Soy ink is made from soybeans. Compared to traditional petroleum-based ink, soy-based ink is accepted as more environmentally friendly. While slower to dry than many inks, it provides more accurate colors and makes it easier to recycle paper.
As of December 13, 2024, ASA is using a new system to register and purchase the Soy Ink License. This new process will require you to create an account, which you can use year to year to purchase the Soy Ink License. Once you have created your account, the Soy Ink License will be in the Online Store on the left side of the site.
The history of soy ink is steeped in the newspaper industry when, in the late 1970s, the Newspaper Association of America (NAA) was looking for new ways to make ink beyond standard petroleum-based ink. Rising prices for petroleum and quarrels with OPEC countries were reasons they wanted to find a more reliable and cost efficient method of printing. After testing more than 2,000 vegetable oil formulations, researchers for the NAA came up with the solution of using soybean oil. In 1987, soybeans were successfully tested by The Gazette from Iowa in a practical printing run.
MINIMUM STANDARDS: The SoySeal may be used by Licensee only on products meeting or exceeding the following established standards.
Soybean oil* as a percentage of total formula weight
*Soybean oil must be the predominant vegetable oil, with vegetable drying oils added as needed, but not to exceed the level of soybean oil set out in the respective formulation. Alcohol esters of soybean oil may be substituted directly for soybean oil in news, sheet-fed, cold-set and business forms inks to obtain the minimum concentration standard. The minimum soybean oil concentration for heat-set inks increased to 15% (by weight) when alcohol esters of soybean oil replace soybean oil in this formulation.
Flexographic ink (water based) The vehicle must contain a minimum of 20% soy protein; (water based) a minimum of 15% of the vehicle must be included in the ink.
Soy Ink License Royalty Payments and Renewals
All payments are in U.S. Dollars. All Soy Ink License Agreement renew annually on January 1 of each year. Royalty Payments during the year are pro-rated by quarter.
As of December 13, 2024, ASA is using a new system to register and purchase the Soy Ink License. Please follow the link below to purchase the Soy Ink License. This new process will require you to create an account, which you can use year to year to purchase the Soy Ink License. Once you have created your account, the Soy Ink License will be in the Online Store on the left side of the site. During the check-out process, you will be able to review the agreement, pay, and download the logos.
If you have any questions, please contact Sharetha Newsome at snewsome@soy.org for further assistance.
PAY ROYALTY FEES ONLINE
