This section describes the working process of printing and specifically that of flexographic printing. Input/Output process diagrams are provided. Tables provide typical material inputs and waste outputs based on the production process and individual departments commonly found in a flexographic printing operation.
PREPRESS - Imaging Process
Inputs | Waste Outputs | ||
Film | Exposed film, waste and out-of-date film | ||
Paper | Scrap paper | ||
Markers and Sprays | Air vapors and odors | ||
Film Developer | Spent film developer | ||
Film Developing Fixer | Spent film developing fixer and the silver from the film | ||
Wash Water | Used rinse water containing film developer & fixer | ||
Shop towels and other wipers | Rags containing solvents, waste paper from disposable towels | ||
Cleaning Solutions | Waste solvents, air vapors, and odors | ||
Chemical Storage | Empty chemical containers, full containers with the potential to spill |
PREPRESS - Platemaking Process
Inputs | Waste Outputs | ||
Rubber, Neoprene, Nitrile, Buna-n Plates | Damaged or unusable plates, waste trim materials, paper and plastic waste, waste silver halides from silver master plates | ||
Water | Contaminated process wash water | ||
Plate Processing Solvent or Water | Waste plate processing (washout) solvent or water |
PRODUCTION - Printing Process
Inputs | Waste Outputs | ||
Ink | Waste ink, hazardous waste, non-hazardous special waste (some states), air emissions | ||
Water | Waste water used in cleaning, thinning inks (water based only) | ||
Paper | Off-quality specification printed material, trim scrap and make-ready waste paper | ||
Plates | Outdated or exhausted impression plates | ||
Solvents | Waste and dirty solvents, hazardous waste, non-hazardous special waste (some states), air emissions | ||
Shop Towels | Rags containing inks, solvent, oils and grease, waste paper from disposable towels. Hazardous solid waste, non-hazardous special waste (some states) |
FINISHING - Post Press Operations
Inputs | Waste Outputs | ||
Paper | Reject prints and trim scrap | ||
Adhesives/Glue | Overspill and emissions | ||
Shipping Boxes | Used boxes, shipping materials | ||
Shop Towels | Rags containing inks, solvent, oils and grease, waste paper from disposable towels, hazardous solid waste, non-hazardous special waste (some states) | ||
Water | Waste wash water containing adhesives and solvents, hazardous liquid waste, non-hazardous special waste (some states), non-hazardous process waste | ||
Solvents | Waste and dirty solvents, hazardous waste, non-hazardous special waste (some states), air emissions |