| Sustainability | Jaina Offset Team
Eco-Friendly Printing – Our Commitment to Sustainable Practices
Printing is a physical, resource-intensive industry. Paper, ink, water, chemicals, and energy are all consumed in the process of putting ink on a page. At Jaina Offset Printers, we believe it is our responsibility to minimise the environmental footprint of every job we handle — without compromising on quality.
Here is an honest look at how we approach sustainability at our Sahibabad facility.
1. Vegetable-Based and Soy Inks
Traditional petroleum-based inks release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during drying, which are harmful to workers and the environment. We use vegetable-based and soy-based inks wherever possible — particularly for long-run books, catalogues, and educational materials.
Vegetable-based inks are made from renewable crop oils (soy, linseed, corn). They have lower VOC emissions, are easier to de-ink during paper recycling, and produce excellent, vibrant print quality. The downside is they dry slightly slower than mineral inks — something our Heidelberg presses are calibrated to handle efficiently.
2. FSC-Certified and Responsibly Sourced Paper
Paper is the single largest consumable in offset printing. We source paper from mills that follow responsible forestry practices. When clients require it, we can specify FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) paper grades, ensuring the paper comes from sustainably managed forests.
FSC certification is increasingly required by corporate clients, international publishers, and NGOs. If your organisation has a sustainability mandate, let us know and we will source the appropriate certified stock.
3. Chemical-Free CTP (Computer-to-Plate) Pre-Press
Traditional film-based pre-press involved photographic chemicals including developers, fixers, and stop baths — all of which required careful disposal. Our Kodak CTP (Computer-to-Plate) system bypasses film entirely, eliminating the use of these chemicals from our pre-press workflow.
CTP plates are imaged directly from digital files, reducing waste, improving registration accuracy, and shortening the time between artwork approval and press-ready plates. It is a win for quality and for the environment.
4. Waste Minimisation on Press
Every print job generates makeready waste — sheets printed during setup before the press reaches colour stability. Our Heidelberg and KOMORI presses are equipped with CPC (Computer Print Control) colour management systems that reach colour stability faster than older machines, reducing waste paper significantly on every job.
Paper waste from trimming and bindery is segregated and sent to certified recycling partners. We aim for zero landfill from paper waste.
5. Alcohol-Free and Low-IPA Fountain Solutions
Offset lithography traditionally uses isopropyl alcohol (IPA) in the dampening solution to help separate ink from non-image areas. IPA is a VOC that evaporates into the pressroom air. We have progressively moved towards alcohol-free or low-IPA fountain solutions on our presses, reducing airborne VOC emissions and improving the working environment for our press operators.
6. Energy Efficiency
Our 30,000 sq.ft facility uses LED lighting throughout production areas and offices. Our press room machinery is regularly serviced to ensure it operates at peak efficiency — reducing energy consumption per impression.
We are actively exploring solar energy options for our facility as part of a longer-term sustainability roadmap.
What You Can Do as a Client
Sustainability in printing is a shared responsibility. Here are a few ways clients can help:
- Print what you need: Avoid large over-runs. We can help you plan quantities carefully.
- Choose lighter paper: Thinner paper stocks reduce weight, shipping costs, and raw material use without sacrificing print quality.
- Request FSC paper: Especially for corporate reports, books, and internationally distributed materials.
- Opt for water-based coatings: Where a coating is required, water-based UV coatings are more recyclable than solvent-based alternatives.
We are happy to discuss the most environmentally responsible options for your specific project. Contact our team for a sustainability-focused print consultation.