Hi Rez Digital Solutions

Hi Rez Digital Solutions is now home to what I would argue is the world’s greenest, most ecologically friendly printing press.

Not because it runs earth friendly soy-based inks (which it does)

Not because it prints out beautiful full color prints on 100% recycled paper (which it can)

but because we purchased this press used from another shop that had already paid its carbon debt. We did this not because it was cheaper, but because of our commitment to the environment. Press manufacturers such as Heidelberg and Komori are constantly under pressure to to produce and sell new machines. Factory incentives would have made it very easy to install a new press. However, we could not justify the carbon footprint a new press would make when there are still fully functional presses ready to be run.

In addition, we invested in the latest platemaking technology. Today’s platemaking systems use a fraction of the chemicals used by systems just a few years old. Traditionally platemaking was one of the most environmentally hazardous steps in the printing process. Our platemaker greatly mitigates these hazards.

In the June 2008 issue, Wired Magazine summed up this philosophy well when they pointed out in their, “Inconvenient Truths: Get Ready to Rethink What It Means to Be Green,” article. Specifically, you would have to drive a Toyota Prius 100,000 miles to offset its carbon footprint versus buying a decade old car. Given most people only drive 65,000 a year and the battery of the Prius is gauged to last 7 years, the carbon footprint is never erased.

“Still, the comparison suggests a more sensible question. If a new Prius were placed head-to-head with a used car, would the Prius win? Don’t bet on it. Making a Prius consumes 113 million BTUs, according to sustainability engineer Pablo Päster. A single gallon of gas contains about 113,000 Btus, so Toyota’s green wonder guzzles the equivalent of 1,000 gallons before it clocks its first mile. A used car, on the other hand, starts with a significant advantage: The first owner has already paid off its carbon debt. Buy a decade-old Toyota Tercel, which gets a respectable 35 mpg, and the Prius will have to drive 100,000 miles to catch up”

So, take the carbon debt out of the equation, add in the eco-friendly platemaking system, multiply by soy-based inks and recycled paper and you have the formula for a printing press that rivals all peers for earth friendly.

Tags: green, printing //