In the world of printing, the choice of ink is not just about aesthetics but also about environmental responsibility. Vegan-friendly inks offer a sustainable alternative, contributing to greener creative projects and reducing harm to the environment. This is particularly relevant in the context of printing on cotton bags, where the choice of ink can make a significant difference.
For those new to the process of printing on bags, finding a reliable printer is essential. Companies like BIDBI specialize in printing tote bags according to custom specifications while prioritizing eco-friendly practices. This includes using vegan inks, which not only produce visually appealing results but also align with ethical and environmental values.
Understanding the harmful effects of non-vegan inks is crucial. Conventional inks often contain petroleum oil-based components, microplastics, glycerine derived from animal fat, bone chars, and gelatine. Some may even include beetle shellac, obtained from crushed beetles, for color enhancement. Additionally, heavy metals such as lead and mercury are common ingredients in non-vegan inks.
These harmful substances not only pose risks to the environment but also hinder the biodegradation process of printed products. By contrast, vegan and eco-friendly inks, like those used by BIDBI, promote sustainable practices and contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet. From day one, BIDBI has prioritized the use of such inks, demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship and ethical printing practices.
What are vegan inks?
Eco-friendly water-based inks do not contain hazardous chemicals and do not pose a threat to the end buyer. In addition to this, water-based inks do not contain any PVC or phthalates. In most cases, when soy or water-based inks dry, they emit very few (sometimes zero) VOCs, which are compounds of carbon.
The European Commission reports that offset printing consumes around three million tons of hydrocarbon-based inks and chemicals every year. These inks and chemicals release VOCs that can contribute to global warming and be harmful to the health of print workers if not properly managed.
Print shops that have transitioned to soy or water-based inks typically report much better air quality and working conditions for their employees. Additional VOCs can be released when presses are washed between print runs. Petroleum-based inks require harsher solvents and more VOCs are released. Whereas water-based and vegan printer inks can be cleaned from machinery with less water and solvent.
MagnaPrint inks
At BIDBI we use MagnaPrint inks for all of our screen-printed bags. MagnaColours is known as one of the most innovative companies for producing screen printing inks.
MagnaPrint inks are environmentally sustainable and we screen print our bags with ISO 14001 (International Environmental Standards) water-based inks to reduce the negative impacts on the environment. MagnaColours produce the most environmentally sensitive inks that are free of harmful toxins and chemicals.
They are supplied in 120kg drums which are then returned to the manufacturer to be refilled meaning that waste plastic is produced from the containers. In addition, almost zero wastage is produced due to the pigment-based mixing system, meaning mixes can be achieved with much higher accuracy.
Read our Blog explaining our vegan inks more in-depth here
Conclusion
With more than a decade of experience in eco-friendly cotton bag printing, we’re highly aware of the positive impact environmentally responsible bag printing has on the environment. We live in an age of increasingly conscious consumerism. People are looking to buy less and are investing in quality over quantity. If you are printing cotton tote bags for resale, being able to market them as an eco-friendly and ethical choice helps to remove a barrier to purchasing for your future customers.
There’s nothing we love more than talking to our wonderful customers. If you’d like a little more information on our eco-friendly inks and cotton tote bags then we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with our friendly team here or you can visit our Instagram and say hello!
