What are eco inks?

Everything that we print today at print-it-247 we do so using eco inks. The explanations below set out the benefits of using such inks compared with the more traditional oil based inks.

Environmental impacts of printing inks

Some of the pigments used in ink contain metallic substances which are harmful to human health and the environment such as cadmium, chromium, lead and mercury. Conventional printing inks are petroleum-based and used with alcohol-based solvents. As alcohol and petroleum evaporate Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are emitted. VOCs represent environmental pollution and a health hazard to pressroom workers. In terms of atmospheric pollution, VOCs react with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight to create ozone pollution or photochemical smog.

Vegetable-Soya based inks (ECO Inks)

One solution to VOCs is the use of soya or vegetable-based inks which have lower rates of VOC emissions. Petroleum inks emit 25 to 40 percent VOCs when they dry, while rates for soya and vegetable-based inks are as low as two to four percent. Vegetable oils used in printing inks are essentially non-hazardous. Mineral oils are typically refined from crude oil which is a valuable, finite resource. Energy requirements for extraction, refining and treatment are high. In contrast vegetable oils are derived from renewable resources. Soya and vegetable based inks also benefit the environment due to greater ease of removal from wastepaper during de-inking for recycling.

Your eco partner in print.

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