Today, more and more companies are looking to become more environmentally sustainable with their business practices. A common misconception is that printing is taxing on the environment (especially large format), but the realization is that with more technological advancements, large format printing can be green!

We will review the 3 most common sustainability practices within the large format market.

GREEN INKS

The most common traditional inks use solvents or eco-solvents (the latter being less environmentally friendly(, which mean they exude a cocktail of chemical emissions when they’re used. This is not good for our planet.

The good news is there are alternatives that printing companies can use like. UV-curing or water-based inks, which are far less harmful in terms of emissions. We are seeing these more commonly used within the printing industry.

There are also inks that are designed specifically to break down easily during recycling (which is particularly relevant for printing on paper and board). What’s notably helpful for print suppliers is how widely accessible these have become for use in some of the most popular print equipment.

GREEN PRINTERS

It isn’t just inks that have an impact on the environment, but the printers that actually use them. New print technology emerges every year, and while there has always been a spirit of innovation within the industry – finding ways to reduce print time, or improve quality – there has recently been a more notable push towards designing printers with sustainability in mind.

GREEN MATERIALS

Stacia Goodman Mosaics- Riverland Community College Wall Mural

Printing substrates-the things that actually get ‘printed on’ during a project – involved with large format print also play a role in sustainability.

In the past, many materials have been high in PVC. This is problematic, simply because the production, use, and disposal of PVC-based products involves heavily toxic, non biodegradable materials migrating into the environment.

Whilst PVC has presented a quick, easy, and affordable solution for printers, it’s not been a particularly green solution, but fortunately that’s changing.

Here are a list of 12 eco-friendly print materials we use.

• Bubble Board
• Card
• Di-Bond
• DISPA Board
• E -Flute
• Falcon board & Dufaylite
• Floor Media
• Foamex
• Green Cast Acrylic
• MDI
• PVC-free roll media
• Smart X
• Storm Board
• Uncoated paper

There we have it. Three ways you can go green within the large format market.

Sustainability is often something committed to in thought and word, but seldom carried out and measured — our goal at Bolger is to change that. By caring for our immediate surroundings, we aspire to affect the wider world.

Looking for a print partner for your next large format project? Contact our print experts today.