Soy ink is considered to be more environmentally friendly than traditional inks. The soybeans from which it is produced are a renewable resource. The product itself reduces hazardous air pollution arising from VOCs (volatile air compounds), the gases which are emitted into the air in the printing process, and which also occur when changing cleaners and solvents between printing runs
Other types of inks available on the market
Plastisol inks have two main ingredients; PVC resin and ‘plasticizer’. Plastisol ink will not dry at normal temperatures but must be ‘cured’ at around 300 to 330 degrees Fahrenheit. Plastisol ink is favoured for screen printing and can be toxic, although non-toxic premium brands are available.
Water-based inks are considered to have a lower environmental impact than petroleum-based inks. Water-based inks are often used in textile printing but are not suitable for all types of printing.
Vegetable inks made from canola oil, linseed oil or rice also have a lower environmental impact. A great deal of water is required to grow rice, leading to criticism of its use as an element of ink. Some company websites also report that vegetable oils produce less vibrant colours.
An innovative algae-based ink has been developed in recent years that can be used for flexographic and letterpress printing.