Eco Friendly Printing

In today's environmentally-conscious world, bio-fuel, hybrid cars, recycling, and sustainable agriculture are becoming a necessity for our planet.  Eco-friendly printing evolved from the demand for a printing technique that is safe for the environment as well as for the consumer.  This eco-friendly process combines water based ink printing with natural fibers such as organic cotton, hemp and even recycled plastic bottles.

Water Base Printing vs. Plastisol Printing

Most textile printing companies use plastisol inks.  They are inexpensive, simple to use and durable.  Plastisol inks, however, contain PVC and phthalates that not only destroy the environment, but have also been linked to serious medical conditions including cancer, mental disorders, and infertility. The inks do not break down in landfills and are made from petrolium, a non-renewable resource.  The clean up process for these inks also requires the use of harmful solvents and petrolium based chemicals.  (The eco-friendly alternative process we offer is 100% CHEMICAL FREE)

Water based inks contain neither PVC or phthalates making them an environmentally friendly alternative. The inks are non-toxic, lead-free and do not contain any heavy metals. As such, they are safe for use on infant clothing and underwear. Unlike plastisols, water based inks do not contain ozone-depleting chemicals such as CFC's and HCFC's, aromatic hydrocarbons or other volatile solvents. Best of all, instead of harmful chemicals and solvents, water based inks safely clean up with water, a natural and renewable resource. 

Plasitsol Ink Facts

Plastisol ink is a liquefied (PVC) polyvinyl chloride. Reigning supreme as the most environmentally damaging plastic, PVC's production, use, and disposal results in the release of toxic, chlorine-based chemicals that react with other chemicals to create harmful by-products such as dioxin, PCBs, hexachlorobenzene, acidic gases, and more. These by-products are destroying our water, air and, enviroment. Additionally, PVC comes from non-renewable fossil fuels and lethal chlorine gas and its creation involves the transportation of dangerous poisonous explosive materials and the creation of toxic waste. This waste is released while screen printers print and cure the plastisol ink — and it doesn't stop there. Plastisol ink continues to leak toxins when exposed to a radiant heat source such as a house hold dryer or even sunlight.

Furthermore, using plastisol ink requires most printers to use petroleum based solvents for clean up. Petroleum is also a non-renewable resource that endangers our air, our health, our water and the earth's ozone. Water based printing offers a safe alternative to plastisol printing.

Acting on Protecting our Planet

Purchasing water based printed products is the first step in contributeing to the movement to protect our planet.

At Stitch by Stitch, we are proud to be a part of the movement to save the Earth. By choosing an chemical free printing process, you are taking a step in the right direction.