The printing industry covers these major sub-sectors, which are defined by the type of printing process they use: Lithography (including sheetfed offset, heatset web offset and non-heatset web offset processes); screen printing; gravure printing; and flexography. Photo processing is common to all the subsectors.

The printing industry has many resources for cleaner production. Several US government programs promote cleaner production in the industry and provide extensive technical support. The trade associations are active in environmental issues and training. Many case studies and technical guides are available on line. There are many low-cost opportunities for cleaner production in the printing industry. Primary solutions include using computer-based photo processing, which eliminates most photoprocessing chemicals and wastes; switching to water-based inks, which can eliminate much solvent use; and recycling of waste inks and solvents. Perhaps the greatest challenge in this industry is marketing the cleaner production information available. Most printing companies are small and dispersed throughout communities, making it a challenge to reach them. Trade associations are therefore very important partners in cleaner production for this industry.

The table below lists solutions to reduce waste and pollution in printg. Company environmental programs should demonstrate that these options have been considered thoroughly. Direct links to online guides to printing pollution prevention follow the table.

Technical Guides to Cleaner Production

The Canadian Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse has well-described links to over 150 sources of cleaner production information for printers.

The Small Business Environmental Resource Center also has over 150 direct links to online guides and resources, by selecting Printing from the sector menu.

The Commercial Printing Industry Compliance and Pollution Prevention Workbook is a step-by-step guide.

The Environmental Compliance and Pollution Prevention Guide for Lithographic Printers is a good introduction with an extensive checklist of pollution prevention suggestions.

Environmental Self-Assessment for Lithographic Printers is a quick and easy checklist for determining environmental compliance and pollution prevention opportunities for commercial printers

A Guide for Screen Printers and A Guide for Photo Processors have pollution prevention suggestions and regulatory guidance.

The Environmental Choice for Lithography guideline identifies the general, product specific, and submission requirements which lithographic printing companies must meet in order for their services to bear the EcoLogo under the Environmental Choice Program.

The program also offers a guideline for printing inks:

The Printing chapter from the World Bank's Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook describes processes and cleaner production options

The EPA Profile of the Printing industry has extensive regulatory guidance, process descriptions and cleaner production solutions.

EPA has another Guide to Pollution Prevention for the Commercial Printing Industry

Major Sites Devoted to the Printing Industry and the Environment

The US EPA Design for the Environment (DfE) Program is working with the printing industry to identify cost-effective alternatives to existing products and processes that reduce risks to workers and the environment while maintaining or improving performance and product quality. There are subprojects on screen printing, lithography and flexography.

The EPA Common Sense Initiative for the Printing Industry focuses on innovative and cooperative business/government management of environmental issues in printing.

Printing Industry Associations

The Association for Suppliers of Printing and Publishing Technologies is a trade association specifically representing companies which manufacture or distribute equipment, systems, software, supplies and services used in printing, publishing and graphic communications.

The Digital Printing and Imaging Association serves all segments of the graphics industry; users, manufacturers and sellers, who share a basic common denominator: the use of digital printing technology.

Graphical Arts Technical Foundation provides information on printing technologies, upcoming conferences, workshops and other printing-specific information. The information is more consistent with providing technological advancements and process training rather than comprehensive environmental guidance.

National Association of Litho Clubs includes management, technical production and mechanical personnel who are associated with some branch of the graphic arts. The group provides a forum for educating and sharing of information among members and affiliates.

National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers, Inc. is a trade association that represents the US printing ink industry and provides direction in regulations and regulatory compliance.

National Association of Quick Printers has a comprehensive environmental health and safety manual that can be purchased through the organization.

Waterless Printing Association provides all the information a printer needs to know on waterless printing. The site is dedicated to "printing quality, productivity, and the environment."

Printing Industries of America, Inc. is the world's largest graphic arts trade association representing an industry with more than 1 million employees and $132.1 billion in sales annually. The PIA Web site provides information on printing processes and technologies. The site also has links to other Web sites and other sources of information.

U.S Screen Printing Institute is a commercial site for screen printers with information on trade shows, industry resources, the US Screen Printing Institute products, and access to an interactive chat session with other screen printers.

Contacts for the Printing Industries Association - This site provides contact phone numbers as well as tips on reducing hazardous waste.