Environmental benefits of DTG printing

For DTG products, we use Kornit Water-based and NeoPigment inks that are Oeko-Tex™ certified, which means they are safe to print on children’s clothing and reduce environmental waste. Kornit digital printers inks are non-hazardous, toxin-free, biodegradable, and contain no animal by-products. These inks provide a high washing colorfast AATCC rating of 4. Kornit printers generate almost zero wastewater and use less energy than standard industry printers, which lowers our carbon footprint. Here are some key advantages:

• Reduced Water Usage: Traditional screen printing requires significant amounts of water for preparing screens and cleaning. DTG printing, on the other hand, uses minimal water, primarily for pre-treating fabrics.
• Lower Chemical Usage: DTG printing uses water-based inks, which are less harmful to the environment than the plastisol inks used in screen printing. Plastisol inks contain PVC and phthalates, which can be toxic. Water-based inks are more eco-friendly and safer for both workers and the environment.
• Less Waste: Screen printing produces waste in the form of leftover ink, screens, and stencil materials. DTG printing is a digital process that allows for printing only the required amount, reducing waste.
• Energy Efficiency: DTG printing requires less energy compared to traditional printing methods. Screen printing involves multiple steps such as screen preparation, setup, and curing, all of which consume more energy. DTG printing is a streamlined, one-step process.
• On-Demand Printing: DTG allows for on-demand printing, meaning items are printed as needed. This reduces overproduction and inventory waste, which is common in traditional printing where bulk production is typical.
• Lower Carbon Footprint: The combination of reduced water usage, lower chemical emissions, less waste, and energy efficiency results in a lower overall carbon footprint for DTG printing.
• Non-Toxic Disposal: Water-based inks used in DTG printing are easier to dispose of safely. They do not contain the hazardous chemicals found in plastisol inks, making waste management more environmentally friendly.

Overall, DTG printing is a more sustainable and eco-friendly option for textile printing, contributing to a reduction in environmental impact in several significant ways.