LifeWork - a Sustainable Screen Printing Co.

A large number of companies worldwide have already shifted from the traditional printing process to the more sustainable method since it leaves very little trace or amounts of environmentally unsafe wastes. Methods differ greatly with traditional and organic printing and most manufacturers nowadays prefer using the organic screen printing method in order to support pro-environment causes.

Screen printing has created concerns over the kind of inks used for its printing methods. However, they also give a better opportunity for using processes such as organic screen printing and employing environmentally sustainable materials. Although plastisol inks are commonly considered to be the most versatile inks for printing apparel, they are also noted to be the least sustainable material when used for screen printing. Plastisol inks are made with polyvinyl chloride resins. These non-natural materials do not easily break down into natural components that is why its sustainability has been questioned by pro-environment groups. On the positive side, plastisol inks can be handled in a wholly sustainable way since it has an extensive shelf life therefore creating very little post-production waste. Also, plastisol inks use systems such as closed-loop filtration for screen cleanups in order to manage any material that enters the environment.

Another approach is through the use of water-based inks. These eco-friendly inks are characteristically different in performance but every type is noted to be highly sustainable. There are limitations with regards to its performance that brings about advantages and disadvantages in using the water-based systems. Improvements have been made in water-based screen printing, but it still does not surpass the quality of traditional plastisol inks. Although water-based specialty inks are already available, these inks still cannot offer high density or gel prints and will impossibly be realized in the near future. Water-based inks are cured when water evaporates after its application. This means that water, including the elements that evaporate together with the water, comes in contact with the environment. Proper shop ventilation is a must during water-based screen printing in order to protect workers from inhaling substances that come with the evaporation process. Another reason why proper area ventilation is required is because curing water-based inks is not easy to control and it takes a longer time compared to the more common printing inks.

Although water-based inks works exceptionally well with a number of textile fabrics, it is best when used with sustainable materials such as fabrics that are made from organic materials—considering that organic screen printing was first created to eliminate the hazards of the more traditional screen printing inks. Organic materials like organic cotton, bamboo, and hemp are most popular when it comes to creating eco-friendly commodities such sustainable t-shirts and other apparels. More and more companies all over the globe employ the use of these products because being pro-environment is fast becoming the mainstream of our present generation. Likewise, pro-environment commodities are also turning into fashion statements not only for those who are already environmentally conscious but also for those who are only starting to be aware of the risks of using non-natural and nonbiodegradable materials.