Love Your Planet with Eco-Friendly Print Practices

As technology has progressed, so has the need to reduce waste.

Sustainable solutions are not new to our industry, and environmentally-friendly practices are something to greatly value. Design, first and foremost, is concerned with solving problems, and that includes the way we partner with you to create sustainable print solutions for the future.

Here are a few real-life of examples of how you can reduce your environmental impact with your print project:

1. Paper Preferences

Want to reduce your personal or corporate waste? The range of paper options has substantially increased in recent years. From recycled wood pulp to “tree-free” papers (made from bamboo, sugarcane, and mango, to name a few), you can now choose from an array of possibilities. If you are interested in knowing more about recycled paper options, we’d be happy to share them with you.

2. Ink Selection

As companies have worked to create eco-friendly products, printing processes and types of ink have been part of that experiment. Non-toxic toners and both soy and vegetable-based inks have matured in quality, continuing to improve in saturation, density, and brilliance. A 2005 Earth Day ad perfectly demonstrated this message, speaking out against chlorine-processed paper on an exceptional-quality poster that employed soy-based inks and recycled paper.

3. Products and Packaging

Environmental improvements in print also include finishes and packaging techniques. Consider simple options for reducing waste, increasing the longevity of a product, or using organic materials to reduce your footprint.

For example, adhesive labels offer you an efficient method for delivering product information without coating an entire packaging surface. Hangtags (versus boxes or containers) significantly reduce the quantity of disposed material you produce. Biodegradable or 100 percent recycled materials can be used for boxes, bags, and more. Even the choice to print a fold-over flyer (versus traditional letter and envelope format) can reduce unnecessary waste.

Keep the Creativity Flowing

While we don’t know for sure what the future holds, everyday choices can make a collective impact. Remember, you can make a difference, even in your design and print decisions!

Print and Production Finishes for Sustainable Design

by Edward Denison

Print and Production Finishes for Sustainable Design is an indispensable ideas sourcebook and practical guide to what has become an important consideration for many designers: sustainability. The book shows examples of environmentally friendly inks, varnishes, pigments, and finishes that can be used in a wide range of standard printed media. Printing innovations and specialized printing techniques using environmentally friendly ingredients are also included. The book provides an overview of different printable materials available to both 2-D and 3-D designers, including recyclable paper, paper substitutes, and biodegradable plastics. Innovative 3-D designs that demonstrate clear environmental benefits derived from the application of printing, types of manufacturing techniques or use of specific materials are showcased and explained. Environmentally sound printing and production finishes are often one of the outcomes of a lengthy design process by companies dedicated to reducing their impact on the environment. Print and Production Finishes for Sustainable Design includes case studies of companies where the entire organizational objective is based on achieving organizational sustainability (i.e. zero net impact) and where printing and production processes have been integral to achieving this.