Water-Based Marking Fluid

About Water-Based Marking Inks

Water-based inks are easily removable, making them ideal for reject marking applications. Unlike solvent- or oil-based marking inks, water-based inks have non-toxic compositions, adhere to porous surfaces very well without smudging, and are easier to handle.

Key Features & Benefits

  • Eco-Friendly: Water-based inks are manufactured without hazardous materials or plastics, which removes petroleum, fossil fuels, and harmful chemicals from its production. They also have little to no volatile organic compounds, making them non-flammable, non-toxic, and non-hazardous.
  • Excellent Adhesion & Visibility: Our water-based inks adhere incredibly well to porous surfaces and other surface types and come in a range of vibrant colors. We even carry an “invisible” UV-activated option for anti-counterfeiting applications, invisible lot number tracking, and expiration date tracking.
  • Quick-Drying & Smudge-Resistant: Carco’s water-based marking inks have drying capabilities, which helps prevent smudging or running inks.
  • Low Maintenance: Since this ink is formulated with water, it can be washed away easily instead of using specialty solutions or equipment.

Color Options We Offer

Please note that these are representative colors. The final appearance on your part will vary with formula, application method, and substrate.

Our Water-Based Marking Inks

WS-800A flammable solvent/water based dye-type water wash-off marking fluid. The WS-800 exhibits a faster dry time and penetrates light oil films normally encountered on strip steel and "body-in-white" automotive body panels.
WS-860A non-flammable, non-hazardous, non-settling dye type water based marking fluid used on nonporous substrates where the mark needs to be easily removed with water.
WFL-860 FluorescentWater based "invisible" marking fluid activated by 366 nm ultraviolet light. Fluorescent enhanced dye type (visible) inks are also available in a limited number of colors. The marking fluid is designed for automatic luminescent or U.V activated applications.
WS-910A non-flammable, non hazardous, pigmented water based marking fluid where the mark needs to be easily removed from dark or black substrates in a pre-wash before painting.
WS-835A non-flammable, non-hazardous dye type water removable marking fluid that never dries. Excellent for reject marking where open pad or open felt tip marker may sit idle for many hours before required marking. Often used in Carco Spring/Contact marker applications.
WS-935A non-flammable, non-hazardous pigmented water removable marking fluid that never dries. Excellent for reject marking where open pad or open felt tip marker may sit idle for many hours before required marking. Often used in Carco Spring/Contact marker applications.

Common Applications

  • Automotive: Our water-based inks can penetrate light oil films and are easily removable, making them exceptional for marking strip steel and “body-in-white” automotive body panels.
  • Wheel & Tire: Water-based inks are washable and have excellent adhesion to porous surfaces, making them great for temporary alignment, positioning, and guiding marking applications in the wheel and tire industry. Water-Based Inks wash-off easily at final assembly to meet OEM cosmetic requirements.
  • Paper & Packaging: Water-based ink is non-toxic, so it can be safely used to provide moisture-resistant temporary marking on food packaging materials, and in quality control and sorting identification applications. Our UV Invisible is used to mark count-breaks in packaging to ensure accurate bundles and packs of material.

Why Choose Carco Inks?

All inks we manufacture are available in a rainbow of color options, compatible with many surfaces, and can be permanent or non-permanent based on application needs. Every ink we produce is made to order to ensure you receive a solution that best meets your requirements. Additionally, as a U.S.-based manufacturer, we can promise industry-leading shipping times, ongoing technical support, and cost-effective options for our customers.