Printing

 

Demonstration of Printwise: a "near-zero" lithographic ink and blanket wash system. 1997.

  TURI Technical Report No. 39. This report presents the results of a demonstration of the Printwise lithographic ink and water-based presswash printing system, designed to reduce emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) to near-zero levels. The Printwise system employs vegetable oil-based ink containing a "solubility conversion mechanism" that reacts with the presswash to become water-soluble. Its use could allow printers to reduce or eliminate their major source of VOC emissions: conventional petroleum-based presswash. Download PDF file (5.74 MB)

Substitution Case Study: Alternatives to Solvent and Petroleum-based Inks. 1993.

  TURI Technical Report No. 5. Printing inks are a diverse group of petroleum and solvent-based materials. Components of ink vary with ink color, the paper or other material (also known as substrate) which is to be printed, the type of printing process used, and other characteristics specific to the desired end product. This report looks into the different major commercial printing processes and the characteristics of the inks used for processes which dominate the Massachusetts commercial printing industry and less toxic or non-toxic alternatives to these inks. The purpose of the substitution studies is to provide an understanding of safer chemistries, processes, and products that are on the market and the benefits and costs to a manufacturer of switching to one of these alternatives. Download PDF file (705.16 kB)