INKS - PRINTING The original printing inks (China, Guthenberg, etc.) all used vegetable oils such as tall oil or linseed oil in their formulas. Now, printing inks used by newspapers contain between 55-85% petroleum based carriers; the remaining ingredients are resins and pigments. As a result of the past petroleum crisis and shortages that can be expected in the future, the possibility of developing a non-petroleum based printing ink was investigated. Soybean oil proved to be a suitable alternative. The most important improvements were observed in more vivid, brighter colours and more flexible lithographic performance. These inks offer low rub-off, a benefit to the readers, reduced waste paper and are more bio-degradable. No problems were observed during paper reclaiming. The main advantage, however, was the reduction of the release of volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere. Soybean oil based inks are also readily available in Europe. In Belgium for example, all major newspapers used soybean oil printing ink.