Sustainable Inks for Packaging: Vegetable, Water-Based and Low-VOC Printing

Sustainable packaging should extend to the inks on it. Vegetable-based inks use renewable oils instead of petroleum, water-based inks cut solvent use, and low-VOC inks reduce volatile organic compounds that harm air quality and recyclability. Choosing these inks keeps the whole package — substrate and print — aligned with a brand's sustainability claims.

The Scenario: Ink undermines the package

Ink sustainability faces three issues:

Pain Points

• Petroleum- and solvent-based inks add VOCs and hurt recyclability;
• A "green" substrate printed with toxic ink contradicts the package's message;
• Ink choice affects both worker safety and end-of-life recyclability.

The Solution: Three sustainable-ink solutions

Green printing works three ways:

1. Vegetable-based inks Renewable oils replace petroleum, reducing reliance on fossil feedstocks.

2. Water-based inks Water replaces solvents, cutting emissions and improving safety.

3. Low-VOC formulations Low-VOC inks reduce volatile organic compounds, aiding air quality and recycling.

The Result: Printing that matches the package

With sustainable inks, the whole package — board and print — aligns with the brand's environmental claims.