Nontoxic Inks

Water or biobased inks that do not require petroleum-based solvents

Inks are an important part of any custom packaging process. However, they can generate excess waste if not suited for a particular production process and if they end up in the environment or in a compost, they can potentially leech harmful chemical compounds. Just like other packaging materials, inks can be made from plants and/or certified compostable materials, rather than petroleum. It is important that the inks don’t compromise the end-of-life opportunity for the whole package. Alternative inks like water-based or UV-cured inks avoid the need for solvents, which means less toxic printing and lower carbon emissions. This sustainability tag indicates that the ink used is either plant based or certified compostable, or both.