What types of inks are commonly used in screen printing, and how to select the appropriate one for different applications?

Common screen printing inks include conductive inks (silver, carbon), insulating inks, solvent-based inks, water-based inks and UV-curable inks. The selection should be based on multiple factors. For electronic components requiring conductivity, conductive inks with high conductivity and stable performance are preferred. For food packaging or environmentally friendly products, water-based inks with low VOC emissions are suitable. For applications needing fast curing and high production efficiency, UV-curable inks are an ideal choice. Meanwhile, the compatibility with the substrate must be considered—for example, flexible inks should be selected for soft substrates like silicone, while high-adhesion inks are needed for hard substrates such as glass and metal.