Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Some Features Of Digital Printing That Is Eco Friendly

By Mattie Knight


In a bid to conserve our environment the world is increasingly embracing eco friendly technologies. The main challenge is the fact that it has bit difficult to achieve the best quality without increasing the costs of production unnecessarily. The traditional printing techniques have been shown to be harmful not just to the users but to the environment as well. We will look at some of the ways in which you can adopt digital printing that is eco friendly.

There a number of metallic elements found in ink. They include selenium, lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium, mercury and nickel among others. Each of these element is harmful to the environment when used for a prolonged period of time or in large quantities. Chromium is in addition used as part of screen lacquers. This metal has devastating effects on the soil and water sources when washed into the environment.

Ink selection should be done with due diligence. Today, there are many types of water-based inks which are friendlier to the environment. The ink chosen should be versatile as relates to the materials on which it can be used. Choose one that can be used for materials such as silk, rayon, cotton and nylon. In addition, it should be usable with any color.

Water is without a doubt one of the biggest raw materials which go into the printing process. In an inefficient system, most of it ends up as waste. Being conscious about the environment means recycling and reusing this water. Research has established that slightly over 60% of water can be recycled and reused at various levels of the process. Such a move will reduce operating costs significantly.

Another areas in which great improvements can be made is in the machine used for the printing process. The main types of printers used currently are the conventional and the digital printers. The former has been known to be very inefficient in terms of water, energy and ink utilization. The digital type conserves each of these raw materials and even creates better impressions on your fabrics.

The pre-treatment stage is one in which a number of chemicals are used. Urea is one of the main chemicals used here. The compound is broken down during steaming to yield carbon dioxide into the environment. Carbon dioxide is a known greenhouse gas which damages the ozone layer. There is a special foam which now used at this stage eliminating the use of urea.

Engraving is an energy intensive process. Digital techniques use less energy by employing laser energy this has helped reduce the total amount of energy required. The other option is to turn to alternatives of inks such as the use of pigments. Pigments have the advantage being used on almost any type of medium. They do not require pre and post treatment. For this reason, they require less water and energy.

Greener technologies are no longer just about the environment; they are everything for businesses. With consumers getting more enlightened about the environmental damage caused by chemicals, they are more inclined to purchase eco friendly products. You need to re-position your business such that it meets the needs of this emerging market. Most governments have formulated policies which favor eco-friendly manufacturing.




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