Using Water-Based Inks for a Cleaner and Greener Planet

"There are so many misconceptions regarding the sustainability of water-based inks, and these have drawn negative impressions on some. But the truth is it is a matter of usage that water-based screen printing sometimes does not comply with the sustainability of the product. If the step-by-step process is mishandled, there is a great possibility of polluting the environment. So in order to maintain the sustainability of water-based inks, users and manufacturers must learn first-hand about the correct processes of sustainable screen printing such as ink application and ink cleanup after printing.

Water-based inks use water mainly as solvents. However, one must take note that water is not the only solvent used but there are also other “co-solvents” added in order to save time and heat needed for the curing of water-based inks on the fabrics. An example of such co-solvent is a petroleum-based solvent. Water-based inks manufacturers also use special emulsions, pigments, thickeners, binders and hardeners so that the ink will not break down. Since these co-solvents have lesser sustainability as compared to water, one must always make a conscious effort to thoroughly clean up and properly discard the wastes that come after the printing process. These wastes, in any occasion, must never be discarded down the drain. Therefore, proper screen cleaning methods are recommended in order to capture all wasted solids.

Conventional water-based inks become a part of the cloth and soak very well thus provides good wash-ability and color-fastness. Water-based inks work well where ink penetration on high nap fabrics is required, such as towel printing, but water-based screen printing is not desirable for other textile printing since it will destroy the registration and design of multiple colors.

It is always advisable to have a good supply of water, sponges and towels, or rags handy when working with water-based inks in order to constantly clean the bottom of the screens while printing and after cleaning them with sponges. These items are a necessity if you do not use waterproof block-out and tape. Normally meshes as fine as 305monofilament polyester is used, but only for those who use plastisols for screen printing. For water-based screen printing, meshes up to only 195 and lower are used because these screen sizes will act as filters to prevent solid particles from passing through the screen.

Some manufacturers use digital printing for sustainable screen printing since these are observed to be more environmentally friendly. Digital printing methods do not require the usual materials used for water-based screen printing processes such as pallet adhesives, screens, and squeegees. Also, there is no need for setup, tear-down, and clean-up, which makes production faster and more efficient.

Organic screen printing is widely used for eco-friendly T-shirts and other apparels. Companies and other organizations that greatly support pro-environmental causes especially on global warming have done researches, studies and have conducted programs on how to help people understand more about the environmental risks of using non-biodegradable materials and chemicals such as conventional cotton and traditional printing inks. Water-based screen printing is one such accomplishment that these merchandising companies have done, but there are still a lot of projects that are moving towards that goal."

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