Abstract: Color ink sets for use in printer systems are provided and formulated to provide improved plain paper and special media performance while maintaining good printing characteristics. The inks and ink sets of the present invention exhibit excellent color performance and lightfastness across a range of media, robust K/Y bleed resistance on plain paper at fast print speeds, as well as excellent printability and reliability.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention inks suitable for use in ink-jet printers and method for using the same are provided. More particularly, inks comprising the present dye set exhibits excellent color performance and lightfastness across a range of media. Furthermore, the dye set enables good reliability in an environment having a relatively high concentration of precipitating agents. This reliability enables the use of precipitation bleed control mechanisms. More specifically, a specific dye set for formulating the yellow, magenta, and cyan inks is disclosed, comprising Acid Yellow 17 and a yellow dye according to Formula I; Acid Red 52 and a magenta dye according to Formula II; and Direct Blue 199 and Acid Blue 9; respectively.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention a set of dyes suitable for use in ink-jet inks and method for formulating the same are provided. The yellow ink of the present invention contains a yellow colorant having a CIELAB hue angle, h.degree., less than 90.degree. to provide a true representation of colors, particularly skin tone colors. More specifically, a specific dye set for formulating the yellow, cyan, and magenta inks is disclosed, comprising Yellow 104, Direct Blue 199, and Magenta 377 dyes, respectively. The Yellow 104, the Magenta 377, and the DB 199 dyes provide near photographic images having lightfast characteristics necessary to preserve the trueness of the inkjet images by (1) producing images having less light fade and (2) images that when they do fade, fade in a more uniform manner across the color set.

Abstract: Thermal ink-jet inks are provided containing a colorant and a vehicle, the vehicle comprising from about 8 to about 20 wt % of a 1,2-diol, from about 0.1 to about 5 wt % of at least one non-ionic surfactant, and optionally 0 to about 5 wt. % of a aliphatic alcohol; 0 to about 1.5 wt % of at least one component independently selected from the group consisting of buffers, biocides, and metal chelators; and the balance water. The inks formulated according to the present invention provide the desired dot gain and dot symmetry on the print medium, in particular, gelatin coated media, while providing excellent color-to-color bleed alleviation. The images generated with the inks of the present invention exhibit excellent, near photographic image quality.