Friday 5 August 2016

Why You Should Use Digital Printing That Is Eco Friendly

By Michelle Hall


Consumers are driven by various factors. These may include price, quality of product, social values of the manufacturer and so on. More recently, environmental impact has turned out to be an important consideration by potential consumers. Many of them are choosing products which create the least negative impact to the environment. This has been seen in many industries including printing. Adopting digital printing that is eco friendly will certainly give you an edge over your competitors.

Ink is among the most important inputs of this process. The type of ink used has traditionally been derived from fossil fuels meaning it has possessed a potential harmful effect to the environment. When the ink is broken down in the environment, it results in the production of volatile organic compounds, VOCs, which in turn react with environmental gases to form a low lying ozone layer. The ozone is harmful because it contributes to smog formation.

Another vital raw material of this process is printing paper. The use of virgin paper is a direct cause of deforestation and depletion of forest resources. Recycled paper, in contrast, helps in reducing environmental degradation. Another benefit of using recycled paper is the fact that it uses less water during processing and produces less effluent compared to virgin paper. Apart from helping with conservation, the recycled paper contributes to huge savings for the firm.

There are a number of other materials which can be recycled and reused in similar fashion. These include, among others, the ink, water and aluminum printing plates. Water is by far the easiest of them to reuse. Research shows that as much as two thirds of water passing through the first cycle can be re-utilized in subsequent cycles. Not only does this help in environmental conservation but is also an important cost cutting measure.

Make an effort to reduce on your energy consumption. This may require you to conduct regular evaluation to determine whether your printers are functioning optimally. The printers should give you the highest output possible for a single kilowatt of electricity consumed. Another measure which needs to be undertaken is a shift from total reliance on fossil based fuels. Both solar and wind energy are now being considered effective alternatives.

Similar measures can be undertaken in fabric printing. One of the most impactful is the elimination of urea from the pre-treatment of fabrics before they are printed on. When the urea is exposed to steam, it is broken down into carbon dioxide which is released into the environment. Modern pre-treatment techniques utilize a special kind of foam which does not require urea. This has greatly minimized environmental pollution.

Digital engraving is being developed as an alternative to conventional printing techniques. These include digital wax and ink. During digital engraving laser is used directly on the material to create the desired print. A major advantage of this option is the short turnaround time due to the fewer processes involved. Water conservation is another possible benefit since screen development using water is not needed here.

Every business has a responsibility towards the environment. Processes used should promote environmental sustainability and the same should be applied to the entire supply chain. Sustainable solutions are not only beneficial to the environment but also helps the business by reducing the operating costs in the long term. The consumer may also benefit through fair priced products.




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