ARTICLE: It's more than just the blank

Using eco-friendly fabrics to screen print on, such as organic cotton, is a great start. But it’s equally important to use low-impact screen printing methods for the decoration. Therefore, make sure you “think before you ink.”

INKS: Typical vs Eco-friendly
While it’s important to replace conventional cotton with organic, it’s equally important to use eco-friendly inks and dyes. The most common ink used for screen printing has been plastisol for many years. Today, many screen printers are using more water-based inks because traditional plastisol inks have contained Polyvinyl Chlorides (PVC’s), among other chemicals and toxins. Many will make the argument that use of water-based inks alone solves all the environmental issues and are better than traditional inks such as plastisol. In many ways this can be true, but we feel it’s important to understand that improper handling of even water-based ink can be environmentally harmful. We always strive to use the most eco-friendly screen printing ink and process possible for each application. Additionally, we have worked with suppliers to replace traditional cleaning solutions and screen printing components with environmentally-friendly and biodegradable alternatives.

For more information on eco-friendly blanks and screen printing, or to place your custom printed order, please contact us right away! Thank you for considering Earth Friendly Apparel.