Green printing – the benefits of soy-based inks
by Jennifer Proia

As a graphic designer, I design printed materials. Brochures, catalogs, direct mail – pieces of paper that look great and get a response. But what does it take to create that marketing piece? It must be printed. But what is the printing process, and what affect does it have on the environment? What waste products are created from it? Are they dangerous to human health? Not all designers and business owners are going to ask these questions. In fact, many won’t want to know the answer. But that doesn’t change reality.

The truth is that the commercial printing process creates enormous amounts of carcinogens, hazardous wastes and pollution. So what can be done about it? Well, we can’t stop printing, right? Right (to say otherwise would put me and a lot of businesses OUT of business!) But we CAN choose printing inks that are made from natural products and processes, and that decompose without harm to the environment. Do those inks exist? Yes! They are called “soy inks”, and have been gaining in popularity for the past few decades. They are widely available and are comparably priced. And the print quality is incredible. By requesting soy-based inks over standard petroleum-based inks from your printer, you will be making a major impact on the health of the environment and simultaneously stimulating the US economy. Sound too good to be true? Read on!

Soy ink contains non-toxic soybean oil, the same oil which is used in cooking oils, dressings and thousands of other foods and beverages. Soybean oil is extracted from soybeans grown in the United States, so simply by requesting soy inks when you go to the printer you are supporting American agriculture.

As quoted by the United Soybean Board and the National Soy Ink Information Center (www.soyink.com): “Using soy ink helps the nation’s economy by providing a market for a domestic crop while diminishing dependence on foreign resources such as petroleum oil”. In today’s volatile political climate, America’s over-dependence on foreign oil is not only dangerous, it makes us extremely vulnerable. It is also finite – eventually the wells will run dry, and we will one day be forced to find sustainable alternatives for all petroleum-based products. Why not start now? Read on >>