Digital printing has transformed how we produce everything from art prints to marketing materials. But how does it measure up when it comes to sustainability?
While it can reduce waste and energy use in some areas, digital printing also raises questions about materials, inks, and end-of-life recycling.
In this guide, we break down the four factors that determine how eco-friendly digital printing really is. You’ll learn where digital printing can fall short, and the smarter choices that businesses like Print Frame Send make to minimise their digital printing impact.
1. Energy Use in Digital Printing
When it comes to sustainability, energy use is one of the biggest factors to consider. Digital printing is often more energy-efficient for small or on-demand jobs because it doesn’t require printing plates or long setup times. This means less energy is wasted before the first print even begins.
For large-scale runs, traditional offset methods can sometimes be more efficient overall, since setup energy is spread over thousands of copies. But for personalised, short-batch, or one-off pieces, like professionally printed art or photos, digital printing usually has the advantage.
Choosing a digital printing business with modern printers such as advanced dye-sublimation and high-resolution inkjet models reduces energy consumption. They offer faster warm-up times, precision ink transfer, and optimised print heads, all of which make a noticeable difference to the footprint of your project.
2. Ink and Chemical Impact
The type of ink used in digital printing plays a major role in its environmental footprint. Many older solvent-based inks release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, which can be harmful to both people and the planet.
Today, high-quality digital printing often uses water-based, UV-curable, or eco-solvent inks that dramatically reduce or eliminate VOC emissions. These modern inks not only perform well on a variety of surfaces but also require less energy to cure or dry, further lowering environmental impact.
Choosing a printer that uses non-toxic, low-emission inks is one of the easiest ways to make your project more sustainable without sacrificing quality.
3. Waste Reduction in Digital Printing
One of digital printing’s biggest sustainability wins is its ability to reduce overproduction. Traditional printing often requires high minimum runs to be cost-effective, leading to excess stock that might never be used. Those leftovers often end up in a landfill.
With digital printing, you can produce exactly what you need, whether it’s one copy or a short batch, without sacrificing quality. This on-demand approach avoids wasted materials, storage costs, and the environmental toll of creating products that no one will use.
4. Materials and Resources in Digital Printing
The sustainability of digital printing doesn’t just come down to the process; it’s also about what you print on. The choice of paper, canvas, metal, or timber can have a major impact on the overall footprint of the digital printing process.
Opting for recycled, FSC-certified, or sustainably sourced materials helps reduce environmental harm. The same goes for minimising offcuts and ensuring any waste is properly recycled. For metal and timber, this means working with suppliers who can verify ethical sourcing and efficient use of raw materials.
What Sustainable Digital Printing Efforts Look Like
Sustainable digital printing can look very different depending on the business. Some focus on reducing energy consumption while others work to minimise waste in production, but the most effective strategies combine all the factors listed above to create real, measurable impact.
For example, at Print Frame Send, sustainability is part of how we work every day. Our approach blends smart design choices, responsible sourcing, and efficient production methods to minimise environmental impact without compromising on quality.
Every timber frame is crafted from certified sustainable suppliers, and our HD metal prints come in 3 particular sizes, thoughtfully picked to match raw sheet dimensions, meaning no unnecessary offcuts or wasted materials.
Plus, we only use the highest quality printing technology and inks to deliver energy-efficient designs for our customers that care about sustainability like us.
No matter where you print, choosing providers who prioritise sustainable materials, efficient production, and responsible waste management is key to making digital printing more eco-friendly.
Bring Your Vision to Life Sustainably with Print Frame Send
Choosing sustainable digital printing doesn’t have to mean compromising on quality. At Print Frame Send, every order is produced on demand using our advanced inkjet & dye sublimation printers, sustainable materials, and sizing that eliminates unnecessary waste.
Whether you’re printing a one-off piece for your home or multiple artworks for a project, we make the process easy. Simply upload your design, choose your print and frame or HD metal print size, and we’ll print, frame, and deliver it to your door, all with the care and precision that sustainable printing demands.
Order your next print today and enjoy professional results that last, or contact us online to learn more.
