Most commercial printing still uses petroleum-based inks. Here is why vegetable-based inks are a better choice.
When you think about eco printing, paper often comes to mind first. But the ink matters equally — and is often overlooked.
What are they?
Vegetable-based inks replace petroleum-derived oils with oils from renewable sources — soya, linseed, canola or corn are most common.
Why they matter
Petroleum-based inks release volatile organic compounds during drying. These contribute to air pollution and can harm print workers. Vegetable-based inks have lower VOC emissions and are easier to remove during paper recycling — meaning more recycling cycles.
How to specify them
Simply ask your supplier for vegetable-based or soy-based inks and confirm this on your order. At printing.uk, you can specify ink type when submitting a quote request.
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