Intended Use and Printing Surfaces
The FieldPrinter is built to print full-scale layout onto flat, rigid, and stable surfaces. Supported surfaces include:
- Concrete
- Wood
- Steel
- Plastics / Polymers
Ink Types
Dusty Robotics offers water-based and solvent-based inks. Each ink type performs better in particular environmental conditions and on particular surfaces. Choose the ink that matches your jobsite conditions.
| Ink Type | Characteristics | Recommended Surfaces | Ink Color | Lightfastness |
| Water-Based |
Ideal for dry environments. Not ideal for below-freezing temperatures or moist surfaces. |
Concrete Wood Steel |
Black | At least 2 months in direct sunlight on most surfaces and even longer indoors. |
| Red/Blue | Up to 2 months in direct sunlight on most surfaces and even longer indoors. | |||
| Solvent-Based |
Ideal for low temperatures, slightly moist concrete and all kinds of surfaces from metals to concrete. Not ideal for high-temperature environments. |
Concrete Wood Steel PVC Glass |
Black | At least 1 month* in direct sunlight on most surfaces and much longer indoors. |
*Lightfastness varies with surface type and jobsite conditions.
🔍 For more on choosing and using ink, see the Help Center articles FieldPrinter Water and Solvent-Based Ink Types and Best Practices and What Is the Best Ink to Use for Different Environmental Conditions and Flooring Types.
Ink Permanence and Erasability
⚠️ Clear coat spray is recommended in high-traffic areas or areas susceptible to rain. Clear coat reduces ink erasability and could cause permanence.
⚠️ Because surface types and surface applicants vary widely, Dusty cannot guarantee the permanence or erasability of our inks. Running your own small test on your specific surface or material is advised.
For ink removal guidance, see How to Remove Dusty Ink from Concrete in this Help Center.
Recommended Operating and Storage Temperatures
| Ink Type | Operating | Storage | Comments |
| Water-Based |
30°F - 90°F -1°C - 32°C |
14°F - 130°F -10°C - 54°C |
Cold temperatures can thicken the ink, preventing proper heating and printing, while warmer temperatures can thin it, leading to unreliable or messy printing and potential damage to the printhead. |
| Solvent-Based |
25°F - 95°F -4°C - 35°C |
-4°F - 95°F -20°C - 35°C |
High temperatures can cause the ink to dry too quickly, leading to clogs in the print head. Low temperatures can increase the ink's viscosity, causing poor flow and potentially impacting the normal output of the print head. |
🔍 To reduce the risk of overheating, keep equipment in shaded areas whenever possible.
For more detail, see Operating and Storage Temperature Ranges for Dusty Equipment and Ink.
Maintaining Optimal Operating Temperature
- Overheating: Keep equipment in a shaded area. During operation, solvent-based ink cartridges can be stored in a cool box — but avoid direct contact with ice to prevent damage.
- Acclimatization: If cartridges were stored in a cold environment (below 14°F for water-based, below -4°F for solvent-based), allow them to reach room temperature (68°F – 72°F) before use.
- Regular use: Printing regularly keeps ink flowing and prevents it from drying out.
- Ink storage: Store cartridges in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight, ideally between 35°F and 85°F.
⚠️ Do not store solvent-based ink cartridges in enclosed spaces exposed to heat or direct sunlight (for example, gang boxes or vehicles). Temperatures can exceed safe limits and cause cartridge failure.