The 5 Best Eco Solvent Printer 2022

Did you know that using solvent ink leaves toxic wastes in the environment?

Yes, you heard that right! Solvent ink, which is commonly used in inkjet printers, consists of carcinogenic chemicals toluene and cyclohexane. These release fumes that can cause severe medical conditions like emphysema and bronchitis. Besides that, when the cartridge is discarded, the chemicals mix with the soil and cause harm to the surrounding.

Instead, one can use eco-solvent ink – an option that is way more eco-friendly. They will provide you with richer and more stunning quality. Look into our list of best eco-solvent printers that leave a very small carbon footprint!

What Is Eco-Solvent Printing?

Eco-solvent printing is an environment-friendly printing method that decreases the toxic waste left in the surrounding. Throughout the process, the printer uses an eco-solvent ink that does not produce hazardous fumes or leave a chemical mess behind. This means that the hard copies and the cartridges are biodegradable, i.e., they get decomposed without creating pollution. Anyone who opts for eco-solvent printing can print indoors without having to worry about lung damage. Discarding is also made easy, and the need for maintenance is decreased since the printer runs smoother with such ink.

What To Look For When Buying An Eco-Solvent Printer

As printers are rather expensive, it is best to make a checklist before purchasing. This way, you will immediately be able to see which printer ticks all your boxes. Here are some checklist that you need to look for. These are printer speed, printing resolution, connectivity and power consumption.

Power Consumption

A printer that consumes little energy to operate is always the eco-friendlier option. It will also not add much to your electricity bill and decrease the cost per page. Therefore, always check out how many watts of power the printer uses up before making a purchase. Pick the one that uses up less power to decrease your contribution to global warming.

Printer Speed

A printer with high printing speed often consumes more power reducing its eco-friendliness. That being said, printers with slow speed can be rather frustrating to work with too. Places like offices or printing presses will understandably require slightly higher printing speeds. They can, therefore, use printers with 15 ppm speed without causing hindrances to workflow or environmental conditions.

Anyone who is purchasing a printer for home or sole use can opt to use printers with 5 to 10 ppm speed. As only one person will be working, the rush is decreased, meaning you can easily switch to this eco-friendly option.

Print Resolution

Printing resolution directly affects the print quality. It is also directly proportional to the power consumption since more work needs to be done to place more dots per inch. Therefore, if you wish to use your printer for printing text documents mainly, go for one with a resolution ranging from 600 to 1200 dpi. Such printers will provide crisp texts while being the eco-friendlier choice.

Individuals who regularly print out images, advertisements, brochures, magazines, etc., require a high resolution. These people need to work on making eco-friendly choices related to the paper type, as going for resolutions below 4800 dpi is not an option. For example, recycled paper can be brought instead of regular paper.

Single Purpose or Multi-Purpose

A single-purpose printer should be purchased when one does not wish to scan, copy, or fax. Such printers will only use up power to take care of your printing tasks. In contrast, if you are buying a printer for office use, a multi-purpose printer should be considered. As a separate faxing machine, scanner, and copier is eliminated, less power is consumed. Instead, you can decrease energy wastage by using your printer to carry out all the other tasks.

Connectivity

These days most printers offer wireless connectivity. One can print from the comfort of their seat while using any device of their choice. Nevertheless, wireless connectivity may come with some problems like interruptions that will require your printer to be on longer. This might increase your power consumption and make the printer less eco-friendly. So, before choosing wireless connectivity, research to see whether the connection is secure or not.

Extra Features

Depending on your line of work, look for printing features that will assist you. For example, office users often look for duplex printing features that help in saving resources, time, and money—in addition, printing on both sides of paper halves the number of papers used, causing a major impact on paper wastage.

For convenience’s sake, you should also look into ADF, which makes paper handling a lot less troublesome. Crafters should also invest in printers that can print on varying types and sizes of paper.

The Best Eco Solvent Printer On The Market

Print as much as you need but make sure not to harm the environment. Adapting this famous slogan, we listed 5 top digital printers that use biodegradable solvents or eco-friendly inks. These can print on different materials with less impact on the environment producing little waste.

