A recent post that referenced "heavy metals" in printing ink generated a conversation between WhatTheyThink Going Green and NAPIM, the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers.You can listen to the audio of the discussion between John Daugherty (left), Technical Manager, and George Fuchs (right), Manager of Environmental Affairs, and me, Gail Nickel-Kailing. Our conversation ranges from reducing VOCs, to the use of bio-derived materials, and the elimination of "heavy metals" in printing inks.
To give you a “sneak preview,” here are some of the questions we discussed:
Please give a brief description of the NAPIM and what you do. Are manufacturers of toner part of your membership?
Printed products basically consist of two parts - paper (or some other substrate) and ink (dye, toner, pigment). The Graphic Arts Industry is very focused on the use of recycled papers or papers from sustainable sources. Please tell us how ink manufacturers are working to minimize the environmental impact of their products.
Your comparison of printing processes and ink requirements indicates that energy curable (i.e., UV/EB curable) inks emit 0-5% VOCs while ink jet ink - either solvent or water based - emits from 40-80% VOCs. First what is the percentage - percent of what? What causes the difference in the two?
There has been more concern raised recently about the use of "bio-derived" materials from food crops such as corn and soy. What research is going on to find other bio-derived oils, solvents, and materials to dry and seal the printing oil?
We are all concerned with toxics both in the workplace and in the environment. Please discuss the use of toxins such as heavy metals in printing inks. Are they or are they not allowed by federal and state regulation?
There has been much discussion about de-inking and recycling paper printed with ink jet ink. If I understand it correctly, the ink jet printing process forces the ink into the paper fibers in such a way that makes de-inking difficult. Is that the case?
Where can printers and graphic designers find more information about the manufacture of inks?
You may read the two documents referenced in this interview here:
A recent post that referenced "heavy metals" in printing ink generated a conversation between WhatTheyThink Going Green and NAPIM, the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers.
You can listen to the audio of the discussion between John Daugherty (left), Technical Manager, and George Fuchs (right), Manager of Environmental Affairs, and me, Gail Nickel-Kailing. Our conversation ranges from reducing VOCs, to the use of bio-derived materials, and the elimination of "heavy metals" in printing inks.
To give you a “sneak preview,” here are some of the questions we discussed:
