POST PRESS OPERATIONS

After printing there are a number of operations that may be required before the final product is ready.  Some of these operations may present opportunities for reducing wastes. 

• Evaluate the use of mechanical binding methods instead of those that use glues or adhesives. 

• Evaluate the use of water based glues or adhesives instead of solvent based ones for binding. 

• Collect scraps from paper cutting or trimming so that they can be recycled.

CLEANING OPERATIONS

Cleaning operations can be messy and often use a large amount of cleaning solvents.

Press Cleaning 

• Clean presses only when absolutely necessary, such as for color changes or when the press will be inactive for long periods of time between runs and the ink may dry out. 

• Apply protective spray films that are available to coat the top of the ink in the fountain at the end of the day.  These sprays will prevent the ink from drying out or forming a skin. 

• Use high quality paper (preferably recycled) to reduce paper ?lint? that can require the equipment to be cleaned frequently. 

• Schedule jobs from lighter to darker, if using a single press for different colors throughout the day.  This minimizes cleaning between color changes. 

• Using soy (vegetable) based or water based inks may allow clean-up with water based cleaners instead of traditional solvents. 

• Evaluate the use of alternative cleaners such as water or terpene based cleaners that may be safer and more environmentally friendly. 

• Instead of dousing rags and presses with solvents at clean-up time, try using the minimal amount of solvent.  Rags can be moistened with a plunger or squeeze bottle. 

• If solvent is poured over equipment, it should be collected in drip pans placed underneath.  Separate drip pans should be used for each press color, so that colors are not mixed. This allows the solvent to be reused to: clean most of the ink off of the presses next time with only a small amount of fresh solvent used for final clean-up. Possibly thin that same type of ink in the future.

• Use wipes or rags as long as possible before sending out for proper disposal or laundering.  Partially soiled wipes can be used as a first pass on equipment, and clean ones as a final pass. 

• Store rags or wipes contaminated with solvents in closed containers to reduce evaporation and solvent emissions. Consult the local Fire Department regarding storage.  

• When cleaning rollers with a cleaning blade and solvent: Use only blades and rollers in good condition adjust the angle of the blade so that enough pressure is placed on the roller but not so much that the blade can be ?grabbed? and ?pulled under? the roller too slow a roller speed means that cleaning time will be longer and possibly more solvent will be used. 

Blanket Cleaning 

• Alternative blanket washes are available that are less toxic and less flammable.  They do not contain ingredients such as benzene, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene,  methanol.  These cleaners contain ingredients such as glycol ethers and heavier hydrocarbons. 

• Evaluate the use of automated press cleaning equipment such as automated blanket cleaners.  

Screen Cleaning and Reclaiming 

• ?Squeegee? or ?card? off as much ink as possible before cleaning. This ink can often be collected for reuse. 

• Follow solvent use, storage, recycling and disposal guidelines in the ?Press Cleaning? section above. 

• High pressure water blast systems have been shown to be effective in screen cleaning.  These systems can be used with water only or in conjunction with a small quantity of ink degradent and emulsion remover.  Any rinse water must be collected and sent to an approved treatment system. 

• Totally enclosed systems are available for cleaning inks only or for removing all coatings from screens. 

• Any wastewater from screen cleaning must meet sanitary sewer standards before discharge to sanitary sewers.  No discharges of industrial wastes are allowed to go to septic tanks. 

• Consider the disposal of screens instead of reclamation for reuse, if screen reclamation activities require too much labor, materials, and regulatory monitoring.  Generally, they may be disposed of to the trash after they are dried. 

• Minimize the use of ghost/haze removers whenever possible.  Many can cause screens to become brittle and tear easily, as well as contribute significant hazardous materials to the waste streams.

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