• Best Eco Solvent Ink Compatible Desktop Printer: Epson WorkForce ET – 3750
• Best Wide Format Eco Solvent Printer: Epson EcoTank ET – 4760
• Best Eco-Solvent Desktop Printer: Epson EcoTank ET – 2750
• Best Small Eco Solvent Printer: Epson EcoTank ET – 2720
• Best Eco Friendly Printer For Home: Epson Premium EcoTank 2803

1. Best Eco Solvent Ink Compatible Desktop Printer – Epson WorkForce ET–3750

Selection Criteria:

• Power Consumption: 12 watts – My Scores: 9.5/10
• Printer Speed: Black 10.5 ppm, Color 5 ppm – My Scores: 6.5/10
• Print Resolution: 4800 x 1200 dpi – My Scores: 8/10
• Multi-Purpose: Yes – My Scores: 10/10
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi – My Scores: 10/10
• Extra Features: Auto Duplex & ADF – My Scores: 10/10

About Epson WorkForce ET–3750

Users of the Epson WorkForce ET – 3750 All-in-One Printer cannot help but rave about it. Most have claimed that setting it up is extremely easy. Both wired and wireless connections provide flawless transfer of data, and threats to your file are eliminated.

One can use the printer to scan and copy, making it ideal for office use. A good printing resolution allows it to produce sharp texts while also being ideal for photo printing. Borderless prints can also be made, widening the printer’s capabilities.

Compatibility with eco-solvent ink makes this printer the perfect eco-friendly option you could ask for. Auto two-sided printing also helps you save trees by using half the number of pages.

An auto-document feeder is featured with the intent to assist users. However, it is capable of feeding only 30 pages and instead adds new problems for the user. I have to mention one helpful feature is the ink tank level window. People can easily identify low ink levels and purchase a new set beforehand.

Pros:

• Users can make borderless prints of dimensions up to 8.5 x 11 inches.
• Auto duplex printing feature helps in saving time and money.
• Ink bottles last as long as 30 cartridges would do while saving you 80%.

Cons:

• Auto document feeder tends to get jammed pretty often.

2. Best Wide Format Eco Solvent Printer – Epson EcoTank ET-4760

Selection Criteria:

• Power Consumption: 12 watts – My Scores: 9.5/10
• Printer Speed: Black 15 ppm, Color 6.8 ppm – My Scores: 10/10
• Print Resolution: 4800 x 1200 dpi – My Scores: 8/10
• Multi-Purpose: Yes – My Scores: 10/10
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Ethernet – My Scores: 10/10
• Extra Features: Auto Duplex & ADF – My Scores: 10/10

About Epson EcoTank ET-4760

With the ability to print, scan, copy, and fax, the Epson EcoTank ET – 4760 all-in-one printer is perfect for offices. A very good printing speed and high-capacity paper tray makes it especially the perfect fit for offices. The resolution is also commendable, allowing you to make photo prints.

Due to this printer’s ink bottles, one can spend 90% less. Cost per page gravely decreases, so printing out books or a large volume of data is a lot cheaper. Users are also presented with ink bottles during their purchase which will help you print out tons of pages for free.

The Epson EcoTank ET – 4760 All-in-One printer consumes little power. Thus, when paired with eco-solvent ink, you will be doing the Earth a massive favor. In addition, Cartridge-free printing also reduces the amount of toxic waste and plastic that remains left around in the environment.

Power cords are provided with a CD that holds necessary information regarding the setup process. Giving print commands with the 2.4-inch color touchscreen also requires no effort. Users are, therefore, saved from all sorts of stress and guilt.

Pros:

• Low-cost ink cartridges decrease the cost per page to about 1 cent.
• A paper tray with 250 sheet capacity eliminates the need to hand feed.
• Voice-activated printing combined with wireless connectivity makes tasks effortless.

Cons:

• The paper tray has no cover, so print heads collect dust and get jammed.

3. Best Eco-Solvent Desktop Printer – Epson EcoTank ET–2750

Selection Criteria:

• Power Consumption: 13 watts – My Scores: 10/10
• Printer Speed: Black 10.5 ppm, Color 5 ppm – My Scores: 6.5/10
• Print Resolution: 5760 x 1440 dpi – My Scores: 10/10
• Multi-Purpose: Yes – My Scores: 10/10
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi – My Scores: 10/10
• Extra Features: Auto Duplex & ADF – My Scores: 10/10

About Epson EcoTank ET–2750

Although the Epson EcoTank ET – 2750 Supertank Printer is expensive, it does not offer too many amazing features. The speed is acceptable, but low making it an unsuitable choice for office work. However, the printing resolution and SD card readability make it suitable for photographers.

