About Vegetable-Based Ink

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Vegetable-based printing ink is made with vegetable oil, such as soybean or corn oil, as a substitute for petroleum. Vegetable-based inks significantly reduce the amount of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) released into the air during printing. When the Los Angeles Times switched to soy-based ink, they reduced their VOC emissions by 200 tons per year and won an air quality award from South Coast Air Quality Management District. While vegetable oils are a renewable resource, the pigment suspended in those oils is an often toxic ingredient for which there are few substitutes. Certain colors of ink, even vegetable-based ink, contain heavy-metal pigments like cadmium, barium, and copper, which are associated with various health hazards. If you choose colored ink, ask the printer for a color without heavy metals.

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Design Printing, your green partner®, is an award-winning Los Angeles printer specializing in green printing, packaging, multi-color offset, large format, signs and banners, digital, finishes, and binding. Excellent quality, customer service, with fast-turnaround and delivery including same day and next day turnaround.