PFFC - September 2007 - (Page 38)

GREEN CONVERTING Other money-saving production tips include the following options: uGanging multiple print jobs that use the same paper stock and ink, thereby reducing paper use and lowering the number of makereadies and plates; uUsing digital photography where appropriate to reduce or eliminate paper usage; uUsing digital proofing and electronic file delivery to minimize paper waste and speed the production process. Ink Issues Printing Measures About the Forest Stewardship Council The Forest Stewardship Council is an international non-profit organization founded in 1993 to support environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests. It is comprised of an alliance of environmental and social groups, forestry professionals, and indigenous peoples’ organizations from around the world. To date, the strict standards of the FSC have been applied to forestlands in more than 60 countries throughout the world. Contact the FSC for further information: www.fscus.org (US); www.fscoax.org (Intl.) The FSC logo identifies products which contain wood from well-managed forests certified in accordance with the rules of the Forest Stewardship Council. © 1996 Forest Stewardship Council A.C. uSupplier Infot uMonadnock Paper Mills | www.mpm.com PFFC-ASAP 304 38 | SEPTEMBER 2007 There are two eco-centric factors involved when considering ink options: the effect on the printing process and recyclability of the finished printed piece. Areas of concern here include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), non-renewable resources, and heavy metals used in pigments. Petroleum- Versus Vegetable-Based Inks | More and more printers are reducing their use of VOCs and offering their customers environmentally preferred alternatives to petroleum inks. Petroleum-based inks contain ozonedepleting distillates and VOCs—heatset web offset inks emit the most. But, while many of these pollutants can be eliminated using catalytic converters, petroleum is not a renewable material. Vegetable oil-based inks, or “agribased” inks, offer an attractive alternative to those that are petroleum-based. These biodegradable, low-VOC inks are well suited for use on uncoated paper and are made with renewable resources such as soy, linseed, cottonseed, tung, or china wood oil. The percentage of soy or vegetable oil may vary from 20%–100% within the ink formulation, with any remaining percentages being petroleum. Printers usually will offer a range of percentages and options. The key point to remember is that although agri-based inks may contain some petroleum, they do not have the VOC levels of solvent-based ink formulations, which can be as high as 40%. In order to save money and environmental resources, designers may consider using fewer inks, or using spot colors for innovative designs with punch. Also, metallic and fluorescent inks should be used sparingly when possible due to their environmental toxicity. In addition, the use of fewer full-page ink floods also reduces the amount of processing that is required when recycling recovered paper. Finally, downsizing paper sheet size when using ink bleeds can reduce trim waste significantly as well as lower the expense of upgrading to oversized sheet sizes that typically are used for bleeds. Printers are continuing to move away from the use of solvent-based products in the print production process. Many do their part for the environment by using alcohol-free substitutes that use glycol during the platemaking process, soy- and vegetable-based inks when printing (save that of heatset web offset), low-VOC and water-miscible solvents for blanket washes, computer-to-plate (CTP) or direct imaging (DI) technologies, digital printing for small runs, and EPA-licensed chemical waste disposal. Other environmentally minded measures include the following options: uWaterless printing—fountain solution elimination; reduced paper and energy waste; high print quality with low dot gain, better color saturation, faster makereadies; uAqueous-based varnish—economical, fewer VOCs, no clean-up solvents, recyclable, repulpable (tip: use spot varnish only on heavily inked areas versus a flood coating of varnish); u100% solids ultraviolet inks and coatings— contain little or no solvents or VOCs, increase a project’s ability to be recycled, repulped, and de-inked. Finishing Options Many finishing techniques exist that can add unique and dramatic elements to a printed piece or package. Embossing and die-cutting are two environmentally friendly ways to add depth and dimension to a piece without the use of chemicals or inks. Embossing can be one-level, multi-level, registered with inks, and/ or sculpted, which is especially beautiful on secondary packaging to add texture and shelf appeal. Die-cut windows in secondary packaging can add a level of interactivity and maximize the impact of primary packaging. Also, both embossing and die-cutting dies can be reused, thereby maximizing investments. Engraving is an elegant, old-world printing technique. It has minimal impact on the environment, as most engraving inks are either water- or vegetable-based. Putting even a few of these tips into practice not only will help your business help the environment but will serve to keep your employees thinking innovatively when designing products. Dave Lunati has been driving marketing initiatives for Monadnock Paper Mills for more than five years. He has 12+ years of experience working in paper manufacturing and technology for a wide range of industries. Dave hails from Boston, MA, and is a graduate of Harvard College. Contact him at 603-588-8644; dlunati@mpm.com. WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM http://www.fscus.org http://www.fscoax.org http://www.mpm.com http://WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of PFFC - September 2007

Table of Contents First Glance From the Editor Calendar of Events Web Lines Process Management News Clips Narrow Web & Label Reporter Narrow Web & Label What’s New Products Narrow Web Sustainability: Going Green? What's the Score with Wal-Mart's Scorecard? Straight Talk From Your Trade Associations Learn 5 Key Elements to Creating Cost-Effective and Eco-Conscious Packaging Install Energy-Efficient Light Fixtures and Reap the Environmental Benefits People, Profit, Planet: How to Balance the Impact of a Triple-bottom-line Philosophy Show Preview What’s New Products Services Directory Classified Marketplace Equipment Buyers & Sellers Advertisers Index Experience Speaks

PFFC - September 2007

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