If we shouldn’t use petroleum-based ink, what should we use? Here are the top 3 eco-friendly printing ink alternatives…

SOY-BASED PRINTING INK

Soy-based ink falls under a wide category of vegetable-based ink which also includes flax, canola, and safflower.

It has an array of benefits that makes it the most popular choice when it comes to eco-friendly printing ink options.

Made from soybeans, it’s known to produce very vivid colours due to its ability to carry solid pigments. This is why newspapers and document printing tend to use this type of ink.However, what makes soy-based ink really attractive, is that soybeans are a renewable resource and the oils from the plant can be easily extracted.

Additionally, soy-based ink is recyclable and produces little to no VOCs!

While soy ink is generally slower to dry, its sustainable nature makes it a good alternative if you’re looking to switch to an eco-friendlier printing ink option!

WATER-BASED PRINTING INK

With water being another renewable resource, water-based inks are another famous alternative. It’s most popular because it produces a soft-touch feeling.

Additionally, this ink is a good option if you’re looking for something that can spread and provide good coverage. When in use, it seeps into the material rather than sitting on top.

If you’re using this ink on fabrics, it does tend to fade faster but doesn’t produce the harmful chemicals that other inks do.

UV-BASED PRINTING INK

Ultraviolet (UV) ink is the final eco-friendly printing ink alternative we’ll be discussing. UV ink first comes in a liquid form, but quickly turns solid once cured under a UV light.

One of the main advantages about this ink is that it does not contain any solvents, meaning it does not release harmful VOCs into the air.Furthermore, because of its curation process, the ink can help your business in saving costs!

As you can see, there are a variety of eco-friendly printing ink options you can use to become a more sustainable business.

We can help you choose the best printing ink option specific to your product needs as well! If you have any questions, pls let us know.