Ink Choices and the Environment

On printing presses, the conventional type of ink used is petroleum-based. This is problematic in two ways: because petroleum is a non-renewable resource, and because, as they dry, petroleum-based inks release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. VOCs add to air pollution, and are a threat to the health of the people working in printing plants, who are in close contact with them on a daily basis. Metallic inks contain metallic pigments which will eventually enter landfill, leaching potentially toxic compounds to the water table. Avoid using metallic and fluorescent colours as well as inks with added antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead or mercury.

Vegetable-based inks are a better alternative. Instead of petroleum, soy, corn, walnut, linseed or coconut oil-based printing inks are available. These inks practically eliminate emissions of VOCs. Also, vegetable-based inks allow presses to be cleaned with water-based cleaners rather than sovents, further reducing VOC emissions. Another advantage is that paper printed with vegetable-based inks is more easilty de-inked during the recycling process. Colours are brighter because the vegetable oils tend to be clearer than petroleum. The rub-resistance and drying time of vegetable-based inks has been greatly improved, and they allow for laser printing, foil stamping, UV coating and other finishing processes. The cost is somewhat higher than petroleum-based inks, although as the price of oil increases, this will not likely be the case in the future.

Ultraviolet, or UV inks, are dried by a beam of ultraviolet energy, and emit no VOCs. When the inks are cured, all of their chemical components are incorporated, so none are released into the air.

Water-based inks virtually eliminate VOC emissions and do not require solvent-based cleaners, so they are a good environmental choice. However, they may not be able to be used with enough precision on all presses, especially older ones.

Edible inks are not intended to be eaten, but are a good choice for use in food packaging because they contain ingredients proven to be non-toxic.