Inks

Alternative	Applications	P2 Benefits	Operational Advantages	Operational Disadvantages	Cost	Product Quality	Limitations
Vegetable Oil Heatset Inks	Lithographic web presses	Reduced VOC emissions and worker exposure to petroleum oils	Less ink build-up; greater stability; increased flexibility	Slower drying time; poor drying can result in set-off, marking and poor rub resistance	No capital cost; ink cost can be 5%-8% higher	Similar quality	Heatset requirements limit replacement of petroleum oils; ink dryer contributes to VOC emissions; ink waste may still be hazardous
Vegetable Oil Non-heatset Inks	Lithographic non-heatset web and sheet-fed presses	Reduced VOC emissions and worker exposure to petroleum oils	Can provide better print quality, brighter colors, better pickup and transfer	Slower drying time	No capital cost; ink cost slightly higher	Similar quality; brighter colors and improved clarity	Usually some petroleum oils; ink waste may still be hazardous
Vegetable Oil Newspaper Inks	Lithographic web presses	Reduced VOC emissions and worker exposure to petroleum oils; 100% replacement o petroleum oils possible	Better color reproduction; better color control; less rub-off; less tendency to build up or skin over; greater stability; smoother flow; better coverage; greater ink-water balance parameters permit greater flexibility	Usually slower drying time	No capital cost; higher ink cost may be offset by reduced newsprint spoilage	Higher quality color printing; similar quality black printing	May contain some petroleum oils; ink waste may still be hazardous
Vegetable Oil Form Inks	Lithographic non-heatset web presses	Reduced VOC emissions and worker exposure to petroleum oils	Smoother flow; better coverage	Slower drying time	Slightly higher ink cost	Higher quality color printing	May contain petroleum oils; ink waste may still be hazardous
UV Curable Inks	Lithographic web and sheet-fed presses	No ink-derived VOC emissions or worker exposure to petroleum oil; reduced process waste	No ink drying on press reduces frequency of press cleaning; rapid curing; no set-off; no need for ventilation of printed sheets		Capital equipment cost; high ink cost; lower energy use than thermal drying; increased productivity	Good gloss and durability; print quality may be less clear; possible adhesion problems on some materials (aluminum, steel, some plastic	Workers must be protected from UV light; some toxic chemicals in inks; may cause skin sensitivity; ventilation needed to reduce ozone buildup; paper difficult to recycle
EB Curable Inks	Lithographic web and sheet-fed presses	No ink-derived VOC emissions or worker exposure to petroleum oil; reduced process waste	No ink drying on press reduces frequency of press cleaning; rapid curing; no set-off; no need for ventilation of printed sheets		Capital cost; considerably higher ink cost	Print quality less clear	Workers must be protected from EB light; some toxic chemicals in inks; may cause skin sensitivity; often degrade paper; paper difficult to recycle
Water-Based Inks	Flexographic and gravure presses	Little or no ink-derived VOC emissions or worker exposure to alcohol; replacement of solvent-based cleaners and fountain solutions with safer substitutes	Hold color and viscosity longer during press runs; more coverage per pound of ink; reduces the need for make-up solvent during printing	More frequent equipment cleaning; less forgiving of equipment imperfections, may cause paper curl	May require new capital equipment; greater energy use; reduced hazardous waste disposal and liability costs	Similar quality with new equipment; low ink gloss on porous substrates	May contain low level of solvent; ink waste may still be hazardous; greater energy use for drying

Shown here is a chart, which explains the advantages and disadvantages of different inks, it also explains the costs of different inks. Reading the table is also shows some of the hazards which are involved for workers who create the inks. For my packaging if printed I would consider using vegetable inks, as they are more eco friendly.