the exact size that Polaroid's PoGo can print). For a package of 10 sheets, you can expect to spend around $2.00.

The future, of Zink Imaging, is bright. Not only is it a fascinating technology, but it provides convenience for consumers. (Imagine printing the pictures, you just took at the park, right from a park bench.) Consumers are sold on ease of use and convenience, and this new technology offers both!

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