By Melissa Donovan
Part 3 of 4
Environmental stewards promote environmentally friendly practices in the work place. In the graphic arts, many steps are being taken to make wide format printing more sustainable, from the ink sets used to how hardware is manufactured, the media choices made, and ultimately the capability to recycle finished graphics at the end of their life.
In Motion
There are many ways to achieve sustainable practices in a print shop.
One way, look to hardware manufacturers with environmental standards. “At swissQprint, we have long held a belief that reducing the total carbon footprint, through great sourcing practices and smart design and build, is the first major step. This includes sourcing over 90 percent of our machine components locally, a more than 50 percent energy independent manufacturing plant, environmentally friendly inks, and very low energy consumption,” states Erik Norman, president, swissQprint America.
Many manufacturers’ newest printers are equipped with eco-friendly features. For example, energy efficiency is improved by optimizing UV/LED lamp output and introducing standby modes on certain machines. Equipment is also designed with longer lifecycle components and modular upgrades to reduce e-waste, points out Adam J. Tourville, channel manager, Fluid Color.
The finishing end is also focused on change. “Kongsberg PCS is focused on reducing energy consumption, increasing machine durability, and enabling the use of eco-friendly materials. As such, our cutting systems are built for longevity, extending the life of the product, and reducing the need for material to build replacement products,” says David Preskett, VP EMEA & APAC, Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems (PCS).
Longevity is a term that is so important here, working with equipment designed for a longer lifespan translates to less waste. “Zünd has always put tremendous emphasis on building high-precision, high-quality, long-lasting equipment with most components originating from regional suppliers, creating an extremely short and reliable supply chain. Many of the workflow components Zünd offers are designed to maximize material utilization and minimize waste with efficient nesting and reliable cut quality. The well-known modularity and upgradability of Zünd cutters extends the equipment lifespan, contributing even more to sustainability, which has been part of Zünd’s corporate philosophy for decades,” explains Martin Thornton, executive sales manager, Zund America, Inc.
“With respect to more sustainability, the SheerKote liquid coater provides our customers with a 90 percent energy savings over traditional UV arc liquid coaters. Additional advantages are there are zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released into the environment and UV LED lamps perform at 50 percent lower CO₂ emissions,” shares Brian Buisker, president, Advanced Greig Laminators, Inc.
Adapting ink sets with sustainability in mind are another option.
Traditional solvent-based inks release VOCs, which contributed to air pollution, so the last decade or so there has been a big push to “greener” ink sets. “Water-based or UV-curable inks emit fewer pollutants and are safer for both workers and the environment. These inks are also often compatible with recyclable substrates, further enhancing sustainability efforts,” notes Nick Dinunzio, director of business development, Alpina Manufacturing, LLC.
“Ink manufacturers are shifting to better health profile chemicals for the operators; new chemicals are constantly being developed for increased characteristics and safer handling,” says Tourville.
Mutoh America, Inc. actively leads sustainability efforts. Its ink formulations already feature some of the lowest Substances of Very High Concern or SVHCs in the industry. Soon, it plans to introduce a new ink technology to the U.S. market that sets a new benchmark for both user and environmental safety, according to Emilio Rangel and Tommy Simmering, product managers, Mutoh America, Inc.
“Across the industry, there’s increasing pressure, particularly from the European market and major global brands, for more sustainable solutions in areas like product packaging, point of purchase signage, store and hospitality décor, and other public-facing applications. In response, Mutoh has taken significant steps, including earning GREENGUARD UL Gold and CPSIA certifications for many of our ink technologies, ensuring they meet rigorous health and environmental standards,” add Rangel and Simmering.
Eco-Minded Media
Green media receives a lot of attention when sustainability is discussed. There are many environmentally friendly substrates to consider—fabric, paper, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, and material containing post-consumer recycled content.
