As the printing industry evolves, gravure printing is making strides toward greater environmental responsibility. Here are a few ways gravure reduces its environmental impact:
- Reuse Cylinder Bases: Old designs get cut off the cylinder base, and new designs are engraved onto it. A cylinder base can be reused almost indefinitely, making it a valuable asset rather than a consumable.
- Recycle Copper: Engravers use a lathe to remove copper from used cylinders, and they recycle the valuable metal to reduce waste.
- Print gravure for long print runs: Gravure cylinders’ hard chrome stands up to long print runs, allowing printers to produce high volumes without replacing printing plates.
- Use water-based inks: Printers use water-based inks for lower volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions compared to solvent-based alternatives.
- Capture and reuse solvents: Systems that capture and recycle solvents from solvent-based inks significantly reduce waste and emissions.
- Recycle old cylinder bases: When it’s finally time to say goodbye to an old cylinder base, the steel is recycled.
By adopting these practices and many more, gravure printing is moving towards a more sustainable future while maintaining high-quality output.
Embracing eco-friendly initiatives not only benefits the environment but can also enhance brand reputation and customer loyalty.