In the field of digital printing, water-based and solvent-based inks each play an important role, and their choice often depends on the print material, environmental friendliness and the need for print results. In promoting green printing and environmental protection, these two different inks, which one is more environmentally friendly? In this article, we compare and analyze them from several aspects.
Initially、Solvent Types and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Emissions
Water-based ink: Its main solvent is water, and its composition is made up of water, pigments or dyes, additives, etc. The volatiles in the printing process are mainly water, so it has a lesser impact on the health of the operators and meets the increasingly stringent environmental standards. Water-based inks are widely recognized as environmentally friendly printing materials, and their VOC emissions are much lower than traditional solvent-based inks. Water-based pigment ink, dye ink in printing paper, textiles and other water-absorbent materials when the performance is excellent, bright colors and easy to dry.
Solvent ink: Their solvents are mainly composed of organic compounds, and these organic solvents tend to evaporate into the air during the printing process, becoming the main source of VOCs. Although eco-friendly solvent inks (such as weak solvent inks) have been emerging in recent years, reducing the environmental impact by reducing VOC content and adopting low-toxicity solvents, it is still difficult to match water-based inks in general.
Secondly、Environmental Standards and Certifications
Water-based ink: Due to its excellent environmental performance, water-based ink has gained wide recognition and application worldwide. Many countries and regions have established strict environmental regulations and standards to encourage the use of environmentally friendly printing materials such as water-based ink. At the same time, water-based ink is also easier to pass the environmental certification.
Solvent ink: Despite the progress made by eco-friendly solvent inks in their efforts to reduce VOC emissions and the use of low-toxicity solvents, traditional solvent inks are often at a disadvantage in terms of environmental standards and certification. As environmental awareness increases and regulations tighten, the use of solvent inks is likely to become increasingly restricted.
Thirdly、Environmental impacts and human health
Water-based ink: It does not contain toxic or harmful substances and is not harmful to human health. At the same time, its lower VOC emissions also reduce the impact on the environment. In the printing process, the use of water-based ink can significantly reduce the concentration of hazardous substances in the air of the workshop and improve the working environment.
Solvent ink: Despite the efforts of environmentally friendly solvent inks to reduce toxicity, the organic solvents in traditional solvent inks may still have some impact on the environment and human health. Prolonged exposure to or inhalation of these organic solvents may increase the risk of disease or lead to other health problems.
Fourth、Integrated assessment
In terms of environmental protection, from the solvent type, VOC emissions, environmental standards and certifications, as well as environmental impact and human health and many other dimensions, water-based ink has more obvious advantages. Solvent-based ink, in view of the obvious toxic solvent volatilization, it is always difficult to say that the real environmental protection. In the pursuit of green printing and sustainable development today, the promotion and use of water-based ink has important practical significance and long-term value.
Water-based inks perform well in packaging printing on printed paper, with bright colors and easy drying, ideal for the pursuit of green printing and high-quality graphic output. For example, carbon polymer ink, widely used in color packaging printing, gift boxes/color boxes/fruit boxes printing, with fast drying characteristics, waterproof, sunscreen, scratch-resistant, excellent color performance. Solvent-based inks are known for their excellent weather resistance, water resistance and good adhesion to a wide range of non-absorbent materials. Smooth or non-absorbent surfaces such as plastic, metal, glass, etc. ensure long-lasting colorfastness and abrasion resistance of print patterns.
Both have their own advantages and disadvantages, printing solutions should be based on specific application scenarios, environmental requirements and printing results of comprehensive consideration, to see whether to choose water-based ink or solvent-based ink.
