Liquid toners with a water base are used with several ink-jet processes including continuous ink-jet, drop-on-demand piezoelectric liquid, and drop-on-demand thermal liquid/bubble jet. They are more environmentally safe than solvent based fluids. The paper surface can be adversely affected if a heavy coverage of water-based liquid toner is applied, so special papers can be used to absorb more of the moisture without changing the surface characteristics of the paper. Water-based liquid toner can be printed on bond paper, tag and label stocks, and carbonless paper for many types of applications including direct mail forms, statements, tickets, and labels.

Some liquid toners are manufactured with low emission solvent-based fluids. Solvent-based liquid toners are not as environmentally friendly as water-based and they may emit VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), which are under strict government regulations; however, they have several advantages over water-based liquid toners. Solvent-based liquid toner dries faster so printing speeds can be increased. Curling and wrinkling of the paper (due to excess moisture) is not a problem as it is with water-based liquid toner. The pigment is more concentrated in solvent-based fluids than in water-based, so the color is sharper and the resolution is improved. Organic pigments do not fade as quickly when in solution with solvent-based fluids.