“In respect to wide format substrates, flexible adhesive-backed films have traditionally been PVC-based due to a combination of performance and durability, cost, and versatility. Material manufacturers and coaters continue to cast an ever-widening net to replace traditional PVC with more sustainable, environmentally friendly substrates. As demand for PVC-free materials continues to increase and more solutions are available than ever before, costs are coming down making the choice to work with these more sustainable, and, many times, more durable film an easier one,” explains Michelle Kempf, VP, sales & marketing, Continental Grafix USA, Inc.
One way sustainable films are being made is through recycled materials. For example, Lintec of America, Inc.’s ECO-2100 ZC recycled window film is crafted from 100 percent recycled PET resin. “This offers an eco-friendly alternative without compromising on quality or performance. The film utilizes post-consumer plastic bottles, aligning with eco-conscious initiatives and contributing to a reduction in plastic waste,” states James Halloran, VP, sales and marketing, Lintec.
“The production process of this film results in approximately 17.5 percent reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to Lintec’s previous models, supporting sustainability goals,” adds Halloran.
Alex Wixted, commercial innovation platform manager, Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions, believes “sustainable solutions have created a way to enhance graphic performance and ease of install while also supporting a sustainable future, and there is more of an interest in these products from consumers. As a film manufacturer, we are looking to expand PVC-free and solvent-free vinyl offerings, while exploring options for recyclability and reducing materials needed to manufacture the product without sacrificing performance.”
Avery Dennison recently launched DOL 7460 with ADReva Technology, a digital overlaminate film using PVC-free and solvent-free technology with superior conformability and durability. This product is best suited for hot, dry, and sunny environments where printed graphics receive an intense amount of UV exposure.
“Many print shops have set sustainability goals for 2025, and they’re looking for alternative options. We expanded our TenaciousTac line to include PVC-free choices that still offer the durability and performance print providers need,” admits Michael Richardson, business development manager – graphics media, Jessup Manufacturing Co.
Between their own business goals in terms of sustainability to regulatory requirements as well as end user expectations, there is growing demand for eco-friendly substrates. “In some cases, printers are required by clients to report material consumption at year-end by type, creating additional accountability,” adds Kempf.
“With growing awareness around environmental impact and increasing regulatory scrutiny, there’s a clear shift in customer behavior toward more sustainable and safer substrate options. Customers are adapting by actively seeking out eco-friendly materials that align with both their brand values and the expectations of environmentally conscious consumers,” shares a representative from Flexcon.
Jay Kroll, director of product education, General Formulations, argues that while there is increased interest in non-PVC and recyclable options, actual usage remains low. “The challenge is that non-PVC materials are still limited in their application range—often only suitable for flat, short-term signage with UV inks. As a result, more versatile PVC products continue to dominate, even among customers asking for alternatives.”
Post-Production Consideration
After a graphic is printed, applied/installed, and then up for the allotted amount of time—where does it go? Into a landfill—probably. It is admittedly still a challenge to responsibly dispose of a graphic, no matter if it is printed with sustainable materials.
“While recyclable materials can be more sustainable, the waste industry still needs to close the loop. Many times, it’s difficult to find a recycling facility that will accept the material. Blue bin recycling for many of these materials is still not possible,” admits Kempf.
What is being done to combat this? Well it starts from the top, with manufacturers playing a role. “Beaver Paper offers sustainable coated transfer papers that reduce water and energy consumption in the textile printing sector, which supports recycling initiatives for wastepaper and post-production materials,” shares Tobias Sternbeck, CEO, Beaver Paper & Graphic Media, Inc.
“Companies have developed comprehensive recycling programs, which allow for the recovery and recycling of graphics produced on their materials. This initiative not only diverts waste from landfills but also repurposes recycled materials into new products, promoting a circular economy,” adds Dinunzio.
Staying Smart
Sustainable practices aren’t something to ignore, they are becoming more accessible as manufacturers remain committed to creating goods in the most environmentally conscious way possible, while also offering products that are inherently green.
The last article in this four-part series looks at consolidation in the graphic arts and where marketshare leaders see it occurring.
Jul2025, Digital Output
