# solid ink

> type of ink used in printing

**Wikidata**: [Q1059915](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1059915)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid_ink)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/solid-ink

## Summary
Solid ink is a type of ink used in computer printing that exists as solid, wax-like sticks. These sticks are melted inside the printer before the ink is applied to paper. This technology is used in a specific class of devices known as solid ink printers, which are a subclass of computer printers.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Solid ink technology is used in a `subclass_of` the general `printer` category.
- **Physical State:** The ink is solid at room temperature, resembling sticks of wax.
- **Aliases:** The technology is known by several names, including `Wachsdrucker` (German for "wax printer") and `Impresora termica de cera` (Spanish for "thermal wax printer").
- **Sitelink Count:** The entity has a sitelink count of 12, indicating its presence in a dozen language-specific versions of Wikipedia.
- **Freebase ID:** The entity is identified in the Freebase knowledge graph with the ID `/m/025_n7n`.
- **Wikimedia Category:** Related media, such as images of the printers, are categorized on Wikimedia Commons under `Solid ink printers`.
- **Wikipedia Presence:** The topic has dedicated Wikipedia pages in at least 10 languages, including English, German, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean.

## FAQs
### Q: What is solid ink made of?
A: Based on aliases like "Wachsdrucker" (wax printer), solid ink is a wax-based substance that is solid at room temperature and melts when heated for printing.

### Q: What kind of printers use solid ink?
A: Solid ink is used in a specific category of printers called solid ink printers. These are also referred to as thermal wax printers.

### Q: Is solid ink a common printing technology?
A: Solid ink is a more specialized technology compared to inkjet or laser printing. Its parent class, "printer," has 114 sitelinks across wikis, while solid ink has only 12, suggesting it is less common.

## Why It Matters
Solid ink represents a distinct alternative to the dominant liquid-based (inkjet) and powder-based (laser) printing technologies. Its primary significance lies in its physical form—solid, non-toxic, wax-like sticks. This design solves several common problems associated with other ink types: it eliminates messy liquid spills from cartridges and the fine, airborne particulate matter from toner.

The solid sticks are simple to handle, load, and transport, making the user experience cleaner and more straightforward. By using a heat-based transfer process, this technology offers a unique combination of print quality and material properties. While a niche market, solid ink's approach to ink handling and its environmental profile (e.g., minimal packaging) provide a valuable alternative for specific printing needs, particularly in office environments.

## Notable For
- **Unique Physical Form:** Unlike liquid ink or powdered toner, solid ink is delivered in solid, crayon-like blocks, making it clean and easy to handle.
- **Heat-Based Process:** The technology relies on a thermal process, where the solid wax is melted into a liquid state before being applied to the print medium. This is reflected in its alias, "thermal wax printer."
- **Distinctive Naming:** The technology is known by descriptive names in multiple languages, such as `Wachsdrucker` (German for "wax printer"), which clearly communicates its core material.

## Body
### ### Classification and Terminology
Solid ink is a technology used within a specific `subclass_of` computer printers. The official Wikidata description for the entity is a "type of ink used in printing."

The technology is known by several aliases internationally, which often describe its physical properties or mechanism:
- **Impresora termica de cera** (Spanish)
- **Wachsdrucker** (German)
- **Solid-Ink-Drucker** (German)
- **Impressora de tinta solida** (Portuguese)

### ### Digital Identification and Presence
- **Freebase ID:** The entity's unique identifier in the Freebase knowledge graph is `/m/025_n7n`.
- **Wikipedia Title:** The canonical English Wikipedia article for this topic is titled `Solid ink`.
- **Wikimedia Commons:** Media related to the technology and its hardware is organized under the category `Solid ink printers`.
- **Global Reach:** The topic is notable enough to have dedicated Wikipedia pages in at least 10 languages, including Arabic (`ar`), Catalan (`ca`), German (`de`), English (`en`), Spanish (`es`), Hungarian (`hu`), Japanese (`ja`), Korean (`ko`), and Polish (`pl`). The total sitelink count for the entity is 12.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013