{"id":866,"date":"2026-10-30T10:41:07","date_gmt":"2026-10-30T10:41:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenerprinter.com\/blog\/?p=866"},"modified":"2026-10-30T10:41:49","modified_gmt":"2026-10-30T10:41:49","slug":"soy-ink-vs-traditional-ink","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenerprinter.com\/blog\/soy-ink-vs-traditional-ink\/","title":{"rendered":"Soy Ink vs. Traditional Ink: What\u2019s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What Is Traditional Ink?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional printing ink is petroleum-based. It became the industry standard because it\u2019s inexpensive and dries quickly, which keeps presses moving. The tradeoffs are that it relies on a non-renewable resource and releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as it dries. VOCs contribute to air pollution and are one reason sustainability-focused printers like Greenerprinter have looked for alternatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Soy Ink?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Soy ink is a type of vegetable-based ink that swaps much of the petroleum content for soybean oil, which is then blended with pigments, resins, and waxes. It\u2019s a renewable, plant-based alternative that\u2019s been used for decades. Newspapers adopted it early, and about one-third of about 10,000 newspapers<\/a> in the US use soy-based ink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to know that \u201csoy ink\u201d doesn\u2019t mean the ink is made entirely of soy. Industry labeling only requires a minimum amount of soy oil, and that minimum varies by ink type. Our team uses soy and vegetable-based inks and water-based coatings to ensure our products are as green as possible without sacrificing quality.<\/p>\n\n\n

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What Soy Ink Can and Can\u2019t Do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Soy ink is a good option, but it isn\u2019t a cure-all. Most soy inks still contain some petroleum-based components, with the minimum percentage of vegetable content replacing petroleum varying by ink type. For example, the American Soybean Association recommends that black news inks contain at least 40% soy oil, but heat-set inks may only need a minimum of 7%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The government of the District of Columbia<\/a> has determined that vegetable-based inks are generally less toxic than petroleum-based inks and release fewer VOCs into the environment. Soy and vegetable-based inks are also typically more recyclable<\/a> and significantly more biodegradable than traditional inks. While even the best soy ink isn\u2019t considered 100% biodegradable, it breaks down twice as well as traditional inks, which makes it a no-brainer for compostable packaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Soy Ink Shows Up in Our Products<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every order we print combines the most environmentally-friendly ink that\u2019s appropriate for your project with recycled, FSC-certified paper and carbon-neutral shipping. You\u2019ll find that combination throughout our lineup, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n