Eco Digital Color Printing: Going Green with Digital Color

Do you prefer digital color printing, but you’re worried about the environmental risks? You aren’t the only one.

All digital color printers can create some waste and pollution if it’s not managed.

The excellent news is eco printing can be an option for you and your business through a few simple steps. Here’s what you need to know about eco printing.

What Is Digital Color Printing?

Digital color printing is a method of applying color to a particular surface using an electronic device. Digital means that the process is controlled by a computer, and the colored output is produced by tiny dots of ink.

Although inkjet printers were considered disposable and unreliable in the past, today’s technologies have turned these assumptions upside down.

Nowadays, a good quality production printer will last for years without replacing any parts or using expensive ink cartridges. This makes it a cost-effective way to create high-end-looking documents and eco-friendly advertising prints with your own logo on them.

What Is Digital Color Printing Not?

It’s also essential to understand the difference between digital and offset printing. Offset printing is a form of commercial printing invented by the Germans and popularized in America at the end of the 19th century.

While digital color (also known as desktop or inkjet) printers are new, offset printers have been around for a long time, traditionally used in newspaper printing and advertising printing.

Digital color printing is cheaper at first, but more expensive in the long run, as printers need routine maintenance and cartridges need changing. Offset printers are more costly at the start.

Still, they have lower maintenance costs, and you only have to change their ink cartridges when they run out, which is not as often as you would think.

It’s up to you to decide which type of printer best fits your needs. Remember that both methods are great for the environment (if done in the right way) and produce professional quality results for your business.

Not All Eco Printers Are Equal

Knowing about the printer and printer ink you’re using is important if you want it to be eco friendly.

There are two main categories of digital color printing: traditional dye-based printers and new pigment-based printers. Each type has its pros and cons in the eyes of consumers and Mother Earth alike.

They each have their respective set of solutions to cut waste. Before comparing the two, let’s learn what digital color printing means (and does not mean). Doing this might give you some ideas on which direction you should take.

When managed, the environmental impact of digital color printing can be minimal. But of course, you want to avoid making mistakes that could harm Mother Nature, and here are some quick tips.

Dye-Based vs. Ink-Based

The next step towards eco printing is choosing between traditional dye-based printers and the newest generation pigment-based printers. With a few minutes of research, you’ll learn the differences between these two printer subcategories and which ones are more friendly toward the environment.

Pigment-based printers have better environmental benefits because they produce less waste than dye-based printers. Based on their elastic properties, pigment inks need less fixative than dye-based inks do.

Pigment-based printers also produce less waste than other traditional types of printing, such as offset. They are also friendlier to the environment because they don’t need as much energy and help lower your carbon footprint.

The quality of recent pigment-based printers is so good that they can compete with traditional offset printing services. This means that you can now have marketing documents, business cards, letterheads, and envelopes printed at a very reasonable price, as well as brochures, posters, postcards, and more.

Reuseable and Recyclable Inks and Cartridges

Some manufacturers produce their own eco-friendly printing inks. In contrast, others use recycled inks and/or materials. Either way, make sure to check with your printer to see what eco-friendly products they use.

Cartridge disposal is where many people cut corners, and environmental damage is worst. You should always check the policies of cartridge disposal after using them. Print shops rarely dispose of the used cartridges in the correct manner, so it’s important to ask.

Mineral Ink vs. Petroleum Ink

Most inks made from water are mineral-based, but some consist of minerals that are not renewable. Of course, avoid petroleum-based inks as these are detrimental, so go for water-based. Still, even if that’s not the case, your printer might be able to use recycled petroleum-based inks.

Taking Care of Your Inkjet Printer

Technology has come a long way since printers were first sold to the public years ago.

Today, it’s possible to keep your inkjet printer running for longer. You can achieve this by keeping cartridges clean and storing them in the correct manner.

Printers Are More Eco-Friendly Than Ever

There are thousands of ways to save the Earth, and some are achievable through printing. Using a digital color printer for printing at home isn’t as simple as choosing from a catalog. Do your research first to find out what’s best for you and your business, as it could even save you thousands in the long run.

Take note and consider all the points we’ve discussed in this article. That way, you will realize that printers are much more friendly to the environment than they used to be. As a result, as long as we all support eco-conscious printers and other appliances, the better.

For more top tips on saving the environment, keep reading for more awesome content!