Signs & Signage News – Green, recyclable banners

The sign industry is making great strides towards more environmentally friendly materials and products. Until recently, the components of a banner were far from recyclable – the inks used in large-format digital printing are solvent based and banner materials contain PVC.  

HP broke the green-ink barrier with their L25500 latex printer. This technology was introduced in the US in Dec 2009 but has been used in Europe for over 5 years. Latex inks are 100% eco-friendly and recyclable. They are safe enough to use in a hospital room! There are no VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions like solvent inks have. The colors of these inks are saturated (vibrant) and provide far better “flesh-tones” than solvent inks. They are equally fade-resistant and durable (scratch-resistant).

Many manufacturers are beginning to introduce banner materials that are PVC-free (polyvinyl cloride). HP has again been the leader in producing green-media for digital printing and in their recycling program. HP’s HDPE (high density polyethelene) reinforced banner material reduces a banner’s carbon footprint by about two-thirds. The material is lighter – less material is used in production and it can reduce transportation costs by about half. The HDPE reinforced banner material is eligible for HP’s media take-back recycling program in the US, Europe, and Canada. State-of-the art HP processes ensure that banner material is recycled in a way that conserves resources.

Spot-On Signs & Graphics uses the HP L25500 printer and latex inks in all our large-format printing – banners, posters, vehicle wraps, and signs. We offer green alternatives for many of the medias / substrates commonly used. We are constantly watching for new solutions for our environmentally concious customers. Our latest find was a bamboo banner stand!