Kao Collins Sigma TSK318203 Solvent Ink Cartridge for Non-Porous Films, Plastics and Metals

Meet the Kao Collins Sigma (TSK318203) Ink Cartridge, a genuine OEM, solvent-based ink for HP 45si / TIJ 2.5 industrial inkjet printers. Sigma is formulated to dry quickly on difficult non-porous media such as plastic films (PE, PET, PP), PVC, UV coats, and some metals, and it pairs that fast dry with an extremely long open time: a decap of over 64 hours that keeps nozzles ready through long line stops, weekends included. Formulated and filled by Kao Collins, a trusted partner of Hewlett Packard, Sigma delivers deep, durable, scannable codes where water-based inks will not adhere.

Key Features of the Kao Collins Sigma Ink Cartridge

• New Genuine OEM Product: A brand-new HP 45si-series cartridge filled with Kao Collins proprietary Sigma ink, not recycled or remanufactured.
• Solvent-Based, Dye Colorant: Kao Collins lists Sigma for OPP, PP, PET, PE, BOPP and PVC films and plastics, aluminum, blister foil, rubber, glass, aqueous varnish coat, gravure print surfaces, UV coats, and some metals.
• Fast, Heatless Dry: Cures fast without an external heat source, producing deep blacks and high durability. Lightfast and waterproof once dry.
• Extremely Long Decap (Over 64 Hours): Nozzles stay open through shift changes, changeovers, overnight idle and weekend shutdowns without a purge, the longest decap in the Kao Collins solvent line.
• 24-Month Shelf Life: Twice the shelf life of most solvent TIJ cartridges, so you can stock without waste.
• HP TIJ Compatible: Fits HP 45 / HP 45si / TIJ 2.5 industrial inkjet printers.

Why Choose Kao Collins Sigma Ink?

Solvent TIJ inks have traditionally forced a trade-off: fast dry on plastics, but short decap that clogs nozzles the moment the line pauses. Sigma removes that trade-off. It dries fast on film and foil, yet stays printable after more than 64 hours uncapped, which makes it the right choice for intermittent coding lines, short runs with frequent stops, and packaging converters running PET, PP, PE or metallized films. As a genuine Kao Collins OEM product, it delivers consistent results batch after batch.

Applications for Sigma TSK318203

• Flexible Packaging: Date, lot and batch codes on PE, PET, PP and BOPP films, pouches and laminated papers.
• Rigid Plastics, Metals and Glass: PVC, hard plastics, rubber, aluminum, blister foil, and glass.
• Coated and Specialty Stocks: UV-coated, varnished and glossy folding cartons.
• Intermittent Lines: Any line that stops and starts, where a short-decap solvent ink would need constant purging.

Substrate Compatibility and Specifications

• Ink Type: Solvent-based, dye colorant
• Color: Black
• Substrates (per Kao Collins): OPP, PP, PET, PE, BOPP, PVC, aluminum, foils, blister foil, rubber, glass, aqueous varnish coat, gravure print surface, UV coats, laminated papers, some metals
• Decap Time: Over 64 hours per the Kao Collins Sigma product page (datasheet lists 12 hours minimum)
• Shelf Life: 24 months from fill date, single cartridge
• Storage / Operating: Store 10-30°C; operate 10-40°C
• Recommended Printer Settings: Pen driver voltage 8.4 V; fire pulse length 1.8 µs; pulse warming off
• Manufacturer: Kao Collins
• Technology: HP Thermal Inkjet (TIJ), HP 45si

Cross-Reference and Compatibility

• Genuine OEM Part Number: Kao Collins Sigma TSK318203 (also written TSK-318203 or TSK318203-45SI). What you receive is genuine Kao Collins Sigma ink, not a remanufactured or substitute cartridge.
• Also known as: Collins Sigma, Sigma solvent ink, Sigma Black.
• Printer Compatibility: HP 45 / HP 45si / TIJ 2.5 platform printers, including Wolke m600 and m610, Videojet 8520, Domino G-Series and Gx-Series, and other HP45-format case coders and addressing systems.
• Videojet 8520 / Wolke m610 users: These printers authenticate Videojet smart cartridges. A Kao Collins cartridge prints normally but shows a Non-Authenticated Cartridge warning (E5344), ink level is not tracked, and firing voltage and pulse width must be set under Tools > Setup > Consumables (Sigma: 8.4 V, 1.8 µs, pulse warming off) after each power cycle. Test one cartridge on your firmware before ordering in volume.
• Replacing an OEM solvent cartridge? Ink4Mail recommends the Kao Collins Sigma family for customers replacing solvent TIJ 2.5 cartridges such as the Videojet / Wolke Global Solvent (WLK660082A) or Flex Solvent (WLK660081A): Sigma+ where adhesion and dry speed on film lead, Sigma where decap leads. Confirm on your substrate and line speed before committing to volume.
• Sigma vs. Sigma+ vs. Stratus: All three are Kao Collins solvent inks for non-porous media. Choose Sigma+ (TSK3646), Kao Collins next-generation formulation, for the highest adhesion and fastest dry on films, foils and metallized packaging (special order, 16-hour decap, 12-month shelf life). Choose Sigma when the line idles between prints and the 64-hour decap and 24-month shelf life matter most. Choose Stratus (TSK281503) for continuous runs on plastic wrap, PVC, Tyvek and UV coats.

Printing on PET / mylar or another specialty film? Adhesion on polyester film depends on the film surface treatment. Contact our team at info@ink4mail.com to confirm the right ink for your exact substrate.

Why Shop at Ink4Mail?

• Specialty / Drop-Ship Item: Because Sigma is a solvent-based ink (UN1210, Class 3 flammable), it ships as a special-order, drop-ship product directly from the manufacturer, by UPS ground only. It is not available for same-day or air dispatch from our warehouse. Contact us to confirm current lead time before ordering.
• Cartridge Care: Wipe the print head with a dry lint-free cloth, nozzles down, lightly across the long edge. For downtime over one day, remove the cartridge and fit a cartridge clip, then wipe and purge before use.
• Expert Support: Contact our team at info@ink4mail.com or call 1-866-INK-CART (465-2278) for personalized assistance.