Environmental Impact: Digital Print vs. Screen Print

Digital printing is a computer process that directly applies ink to a garment while screen printing pushes colors through a mesh screen one color at a time. Digital printing is a more recent method that research has proven to be more environmentally friendly. This is due to its ability to use significantly less water and energy while decreasing the amount of hazardous wastewater that is released into nearby waterways.

Screen Printing:

• The screens must go through a reclamation (cleaning) process using fresh water and chemicals
• Once cleaned, the combination of pollutants creates hazardous wastewater
• Treating wastewater is an energy consuming process
• Pigments within the water will disrupt photosynthesis of aquatic plants
• Dissolved oxygen levels will decrease—leaving marine life unable to survive
• Contaminated water can be a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses

Digital Printing:

• No screens that need to be cleaned
• No excess and/or wasted paste (minimum amount of ink is used and with great accuracy)
• Requires a routine clean that uses considerably less water
• Allows for on-demand printing and quicker time-to-market

Sungmin’s Digital Printing

In August 2020, “Sungmin purchased new, state of the art digital printing machines, that takes the print definition and ink accuracy to a new, unpredicted level. There is minimal waste, 100% color and printing accuracy and therefore a reduction in energy and water consumption”. Additionally, “Sungmin conforms to all restricted chemical legislations issued by Reach and they do not use any dyes with metal content or restricted substances”.

Sungmin is committed to sustainable production and has been awarded Blue Sign and Oeko-tex certifications for all of their printing inks being used. Their certifications are listed below:

• Oeko-tex certification for the use of PIGMENT printing inks and dyes
• Oeko-tex certification for the use of ACID printing inks and dyes
• Oeko-tex certification for the use of REACTIVE printing inks and dyes
• Certified in the first stage in the full Bluesign accreditation

Sungmin’s Bluesign Certified Inks

ORANGE GENESTA AC-F

MAGENTA GENESTA AC

MAGENTA GENESTA AC 3L

MAGENTA GENESTA AC I0L

YELLOW GENESTA AC-F

YELLOW GENESTA AC-F 3L

CYAN GENESTA AC

CYAN GENESTA AC 3L

ORANGE GENESTA AC-F 3L

ORANGE GENESTA AC-F I0L

RED GENESTA AC

RED GENESTA AC 3L

BLUE GENESTA AC

BLUE GENESTA AC 3L

BLUE GENESTA AC I0L

BLACK GENESTA AC-N

BLACK GENESTA AC-N 3L

BLACK GENESTA AC-N I0L

GREY GENESTA AC-N

GREY GENESTA AC-N 3L

GREY GENESTA AC-N I0L

Sources: Sungmin Textiles, Digital Textile Printing for Fast Fashion by Abid Omar, Print Debate: Digital or Screen by Nola Sarkisian-Miller, U.S. EPA, Sourcing Journal, Fibre2Fashion, Kornit Digital, Splash Jet