As a designer it is important for me to know and understand how my work is being produced once it goes to a printer and one of the first things I ask is about the type of ink being used.
Vegetable-Based Ink
One would think that vegetable based inks are free of toxins, but the truth is that they still release up to 4% of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into our atmosphere. The base is made of vegetable oils such as soy, corn and coconut which are renewable resources. On the other hand, the pigment that is mixed into the oil is usually toxic and there are not too many alternatives. Certain ink colors, such as cadmium and copper contain more metal than others and are considered a hazard to health. It is best to stay away from metallic inks and to ask your printer which inks contain the least amount of metals. The disadvantage of using vegetable based ink is that it takes twice as long to dry which can hold up the production process. But the advantage is that it far less toxic than petroleum based ink, it requires less pigment, the color is more vibrant, clean-up does not require harsh chemicals and it breaks down faster during recycling.
Petroleum-Based Ink
This type of ink is derived from petroleum, a non-renewable resource, and has VOC levels that range from 25-35%. Clean-up involves harsh chemicals that add to the toxicity of the process. Petroleum ink became popular many years ago because of its ability to dry quickly, but this process is now known to be very harmful to the environment.
Aqueous Coating
This is a fast-drying, water-based coating available in various finishes that can be used to protect your printed designs from fingerprints, scuffs and scratching. Aqueous coating is recyclable and environmentally friendly.
UV Coating
A protective, high-lustre coating that is applied to the paper and dried on press with UV rays. UV coatings can now be recycled as “mixed waste”.
Volatile Organic Compounds
From www.epa.gov website: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands. Examples include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.