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.
There a number of metallic elements found in ink. They include selenium, lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium, mercury and nickel among others. Each of these element is harmful to the environment when used for a prolonged period of time or in large quantities. Chromium is in addition used as part of screen lacquers. This metal has devastating effects on the soil and water sources when washed into the environment.
There are a number of heavy metals found in ink. They include mercury, chromium, cadmium, lead, selenium, nickel and so on. Most of these elements are harmful to the environment particularly when used in large quantities or for prolonged periods of time. Apart from being used for making ink chromium is a component of lacquers used in the screens. It is a known pollutant of both water and soil.
One of the most important raw materials in the process is water. Water is used at almost every stage. The problem is that most of it goes to waste. Printing firms are challenged to set up water treatment plants which will make it possible to recycle and re-utilize this water. In a sufficiently efficient system, at least 65% can be recycled. This goes a long way in lowering the production costs.
You need to re-evaluate the type of printer you are using in your firm. Two main types of the machine exist; digital and conventional. The conventional type is the most widely used. It has greater inefficiency in terms of water, energy and ink use. Replacing it with the digital type will without a doubt achieve greater conservation of these raw materials while maintaining high quality imprints on fabrics.
The pre-treatment stage is one in which a number of chemicals are used. Urea is one of the main chemicals used here. The compound is broken down during steaming to yield carbon dioxide into the environment. Carbon dioxide is a known greenhouse gas which damages the ozone layer. There is a special foam which now used at this stage eliminating the use of 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.
It should be emphasized that adopting environmental friendly techniques is not just about the environment but is also a sound business decision. Many consumers are now well informed about chemicals likely to be harmful to their health. They are likely to reject products which have such chemicals. At the same time, governments have tightened regulations in a bid to force the use of sustainable materials and processes.
There a number of metallic elements found in ink. They include selenium, lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium, mercury and nickel among others. Each of these element is harmful to the environment when used for a prolonged period of time or in large quantities. Chromium is in addition used as part of screen lacquers. This metal has devastating effects on the soil and water sources when washed into the environment.
There are a number of heavy metals found in ink. They include mercury, chromium, cadmium, lead, selenium, nickel and so on. Most of these elements are harmful to the environment particularly when used in large quantities or for prolonged periods of time. Apart from being used for making ink chromium is a component of lacquers used in the screens. It is a known pollutant of both water and soil.
One of the most important raw materials in the process is water. Water is used at almost every stage. The problem is that most of it goes to waste. Printing firms are challenged to set up water treatment plants which will make it possible to recycle and re-utilize this water. In a sufficiently efficient system, at least 65% can be recycled. This goes a long way in lowering the production costs.
You need to re-evaluate the type of printer you are using in your firm. Two main types of the machine exist; digital and conventional. The conventional type is the most widely used. It has greater inefficiency in terms of water, energy and ink use. Replacing it with the digital type will without a doubt achieve greater conservation of these raw materials while maintaining high quality imprints on fabrics.
The pre-treatment stage is one in which a number of chemicals are used. Urea is one of the main chemicals used here. The compound is broken down during steaming to yield carbon dioxide into the environment. Carbon dioxide is a known greenhouse gas which damages the ozone layer. There is a special foam which now used at this stage eliminating the use of 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.
It should be emphasized that adopting environmental friendly techniques is not just about the environment but is also a sound business decision. Many consumers are now well informed about chemicals likely to be harmful to their health. They are likely to reject products which have such chemicals. At the same time, governments have tightened regulations in a bid to force the use of sustainable materials and processes.
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