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How To Adopt Digital Printing That Is Eco Friendly

By Mattie Knight


There is pressure from all quarters to adopt manufacturing techniques which promote environmental conservation. Fabric printing is one of the areas which has been put in the spotlight due to the damage which has long been attributed to the use of inks. The good news is that there are many alternative materials and processes which can be adopted. We will look at some of the characteristics of digital printing that is eco friendly.

Ink is made of many components among which are a number of heavy metals which include lead, cadmium, selenium, nickel, chromium and mercury. A majority of these metals impact negatively on the environment when used in very large quantities or over a prolonged period of time. Chromium is also an important component of screen lacquers. When washed into the environment, it pollutes the soil and water sources.

When selecting ink, you need to consider a number of factors. The ink should not have the heavy metals which degrade the environment. The best type of ink is one which has great versatility such that it usable with a wide range of materials which include nylon, cotton, silk and rayon among others. Additionally, it can produce high quality imprints on any color of fabric.

Water is an important input in the printing process. Unfortunately, most of this water goes to waste. The trend is to use water treatment systems which make it possible for the water to be used many times over. Recycling the water will not only help in environmental conservation but will help lower your operation costs significantly. It has been shown that more than 60% of water can be recycled and used at various stages.

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.

There are several chemicals employed in the pre-treatment stage. Urea is one of the key chemicals used here. As steaming takes place, the urea is broken down to release carbon dioxide as a by-product. Carbon dioxide has been documented to damage the ozone layer alongside other greenhouse gases. To avoid this effect, one may consider using a special foam which does not contain urea.

During engraving, a significant amount of energy is utilized. When using digital techniques, it is possible to considerably reduce this amount of energy. The other option which can be considered at this stage is the use of pigments as an alternative. Pigments are more efficient because they do not require pre-treatment and can be used for any medium.

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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