“Green” Ink Isn’t Just a PMS Color!

There’s more to making your direct mail piece more eco-friendly than just the type of paper you choose.  Don’t forget to think about the ink!  Inks have varying levels of VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds.  The higher the VOC level, the more it contributes to health problems and air pollution.

Petroleum based inks have much higher VOC levels than soy, water or other vegetable-based inks.  There are, however, pros and cons to each.  Soy or vegetable-based inks are available in brighter colors and can be easier to recycle than petroleum inks.  But because of the lack of solvents in vegetable based inks, they tend to take longer to dry.

Given the choice between soy-based inks, vegetable-based inks, water-based inks … is one better than the other?  Well, it can depend on who you ask.  The use of soybeans has been up for debate – is it the most sustainable option?  Vegetable-based inks are at times said to be “more” environmentally friendly because they are not restricted to one particular crop.

Because the vast majority of our supplier partners already use environmentally friendly inks, you can utilize this option at no additional cost!  A safe claim to make when pointing out this sustainable fact on your direct mail pieces would be to refer to the inks as being “eco-friendly”, which covers all bases.