EcoPrintCo

Waterless offset printing
Waterless printing is a method of offset printing which is less environmentally
damaging than conventional lithographic printing. Traditionally, printing is a
huge consumer of resources, including chemicals, water and energy. Many
large presses can consume hundreds of thousands of water per year as part
of the normal printing process. Waterless printing takes advantage of modern
technology to reduce these environmental impacts. Notably, it uses Computer
to plate (CTP) technology and silicon plates to eliminate chemicals and water
all together. Many waterless printers also use Direct Imaging (DI) technology
and vegetable-based inks exclusively to further reduce resource use,
pollution and VOCs emissions. Waterless presses are currently in the
minority, although they are becoming more popular. Waterless presses are
also praised for their high quality colour reproduction, and the reduced paper
set-up waste for each job.

"Waterless printing does not use dampening solutions, which contain
alcohols or petroleum-based solvents. Such solutions contain more than 60%
volatile organic compounds, which contribute to smog. A waterless press
eliminates the need for up to 100,000 litres of water and 10,000 litres of alcohol
per year consumed by a typical mid-size printer