Unlike the other all-in-one printers on the list, this one cannot fax your documents. However, scanning is possible at a decreased resolution of 1200 x 2400 dpi, and copies can be made at a very low speed.

A 1.44-inch colored display is present, which gets mixed reviews. Many have claimed that it assists graciously while handling task flow, while others complain about the overly small size. However, what always satisfies the user is the eco-solvent ink compatibility. As a result, costs are gravely lowered, and you can even help out your surroundings by reducing your carbon footprint.

Overall, the auto-duplexing features combined with low maintenance cost make the Epson EcoTank ET – 2750 Supertank Printer a satisfactory choice for home offices. Of course, you might have to spend some money towards the beginning, but the extremely low running cost makes up for it.

Pros:

• Compatible with Windows, IOS, and Android, so you can print from all devices.
• A high printing resolution offers stunning quality output.
• One can connect an SD card and print directly from it.

Cons:

• The printer is big and thus, takes up a lot of space.

4. Best Small Eco Solvent Printer – Epson EcoTank ET–2720

Selection Criteria:

• Power Consumption: 12 watts – My Scores: 9.5/10
• Printer Speed: Black 10.5 ppm, Color 5 ppm – My Scores: 6.5/10
• Print Resolution: 5760 x 1440 dpi – My Scores: 10/10
• Multi-Purpose: Yes – My Scores: 10/10
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet – My Scores: 10/10
• Extra Features: No – My Scores: 4/10

About Epson EcoTank ET–2720

Despite having the smallest dimensions in the entire list, this printer manages to bring you lots of features. On an even happier note, you need not pay much to access them either. The Epson EcoTank ET – 2720 Wireless All-in-One printer comes at a very low initial cost. Pairing this budget-friendly printer with equally low-cost ink will help you save money. As a bonus factor, you will also be decreasing the amount of carcinogenic chemicals being left in your environment.

The Epson EcoTank ET – 2720 Wireless Color All-in-One printer has small values to offer in terms of weight and size. In addition, one can easily connect their phones through the strong Wi-Fi Direct connecting feature.

Due to the printer’s high resolution, it is capable of photo printing. Compatibility with a wide range of media also acts as another plus point.

Problems lie with the extremely low paper capacity and lack of ADF. Although you can print wirelessly and through voice commands, you need to stand near it to hand feed the sheets. Besides that, the absence of a duplex printing feature also frustrates a lot of users.

Pros:

• It offers tons of features while being extremely affordable.
• Ink bottles used during printing are inexpensive and last longer.
• Uses and innovative Micro Piezo Heat Free technology to produce sharp output.

Cons:

• Connecting the printer wirelessly takes up a lot of time and effort.

5. Best Eco Friendly Printer For Home – Epson Premium EcoTank 2803

Selection Criteria:

• Power Consumption: 12 watts (approx.) – My Scores: 9.5/10
• Printer Speed: Black 10 ppm, Color 5 ppm – My Scores: 6/10
• Print Resolution: 5760 x 1440 dpi – My Scores: 10/10
• Multi-Purpose: Yes – My Scores: 10/10
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB – My Scores: 10/10
• Extra Features: Auto Duplex – My Scores: 7/10

About Epson Premium EcoTank 2803

The Epson Premium EcoTank 2803 Printer brings your eco-solvent printing features within its petite dimensions. It runs on inkjet printing technology and provides crisp quality due to its resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi.

Users of this Epson printer can choose to connect to the printer wired or wirelessly. Both provide a secure exchange of data. You can also simply put your SD card in the available slot and print directly from there.

According to users, one of the biggest benefits of this printer is its inexpensiveness. One does not have to pay too much for maintenance or ink. Instead, high yield ink bottles are present, which run 30 times longer than cartridges. They also cost significantly lower, but you can further decrease money wastage by resolving to eco-solvent ink. 

The only complaints you will hear from users are about the lack of ADF, which makes hands-free printing impossible. Some will also groan a little about the printing speed, which can be a little slow compared to other modern-day printers.

Pros:

• Interruption-free wired and wireless connection is provided.
• Small dimensions allow it to fit in small places.
• High resolution paired with Micro Piezo technology provides superior quality output.

Cons:

• Borderless prints of only 4 x 6 inches can be made which limits options.

How To Use Eco Solvent Ink On Desktop Printer?

