PFFC - September 2008 - (Page 42)

GREEN PRINTING Green Factors Improved formulations with waterbased inks make cleanup easier. Ink suppliers are getting more involved in developing roadmaps to becoming more earth friendly. For example, the PSG recommends evaluating the following factors: u Materials and Supplies Analysis | Part of the A to Z review PSG members carry out for customers looks at incoming supplies and tracks records of vendors. We look at everything from formulation ingredients such as acrylic dispersion materials to emulsions, waxes, and amines such as ammonia. For example, we determine whether water-based inks can be used. We suggest choices of inks that are low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and pollutants. We often recommend use of concentrated colorants to enable the printer to use the thinnest amount of ink film on the substrate. This includes oftenoverlooked items such as blending just enough ink for the job. Reduced waste is the result. u Good Inventory Management | Earth-Friendly Print Looking for some practical advice on how to reduce your environmental impact? Here are some strategies you can implement right now. By Dennis Curtin, The Print Suppliers Group u Reuse Materials Whenever Possible | Examples he Print Suppliers Group (PSG) is getting out the word on “green print” options. It is part of the growing movement in the printing industry making a demonstrable impact with earth-friendly products. This group of independent distributors—representing some $70 million in supplies to industrial and commercial printers—has made a strong commitment to environmental responsibility. 42 | SEPTEMBER 2008 T The PSG—whose members are regional and not competitive—shares information on current environmentally friendly inks and efforts to “go green.” Partly driven by marketplace demands, the PSG is focusing on natural and low-impact flexographic print ingredients and supplies to get ahead of other industries. PSG is advising printercustomers on ways they can take advantage. Printers are becoming more strongly committed to this movement when they learn green also encompasses cost savings in terms of faster startups, waste reduction, and efficient job operations. Sharing approaches and experiences is helping to propel individual companies forward. Ink suppliers also can help their printerpartners tell their green impact story to customers and, ultimately, consumers. from Press Color Inc. include the following recommendations: Totes | Buy material in totes and reuse the totes to ship to your customers. In the past, fiber drums were used and discarded. At one of the Press Color Inc. customers, we replaced numerous plastic pails with a pail dispenser so the operator can reuse it continually. Boxes | If you deliver to your customer in custommade boxes with your logo on them, ask the customer if you can pick them up when you’re in the area or unpack on delivery. This saves the customer disposal costs, and you save the cost of the box. WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM http://WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of PFFC - September 2008

PFFC - September 2008 Contents First Glance Calendar of Events From the Editor Web Lines Process Management News Clips Narrow Web & Label Reporter Flexo Printing Cover: Green Converting Green Printing Labelexpo New Product Digest Focus: Ink What’s New Products Services Directory Classified Marketplace Equipment Buyers & Sellers Advertisers Index Experience Speaks

PFFC - September 2008

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