They are all fairly similar in terms of environmental impact on the production stage. All the materials used in all methods are polymer (plastic) based, and these materials are not recyclable as far as I know. However, clothes are not single use items(ie supermarket bags), and every time you wash your t-shirt you are basically recycling it. Based on this fact, plastisol is probably the most environmentally friendly option, because it can last for decades, and more washes than the garment it is printed on can handle.
Environmental impact of various printing methods
A customer was asking me, wrt to screen printing vs vinyl... which was more environmentally friendly.
Like many questions in this biz, there is no simple answer. A single vinyl shirt would be better than a single screen printed shirt in this regard... ect. But would it be if you made 1000 (not that any sane person would make 1000 vinyls shirts.... but you get the idea)
Is there any such way to rank such things if people ask say for a 100< 100-500 and 500+ shirts?
Vinyl, sp, sublimation, uv prints, DTG...
Like many questions in this biz, there is no simple answer. A single vinyl shirt would be better than a single screen printed shirt in this regard... ect. But would it be if you made 1000 (not that any sane person would make 1000 vinyls shirts.... but you get the idea)
Is there any such way to rank such things if people ask say for a 100< 100-500 and 500+ shirts?
Vinyl, sp, sublimation, uv prints, DTG...
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
Longevity is a good point. Perhaps dye sub would win in this case?They are all fairly similar in terms of environmental impact on the production stage. All the materials used in all methods are polymer (plastic) based, and these materials are not recyclable as far as I know. However, clothes are not single use items(ie supermarket bags), and every time you wash your t-shirt you are basically recycling it. Based on this fact, plastisol is probably the most environmentally friendly option, because it can last for decades, and more washes than the garment it is printed on can handle.
I was initially just thinking along the lines of low run numbers wrt to making/cleaning a screen vs cutting vinyl.
Or when longevity is considered, even though discharge is nasty upfront, perhaps on a long enough timeline (and enough quantity to offset the screen process) it approaches dye sub.
Not really fussed about this, it was asked and I hadn't thought about ti that way before.
If one is to consider longevity, might one wish to include the enviromental impact the fabric it is printed upon (cotton vs. poly to begin with)
All transfer technology has a uniform eco footprint that stays roughly the same irrespective of volume produced.
Screen printing has an eco footprint that starts very high but decreases as volume increases. The same amount film, chemicals, ink left on the screen and tools, and water are used if you make on print or 10000. The only variables are ink and power use.
The life of the product is an important consideration when working out the eco footprint of the product, but we are in an industry where a lot of our output is disposable promotional product.
The real environmental impact comes from the garments themselves.
Cotton needs a massive amount of water to grow, and even more to process and dye the yarn. Polution created is far more than any printer will create per garment when printing.
Polyester is even worse. Polyester is PET plastic - the stuff they make drinks bottles from. The ultimate irony is fun runs banning the use of plastic bottles but giving away a PET t-shirt at the end.
If you are producing a product that is going to be used for years then the eco footprint is small. If it is going to be worn once then the eco cost is high
Screen printing has an eco footprint that starts very high but decreases as volume increases. The same amount film, chemicals, ink left on the screen and tools, and water are used if you make on print or 10000. The only variables are ink and power use.
The life of the product is an important consideration when working out the eco footprint of the product, but we are in an industry where a lot of our output is disposable promotional product.
The real environmental impact comes from the garments themselves.
Cotton needs a massive amount of water to grow, and even more to process and dye the yarn. Polution created is far more than any printer will create per garment when printing.
Polyester is even worse. Polyester is PET plastic - the stuff they make drinks bottles from. The ultimate irony is fun runs banning the use of plastic bottles but giving away a PET t-shirt at the end.
If you are producing a product that is going to be used for years then the eco footprint is small. If it is going to be worn once then the eco cost is high
Dye sublimation is very limiting printing method. T-shirts have to be 100% polyester, and white or light color. From an environmental point of view, polyester fabric could easily be (and often is) recycled plastic (PET) bottles.Longevity is a good point. Perhaps dye sub would win in this case?
I was initially just thinking along the lines of low run numbers wrt to making/cleaning a screen vs cutting vinyl.
Or when longevity is considered, even though discharge is nasty upfront, perhaps on a long enough timeline (and enough quantity to offset the screen process) it approaches dye sub.
Not really fussed about this, it was asked and I hadn't thought about ti that way before.
However, plastisol with its longevity, and its ability to print everything, is the clear winner for me.
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
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