The print industry has been revolutionized over the past century as new ways have been developed to manufacture printed materials. Digital printing that is eco friendly has become an effective way of printing short runs of the types of materials so necessary for business such as business cards and letterheads. It offers a cost effective way of producing these small runs with the added benefit of significantly reducing the emission of volatile organic compounds.
The offset press uses the concept of oil and water repelling each other to produce high-quality prints. The process involves darkroom chemicals, plate making (using more chemicals) and of course using the offset press itself for long runs. The press needs cleaning and maintaining with chemical cleaners and this along generates plenty of toxic waste. There is usually a great deal of paper wastage involved in this process too.
Digital print, on the other hand, involves use of non-toxic toner in a waterless process. Film does not need to be developed or plates made. It also eliminates the need for using all kinds of chemical solvents and cleaning agents. The machines used make it easy to do short runs of full color stationery or other work involving less than 1,000 sheets.
Offset printing has the disadvantage of being too costly for smaller quantities. Great advances in imaging technology has improved the quality of digital prints significantly, meaning that it is no longer seen as an inferior option. Small quantities of quality full color prints can now be produced at a fraction of the setup time and cost.
E-mail has become a useful tool for submitting proofs to customers. They are kept informed throughout the process electronically, thus reducing driving time and saving gas while making less of an impact on the environment. Efficiency is increased, redundant prints and overruns are reduced and once again, costs are reduced as well as impact on the environment.
Use of recycled paper stocks is common. Recycled stocks should use a chlorine free bleaching process as this process can be harmful to the environment. Manufacturing paper from recycled content uses less water and fewer effluents. Over the years, the quality of recycled papers has improved and the costs have gone down. Today, with so many choices available in 100-percent recycled paper, there is seldom a good reason to settle for less, although some customers still prefer to use paper with about 50 percent of recycled fiber.
A green printer will direct clients away from petroleum-based inks that contain volatile organic compounds. Vegetable-based inks are biodegradable and come from renewable resources like soy, linseed and cottonseed. These inks contain a very low amount of volatile organic compounds.
An environmentally minded printer should be conscious about changing all the detrimental aspects of the process such as reducing the amount of toxic chemicals, waste ink and paper use whenever possible. It is not enough just to offer the client the option of using recycled paper. Their environmentally conscious policies should affect every aspect of their business. Fortunately, it is no longer too expensive for clients to opt for the green option. It is becoming more and more affordable all the time and the materials and processes used are also constantly improving.
The offset press uses the concept of oil and water repelling each other to produce high-quality prints. The process involves darkroom chemicals, plate making (using more chemicals) and of course using the offset press itself for long runs. The press needs cleaning and maintaining with chemical cleaners and this along generates plenty of toxic waste. There is usually a great deal of paper wastage involved in this process too.
Digital print, on the other hand, involves use of non-toxic toner in a waterless process. Film does not need to be developed or plates made. It also eliminates the need for using all kinds of chemical solvents and cleaning agents. The machines used make it easy to do short runs of full color stationery or other work involving less than 1,000 sheets.
Offset printing has the disadvantage of being too costly for smaller quantities. Great advances in imaging technology has improved the quality of digital prints significantly, meaning that it is no longer seen as an inferior option. Small quantities of quality full color prints can now be produced at a fraction of the setup time and cost.
E-mail has become a useful tool for submitting proofs to customers. They are kept informed throughout the process electronically, thus reducing driving time and saving gas while making less of an impact on the environment. Efficiency is increased, redundant prints and overruns are reduced and once again, costs are reduced as well as impact on the environment.
Use of recycled paper stocks is common. Recycled stocks should use a chlorine free bleaching process as this process can be harmful to the environment. Manufacturing paper from recycled content uses less water and fewer effluents. Over the years, the quality of recycled papers has improved and the costs have gone down. Today, with so many choices available in 100-percent recycled paper, there is seldom a good reason to settle for less, although some customers still prefer to use paper with about 50 percent of recycled fiber.
A green printer will direct clients away from petroleum-based inks that contain volatile organic compounds. Vegetable-based inks are biodegradable and come from renewable resources like soy, linseed and cottonseed. These inks contain a very low amount of volatile organic compounds.
An environmentally minded printer should be conscious about changing all the detrimental aspects of the process such as reducing the amount of toxic chemicals, waste ink and paper use whenever possible. It is not enough just to offer the client the option of using recycled paper. Their environmentally conscious policies should affect every aspect of their business. Fortunately, it is no longer too expensive for clients to opt for the green option. It is becoming more and more affordable all the time and the materials and processes used are also constantly improving.
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