Wednesday 11 November 2015

How To Adopt Digital Printing That Is Eco Friendly

By Mattie Knight


In a bid to conserve our environment the world is increasingly embracing eco friendly technologies. The main challenge is the fact that it has bit difficult to achieve the best quality without increasing the costs of production unnecessarily. The traditional printing techniques have been shown to be harmful not just to the users but to the environment as well. We will look at some of the ways in which you can adopt digital printing that is eco friendly.

Ink is made of many components among which are a number of heavy metals which include lead, cadmium, selenium, nickel, chromium and mercury. A majority of these metals impact negatively on the environment when used in very large quantities or over a prolonged period of time. Chromium is also an important component of screen lacquers. When washed into the environment, it pollutes the soil and water sources.

Ink selection should be done with due diligence. Today, there are many types of water-based inks which are friendlier to the environment. The ink chosen should be versatile as relates to the materials on which it can be used. Choose one that can be used for materials such as silk, rayon, cotton and nylon. In addition, it should be usable with any color.

Water is an important input in the printing process. Unfortunately, most of this water goes to waste. The trend is to use water treatment systems which make it possible for the water to be used many times over. Recycling the water will not only help in environmental conservation but will help lower your operation costs significantly. It has been shown that more than 60% of water can be recycled and used at various stages.

Another areas in which great improvements can be made is in the machine used for the printing process. The main types of printers used currently are the conventional and the digital printers. The former has been known to be very inefficient in terms of water, energy and ink utilization. The digital type conserves each of these raw materials and even creates better impressions on your fabrics.

There are several chemicals employed in the pre-treatment stage. Urea is one of the key chemicals used here. As steaming takes place, the urea is broken down to release carbon dioxide as a by-product. Carbon dioxide has been documented to damage the ozone layer alongside other greenhouse gases. To avoid this effect, one may consider using a special foam which does not contain urea.

Engraving is an energy intensive process. Digital techniques use less energy by employing laser energy this has helped reduce the total amount of energy required. The other option is to turn to alternatives of inks such as the use of pigments. Pigments have the advantage being used on almost any type of medium. They do not require pre and post treatment. For this reason, they require less water and energy.

Greener technologies are no longer just about the environment; they are everything for businesses. With consumers getting more enlightened about the environmental damage caused by chemicals, they are more inclined to purchase eco friendly products. You need to re-position your business such that it meets the needs of this emerging market. Most governments have formulated policies which favor eco-friendly manufacturing.




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