As we become increasingly aware of protecting our environment, printers too are opting to go the green route. For many of them this is more than just lip service and affects every aspect of their business. Fortunately, technological advancements, such as digital printing that is eco friendly, has made this process of going green more possible and affordable. The offset press is excellent when it comes to long runs of high quality. However, digital printing comes into its own with small runs. It is not only cost effective but reduces the amount of volatile organic compounds emitted.
The offset press process is based on the repulsion of oil and water. It provides an economical way of producing large volumes of high quality prints. However, this process produces significant waste, especially high chemical content waste water. It also results in high wastage of paper.
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.
The use of the internet has also had an impact on both costs and environmental footprint. With the ability to email clients proofs and keep them involved at each stage of the process, much time and cost can be saved. More efficiency in this way also means less wastage and less likelihood of errors creeping in.
One of the changes that has taken place is a move towards using of recycled paper. Recycling paper offers reduced water consumption and produces less effluents. At first, recycled papers did not offer the same quality but today this has improved to the extent that most clients are happy to use 100 percent recycled paper. The costs have also gone down, so there is no significant reason for not using it.
The use of petroleum-based inks is also changing. They emit volatile organic compounds and so a number of printers are moving towards the use of vegetable-based inks containing a low amount of these compounds. These vegetable-based inks like soy, cottonseed and linseed are biodegradable, renewable resources.
Many printers today have environmentally friendly policies in place. They are moving in this direction not only because their customers are demanding it, but also because of their own convictions. They are committed to reducing wastage, particular toxic waste. They are using papers, inks and processes with the least impact possible on the environment. Their customers are discovering they do not have to fork out much more money to support these changes. As technology improves, so choosing this route becomes more and more affordable.
The offset press process is based on the repulsion of oil and water. It provides an economical way of producing large volumes of high quality prints. However, this process produces significant waste, especially high chemical content waste water. It also results in high wastage of paper.
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.
The use of the internet has also had an impact on both costs and environmental footprint. With the ability to email clients proofs and keep them involved at each stage of the process, much time and cost can be saved. More efficiency in this way also means less wastage and less likelihood of errors creeping in.
One of the changes that has taken place is a move towards using of recycled paper. Recycling paper offers reduced water consumption and produces less effluents. At first, recycled papers did not offer the same quality but today this has improved to the extent that most clients are happy to use 100 percent recycled paper. The costs have also gone down, so there is no significant reason for not using it.
The use of petroleum-based inks is also changing. They emit volatile organic compounds and so a number of printers are moving towards the use of vegetable-based inks containing a low amount of these compounds. These vegetable-based inks like soy, cottonseed and linseed are biodegradable, renewable resources.
Many printers today have environmentally friendly policies in place. They are moving in this direction not only because their customers are demanding it, but also because of their own convictions. They are committed to reducing wastage, particular toxic waste. They are using papers, inks and processes with the least impact possible on the environment. Their customers are discovering they do not have to fork out much more money to support these changes. As technology improves, so choosing this route becomes more and more affordable.
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