Production of environmentally friendly printing ink varnish using <i>Pinus brutia</i> resin and sunflower oil and determination of printability parameters

Purpose This study aims to investigate the usability of Pinus brutia resin and sunflower oil in printing ink varnish. The areas where Pinus brutia forests are located in Turkey are the most suitable forests for pine resin production due to the topography and climatic conditions. For this reason, another aim of the study is to determine the usability of Pinus brutia resin, a sustainable resource that has not been tried in printing inks before, in ink. Design/methodology/approach Forty grams of sunflower oil and 70 g Pinus brutia resin were used as varnish components. Offset printing ink was prepared by formulating 80% varnish, 17% cyan pigment and 3% dryer. The prepared varnish was tested in the eco-friendly offset printing ink formulation. Findings Rheological and optical analyses were performed to test the varnish. Viscosity, tack and rub resistance tests were performed for rheological analysis; and L*a*b*, gloss and light fastness tests were performed for optical analysis. Rheological tests showed that the varnish can be used in offset printing ink formulation. Printability tests confirmed that the varnish can work in ink. Originality/value The originality of this study is the production of varnish from the combination of natural Pinus brutia resin and natural sunflower oil and demonstration of varnish workability in ink. The varnish thus produced is completely natural. Pinus brutia resin grown in Turkey has been tested for the first time in printing ink and has been successful. On the other hand, it has been determined that the resin obtained from Pinus brutia tree is a natural and sustainable raw material that can be used in ink varnish without damaging the ecosystem.