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 uses the concept of oil and water repelling each other to produce high-quality prints. The process involves darkroom chemicals, plate making (using more chemicals) and of course using the offset press itself for long runs. The press needs cleaning and maintaining with chemical cleaners and this along generates plenty of toxic waste. There is usually a great deal of paper wastage involved in this process too.
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.
More and more printers are developing environmentally conscious policies. They are not just offering lip service to going green by offering recycled paper but are implementing these policies in every aspect of their businesses. With the developments in technology, they are able to do so without affecting their bottom line too much. It is becoming an affordable option for clients to choose environmentally-friendly printers who are committed to reducing waste and choosing materials and processes that have as little impact as possible on the environment.
The offset press uses the concept of oil and water repelling each other to produce high-quality prints. The process involves darkroom chemicals, plate making (using more chemicals) and of course using the offset press itself for long runs. The press needs cleaning and maintaining with chemical cleaners and this along generates plenty of toxic waste. There is usually a great deal of paper wastage involved in this process too.
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.
More and more printers are developing environmentally conscious policies. They are not just offering lip service to going green by offering recycled paper but are implementing these policies in every aspect of their businesses. With the developments in technology, they are able to do so without affecting their bottom line too much. It is becoming an affordable option for clients to choose environmentally-friendly printers who are committed to reducing waste and choosing materials and processes that have as little impact as possible on the environment.
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You can visit www.rollingpress.com for more helpful information about Finding Digital Printing That Is Eco Friendly.
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