The Environmental Impact of Digital Vs. Lithographic Printing

Digital printing and lithographic printing, commonly referred to as litho print, are the two primary methods used in the modern printing industry. As concerns about the environment continue to escalate, it’s important to evaluate the eco-impact of both techniques. We will examine the sustainability of digital printing and lithographic printing, with an aim to discern which is more environmentally friendly.

Digital Printing: A Low-Volume Green Solution

Digital printing technology offers multiple environmental benefits. Unlike traditional printing methods, digital printing requires no plates, resulting in less waste and lower carbon footprints.

The digital printing process relies heavily on electronic files and digital colour production, resulting in reduced paper waste. Moreover, with on-demand printing, the production is only as per requirement, minimizing paper and ink wastage.

In digital printing, the use of solvents is practically negligible, making it safer for both humans and the environment. Water-based inks used in digital printing, apart from delivering vibrant colours, are eco-friendlier than petroleum-based inks used in other methods.

However, digital printing does consume energy. Printers, servers, and computers involved in the process need electricity to run. Also, though technology is advancing rapidly, digital printing might not be as efficient for long-run, high-volume print jobs.

Lithographic Printing: High-Volume Efficiency

Lithographic printing, based on the principle that oil and water do not mix, remains the go-to choose for long-run, high-quality print jobs. Litho print can handle large volumes efficiently and offers unparalleled image quality. But what about its environmental impact?

Historically, lithographic printing has been associated with substantial waste, particularly chemical and water waste. The process traditionally required plates to be created, which led to chemical waste, and the inks used were often petroleum-based, posing potential environmental hazards.

Modern lithographic print methods, however, have started adopting greener practices. Plates are now often made from recycled aluminium, and many lithographic printers are opting for vegetable-based inks. The industry is also adopting waterless printing technologies to reduce water wastage.

While these developments make lithographic printing more eco-friendly than it used to be, it’s essential to acknowledge that energy consumption is high in this method due to the size and operation of lithographic printers.

Digital Printing vs Lithographic Printing: An Environmental Showdown

Now that we’ve examined both digital printing and lithographic printing, it’s time to draw a comparison. On one hand, digital printing boasts low waste production, negligible solvent use, and water-based inks. On the other hand, lithographic printing, while traditionally less eco-friendly, has made strides in adopting greener practices, with the use of recycled materials and vegetable-based inks.

From a waste production perspective, digital printing seems to have an edge, given its on-demand nature and electronic base. However, the energy consumption of digital printing cannot be overlooked.
Lithographic printing, despite its higher initial waste and energy consumption, can be more environmentally efficient for long-run printing. This is due to the economies of scale — the impact per printed unit decreases significantly with volume, thus balancing out its initial environmental cost for large volume jobs.

Therefore, the environmental impact of digital printing vs lithographic printing is not a clear-cut comparison. It significantly depends on the specific context — volume, frequency, and quality of the print jobs.

The Verdict: Context is Key

When deciding between digital printing and lithographic printing from an environmental standpoint, the answer lies in the specifics of the print job. For short-run, customized print tasks, digital printing appears to be the greener choice, offering a lower environmental impact per unit.

However, for large volume, high-quality print jobs, lithographic printing, especially when using modern, greener technologies, can potentially be the eco-friendlier option due to the economies of scale.
Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the printing industry and consumers to make environmentally conscious choices. Opting for printers that use eco-friendly inks, recycled materials, and efficient energy practices can help reduce the environmental impact, irrespective of whether the print method is digital or lithographic.

Step Forward with CDP

It’s clear that both digital printing and lithographic printing have their own environmental pros and cons. The evolution of both technologies towards more sustainable practices is heartening. However, our efforts toward achieving a greener planet don’t stop here. As technology advances, we must continue to innovate and adopt sustainable printing practices to minimize our environmental impact. At CDP, we do just that. Contact us today to take a step towards a better future.