The major advantage of solvent inks in that come formulations produce durable, fade-resistant and water-fast print using low coast, uncoated materials such as self-adhesive vinyl, fabrics and scrim banner. When a droplet of solvent ink dissolves the surface of a non-absorbent material, such as vinyl, the colorant diffuses into the material.

This permanently bonds the colorant after the colvent evaporates. Because media with special ink-receptive coatings are not required, the cost of production using solvent inks can be much lower than for water-based inks.

Without exception, all types of solvent inks require special handling and an awareness of environmental, health and safety issues. Solvent ink inkjet printers produce volatile organic componds as the ink evaporates, and this requires ventilation and operating precautions.

There are many formulations of solvent inks used in the commercial inkjet printing, and they are generally grouped into three categories: hard solvents, mild and low solvents, and the co called eco-solvents.

Hard solvents are sometimes called aggressive solvents because they dissolve the substrate and evapotate quickly. Hard solvent inks offer the highest durability and their opearions involves the most demanding considerations of environmental, health and safety issues.

Mild and low solvent inks also dissolve the substrate to form a durable bond with the colorant. Prints without lamination will last up to three years outdoors on uncoated vinyl and other materials.

The print is completely water-fast, abrasion-resistant, and can be cleaned with alcohol and other cleaners. Mild and low solvent inks present less demanding environmental, health, and safetly concerns. Good work-area ventilation and exhaust or purification of ink vapors is recommended of mild and low solvent printers. 

The eco-solvent inks are based on solvents that do not dissolve substrates such as vinyl, and so they give the best results on coated media. When used on non-absorbent materials, the colorant d eos not penetrate but forms a film that sticks on the surface. Because of this, eco-solvent inks generally have poor durability on uncoated media compared to other solvent inks;images can be smeared or even completely wiped off with alcohol cleaners. Eco-solvent inks tend to have less oder, but they still produce volatile organic compounds as they evaporate and these contain materials classified as hazardous are pollutants.