Eco-solvent ink has no special usage process as it functions quite similarly to solvent ink despite having varying chemical properties. To print on them:

1. First, place your coated sheets within the printer’s tray and adjust the paper guides. Make sure that the printer recognizes that it is loaded before proceeding to the next step.
2. Move to use PC and check to ensure that your soft copy is perfectly adjusted according to the paper size. Next, edit in or out all the details you need to and then press the Print button/ tab/ option.
3. As soon as the print dialogue box appears, take note of all the paper, image, and size setting options available. Alter them according to your needs, and then check the Print Preview.
4. Once the print preview matches your expectations, click on the Print button present at the bottom right corner.
5. Wait for the result to be printed out and be careful about not touching it instantly. Then, let the sheet’s ink dry out, and there you have it! Your very own eco-solvent print!

Benefits Of Eco-Solvent Printing:

Being eco-conscious is extremely important since all countries are suffering due to climate change in today’s world. So, at a time like this, eco-solvent printing will be extremely beneficial as one will not be adding more to the pollution in their surroundings. Carcinogenic and toxic wastes are cut down, allowing people to minimize their footprint while still keeping up with the modern world.

As eco-solvent ink is comparatively cheaper than regular solvent ink, you need not spend time worrying about the running costs either. As a result, big prints like banners and signage can be made without having to spend a lot every time. Maintenance costs are also cut down as the chemical balance in ink prevents print heads from being clogged up.

Lastly, eco-solvent ink is also resistant to water or other weather damages. Scratches cause no marks on the surface of the output, meaning prints for outdoor usage can be entrusted to such printers. In addition, the colors dry up very quickly after printing and remain resistant to fading for the first couple of years.

Why Should I Switch to Eco-Solvent Printing?

One should consider switching to eco-solvent printing because of all the benefits it brings to the table. To start with, it is non-carcinogenic and biodegradable, which eliminates a lot of toxic mess from the environment. It is also advantageous to your health as no harmful fumes are produced during the printing process.

Other than this, eco-solvent printing also heightens the printing quality. Vibrant colors make your output stand out, while resistance to several factors makes it long-lasting. In addition, water, scratches, and chemicals will cause absolutely no harm to your prints. This makes it suitable for producing outdoor prints like billboards and signs which regularly clash with weather damage.

Another huge plus point is how quickly it dries up once the heat is applied. This decreases the chances of smudging and can be extremely useful for wide-format printing. Eco-solvent ink is also compatible with a huge range of surfaces. PVC, vinyl, plastic, etc., can be printed upon.

Solvent Vs. Eco-Solvent print

Both solvent and eco-solvent inks have several advantages and disadvantages. In terms of price, eco-solvent ink is cheap, making it ideal for large-scale printing. On the other hand, solvent ink is more towards the expensive end and runs out quickly, increasing the cost per page.

Due to the extra vibrancy that eco-solvent ink provides, it is perfect for bright pictures. Hence, the graphics and signage industries tend to use it more often than solvent ink. It is also much more resistant to damage and fading, making it more suitable for outdoor use.

Solvent ink holds the advantage of having a quick-drying procedure. One does not have to wait to avoid smudges. This is not the case for eco-solvent ink, which requires heat to dry. As many papers will melt at high temperatures, it is not ideal for all surfaces.

Lastly, eco-solvent ink can be used to print in enclosed rooms, unlike solvent ink. This is because no toxic gasses are released, so there is no threat to one’s bronchus. You can, therefore, use eco-solvent ink in confined offices or publishing houses. It always manages to shine as the greener choice in comparison to solvent ink.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Is The Most Eco-Friendly Printer?

Although all the printers on our list are eco-friendly, the Epson WorkForce ET – 3750 All-in-One Supertank Printer stands out. A small amount of power is consumed during the printing process, so less energy is wasted. The ink bottles also offer a high yield and thus, manage to run longer than 30 sets of cartridges would do. If you are looking for an eco-friendly printer, the Epson WorkForce ET – 3750 All-in-One Supertank Printer is an excellent pick.

2. What Is Eco Solvent Printer?

Printers that are compatible with the biodegradable eco-solvent ink are known as eco-solvent printers. Inks used in eco-solvent printers have a combination of ether and mineral oils. Their VOC content is extremely low, and they release almost no odor. As a result, these produce no toxic or carcinogenic fumes during the printing process, minimizing the waste released to the environment. You also do not have to worry about getting diseases like emphysema and bronchitis, which can damage your lungs.

