Printing Operations

Printing operations involve the processes of transferring images or material onto a substrate. The industry is organized by type of printing process used: heatset offset and non-heatset offset lithography, rotogravure, flexography, screen, letterpress, digital, water-based - ultraviolet-cured- solvent based material flexographic or rotogravure.

Printing operations are eligible to operate in Florida under the terms of an air general permit (AGP) pursuant to the requirements of Rule 62-210.310(4)(f), Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) 

An AGP is an authorization by rule to construct or operate a specific type of air pollutant emitting facility. Use of such authorization by any individual facility does not require action by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The terms and conditions of an AGP are set forth in the rule, rather than in a separately issued air construction or air operation permit.

Some printing operations may qualify for an exemption under Rule 62-210.300(3)(a)(36)F.A.C., provided:

• The facility is not subject to any unit-specific applicable requirement;
• The facility uses less than 667 gallons of materials containing any hazardous air pollutants in any consecutive twelve (12) months; and 
• The facility shall:
  • Operate only heatset offset lithographic printing lines and use less than 20,000 pounds, combined, of ink, cleaning solvent, and fountain solution additives in any consecutive 12 months;
  • Operate only non-heatset offset lithographic printing lines and use less than 2,850 gallons, combined, of cleaning solvent and fountain solution additives in any consecutive 12 months;
  • Operate only digital printing lines and use less than 2,425 gallons, combined, of solvent-based inks, clean-up solutions, and other solvent-containing materials in any consecutive 12 months;
  • Operate only screen or letterpress printing lines and use less than 2,850 gallons, combined, of solvent-based inks, clean-up solutions, and other solvent-containing materials in any consecutive 12 months;
  • Operate only water-based or ultraviolet-cured-material flexographic or rotogravure printing lines and use less than 80,000 pounds, combined, of water-based inks, coatings and adhesives in any consecutive 12 months; or
  • Operate only solvent-based material flexographic or rotogravure printing lines and use less than 20,000 pounds, combined, of inks, dilution solvents, coatings, cleaning solutions, and adhesives in any consecutive 12 months.

Registration

You can register, renew, change ownership or make administrative corrections to AGPs online.

• Air General Permit Electronic Registration System (AGPERS)

If you do not wish to use AGPERS, you can optionally download and complete the following worksheet and mail it to DEP at the address indicated in the worksheet instructions along with the $100 processing fee.

• Printing Operations Air General Permit Example Worksheet

Compliance Assistance Information

• Printing Operations Informational Handout
• Printing Operations Material Usage Guide
• Compliance Calendar for Printing Operations

For more information on AGPs or assistance with using AGPERS, please contact DEP's Small Business Environmental Assistance Program at 1-800-722-7457.

For questions related to compliance procedures such as test notifications, report submittals, record keeping, inspections, etc., please contact the compliance authority specific to the county where your facility is located. If it’s located in Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Pinellas or Sarasota counties, visit our Local Program Air Contacts page. For all other counties, go to our District Air Contacts page.