Question from Mary
I have a pet peeve and I’d like your opinion. I frequently see advertisements with the message printed in white or colored ink against a solid black backgrouond. My assumption is that black ink uses more petrochemicals than lighter colors and therefore printing the message on a lighter background is more ecological. Also, if the paper is recycled it will require more bleach. I am hoping that if you publish this, perhaps eventually it will reach various publishers and they will be moved to change their procedures. Or am I all wet?
Debra’s Answer
I understand!
Black ink would use more black pigment than lighter colors, yes, but I’m not sure it’s petrochemicals. Iron oxide is also used as a black pigment, and that is a naturally occurring mineral.
And yes, if the paper is then recycled, it might require more bleach to get this black ink out.
