Eco-Friendly Printing Choices
There has been an increased focus on climate change and the environment as global warming continues to be an important topic for many customers. As more people push for the country to make better environmental choices, professional printing often comes into the spotlight as a potentially wasteful industry.
It’s a common misconception that printing companies make no considerations for the environment when in actuality, responsible printers have made great strides in using recycled and earth-friendly printing elements to keep your company looking great on paper while also considering environmental impact.
If eco-friendly printing is important to you and your customers, a professional printer can walk you through their approach to sustainable printing and what your options are.
Paper
Eco-friendly printers work hand-in-hand with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to source and use paper sustainably. The FSC sets strict standards for how responsible forests create and source paper while also managing sustainable management of the forests.
Paper that’s not only recyclable but that also contains pre-consumer recycled content is often available upon request as an option for print projects. What your project is printed on is one of the most important factors, but genuinely earth-friendly printing goes even further than just the paper.
Inks and Coatings
Special environmental consideration is also given to the inks and coatings that are used in the print shop. Petroleum-based inks can contain harmful organic compounds, but there are soy-based and vegetable-based inks that are both more eco-friendly and that produce bright, high-quality images that can be easily removed during paper recycling.
Water-based coatings can also be a more gentle choice for the environment, and in some cases, UV coatings can be more eco-friendly when done in an energy-efficient manner. Responsible printers also ensure that the solvents and neutralizers they use during the printing process won’t contaminate the local groundwater or soil.
Reducing Waste and Reusing Materials
Professional printers can also take more sustainable steps during the printing process by:
- Reducing the amount of paper needed during setup
- Turning scrap paper into newsprint rather than white paper, which requires more resources and chemicals
- Using recyclable or biodegradable packing materials to reduce landfill waste
Energy Consumption
Sometimes, being earth-friendly is also possible in the little details. Printers also contribute to sustainable practices by committing to running their printing machinery efficiently with low water usage. Using sustainable energy resources such as solar and wind power are not always possible in the city, but outfitting the print shop with fluorescent lighting, low watt usage fixtures, and other energy-saving features are other ways to be eco-friendly.
All improvements that are made to use as few resources as possible while producing the best results possible can help keep modern print in business
Ask Us About Sustainable Printing Today
At Thomas Group Printing, we value sustainable printing and have eco-friendly print options available so you can look great on paper without having to worry about contributing to environmental waste. Reach out today and ask us how!