3. What Printer Can Be Converted To Eco-Solvent?

The Epson EcoTank ET – 2750 Wireless All-in-One Supertank Printer can be paired with eco-solvent ink. This allows it to make eco-friendly prints that release no carcinogenic or toxic waste to the environment. Discarding the ink bottles is also easier as you do not have to worry about adding harmful chemicals to the soil.

4. What Printers Use Eco-Solvent Ink?

Printers that run on inkjet printing technology are generally compatible with eco-solvent ink. So far, Epson has managed to produce these printers which use eco-solvent ink bottles. They are low-cost and help in decreasing environmental damage caused by printing.

5. What Is The Cheapest Eco-Solvent Printer?

The Epson EcoTank ET – 2720 is an all-in-one, low-cost eco-solvent printer. Despite being the cheaper option, it does not back down in providing amazing features. Users are gifted with high resolution that provides quality output. A high printing speed also gets work done quickly while being extremely useful when you need to make large volume prints.

6. What Is The Most Environmentally Friendly Printer?

Eco-solvent printers manage to be the most environmentally friendly ones. This is because they use eco-solvent ink, which does not release toxic or carcinogenic fumes to the environment. In addition, organic chemicals are not used to manufacture them, unlike solvent inks.

7. How Long Does Eco-Solvent Ink Last?

Eco-solvent inks will maintain their original vibrant look for about three years. Afterward, the brightness of each shade might start fading, causing your image to look duller than it initially was. Therefore, we suggest you avoid eco-solvent printing when you require hard copies that should be stored for a long time. However, remember that the prints will remain spotless for the first three years since they will be resistant to scratches and water.

8. Can I Use Eco-Solvent Ink In My Inkjet Printer?

Inkjet printers developed many years ago lack the ability to work well with eco-solvent ink. Therefore, such printers might get jammed or clogged when paired with these inks, meaning that you should avoid them when trying to make eco-solvent prints. However, inkjet printers that were recently produced tend to be eco-solvent ink compatible. These days, many short-format and wide-format inkjet printers are available (specially made by Epson), which support this feature. Nevertheless, as one cannot be sure, it is always best to check out the specifications to be completely aware of the answer.

9. Is Eco-Solvent Ink Waterproof?

Yes, eco-solvent ink is resistant to any damage caused by water. Despite being in contact with liquid and becoming damp, the original vibrancy of the color remains, and zero smudges are formed. This stands out as an extremely advantageous point since people can use ink to print out things meant to stay outdoors. Furthermore, as the ink reacts well with many media (e.g., low-cost PVCs, vinyl, matte paper), you can effortlessly produce banners, signage, and decals with its assistance.

10. Can Eco-Solvent Ink Print On Paper?

Yes, eco-solvent ink is capable of printing upon both – coated and uncoated papers. However, we suggest you refrain from printing on the latter since the color’s brightness tends to get dampened. This happens as the paper absorbs some ink, creating a watercolor-like look. On the other hand, watercolor paper is very suitable for an eco-solvent printing process as they are comparatively thicker. The same goes for low-cost PVC, HTVs, matte papers, glossy photo papers, sticker papers, etc.

11. Does Eco-Solvent Ink Fade?

Yes, eco-solvent ink starts to fade away with time. After around three to four years of printing, you will notice that the color starts to become dull. Soon enough, you will need to replace it with a new one as viewing or reading the print will become hard. This fading is not associated with water contact or a scratch since eco-solvent ink is resistant to those. Instead, it occurs naturally due to the liquid’s chemical components.

12. Does Epson Use Eco-Solvent Ink?

Yes, all of the printers in the Epson EcoTank series tend to use eco-solvent inks, which are present in large ink bottles. The Epson EcoTank ET – 2720, EcoTank ET – 2750, EcoTank ET – 4760, etc., are some of the most loved options. Aside from this, the WorkForce ET – 3750 can also hold eco-solvent ink in its Supertank to etch out results.

As these printers utilize such ink, they manage to be budget-friendly by bringing in some of the lowest costs per page. In addition, a bigger yield is also provided, which combines to make the printer perfectly suitable for high volume usage.

Conclusion

Eco-solvent ink manages to up solvent ink in several ways. First, it is safer and thus, provides a more decent quality output that is resistant to scratches and water damage. Switching to this amazing option will also save you a couple of bucks.

Hence, our article introduces you to some of the best eco-solvent printers. Consider purchasing them to enjoy a safer printing journey. Reviews and a buying guide have been provided to make your shopping trip easier. Have a fun time printing with the Epson printer that is suitable for you!