I discussed sustainable paper options in a previous post, but paper is only half of the printing equation. When looking for greener printing options, you also have to consider ink. And that is where things often get a bit messy. Traditional printing inks are petroleum-based and contain volitile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to air pollution and health problems.

Because petroleum-based inks are usually found in home inkjet printers, the first step in greening our printing is to just do less of it. But, for graphic designers like myself, printing is a fact of life and a major part of business. Thankfully, the printing industry is developing many greener options for the ecology-minded designer.

Most people have heard of soy ink, which is ink that uses a soy oil base instead of a petroleum one. Soy takes very little water or energy to grow and since soy ink has very low levels of VOCs, it is far less polluting than traditional petroleum-based ink. Development of soy ink began in the late 1970s by the Newspaper Association of America, who sought a different way to make ink because of rising oil prices. Today, soy ink is used in many offset printing presses and newspapers. Paper printed with soy ink is easier to recycle because it comes off of the paper more easily, and the ink colors are brighter as well. Unfortunately, soy ink cannot be used in small personal printers, which is one of its major drawbacks.

It is especially important to consider sustainable printing options for a large print run, and since designers are in a position to choose paper and printing options for their clients, every effort should be made to find an eco-friendly printing solution. Many commercial printers use soy ink, and some go even further, such as Ecoprint, a printing company that prints with vegetable oil and metal-free inks on recycled paper. Ecoprint was the first carbon-neutral U.S. printing company and is truly a leader in the printing industry. They offset all of their carbon emissions and are 100% wind powered, setting an example I hope the rest of the printing industry soon follows.

Other developments in green printing include waterless printing - an offset printing process that eliminates the water or dampening system used in conventional printing. As a result, not only is water conserved, but there are many environmental benefits to this process. According to the Waterless Printing Association:

Many printers have been drawn to waterless printing because it eliminates dampening-related volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the printing process. Some VOCs have been linked to the deterioration of the earth's protective ozone layer and, consequently, to global warming. Now, with the release of water-washable inks, the waterless pressroom can be virtually VOC-free.

This revolutionary ink technology, eliminates the need for solvent-based press and blanket wash solutions, which typically account for a large portion of a printer's VOC output…. The environmental benefits of water-washable inks are far reaching. In some cases the elimination of pressroom VOCs may even result in expansion opportunities that were previously limited due to emission restrictions.

I recently discovered a company called ZINK that offers zero-ink printing. At first that almost sounds like an oxymoron, but it's true! ZINK uses special composite paper with dye crystals embedded in it, and a special printer that uses heat to activate the crystals for a long-lasting and durable printed image. This printing process is simple and involves less waste because there is no ink involved. The paper is also non-toxic and recyclable, making it a unique option for green printing.

There are many commercial printing options available, and now I am anxiously awaiting a more sustainable solution for at-home inkjet printing. Until then, we can only avoid printing as much as necessary and hope that the paperless office soon becomes a reality.

Links: EPA Evaluation of Soy Inks, Ecoprint, ZINK, Sustainable Paper Options