Graphic Designers and Printing Green

Here Here. Yes, it is much more than printing on recycled paper. In many of my business purchases I try to keep my carbon footprint as small as possible. I buy local and boutique shop wherever and whenever I can. Some quick purchases do end coming from big stores. The price is right...(There are even businesses designed to help market how green you are by buying into their carbon footprint reduction models).

I currently have hemp (tree free) paper on order for my office and for my business cards. I am always looking for a local printer who uses soy inks or some healthier version that does not fade in one year. Soy inks do fade with time, regretfully.

That is my two cents. Here is a site to purchase those "green paper products".

http://www.rawganique.com

Kathleen

there are several greener printers on the rise. soy ink is popular to use and many do print with it. didnt know about the fade factor. interesting.

www.greenerprinter.com

i know of another local business but dont recall the name. ill ask my biz partner the name - they are her contact.

greener printer has lots of paper sources. the website is so so but its full of info and their print quality is good. i had samples sent to me. just write greg and he is happy to send you samples.

i know at shoreline community college, they recycle so much stuff there. their print shop sends the rags out for laundering. offset print plates are recycled, paper,etc. so the services are def. out there locally for printers to do such.

there might also be a kirkland biz that does green printing. have to look into further. jotted the name down one day quickly and havent been able to research further yet. now i have time to though!

when i get that contact from my biz partner, ill post it!

I still think you are on to something, here. Perhaps you have not been asked about this much because it can be (at least initially) considered a niche market within printing.

Have you considered creating a little marketing around your recycled paper and perhaps hemp paper choices for printing? And letting us know about any new inks that are environmentally friendly.

Green may be the only way to go in the near future, so why not jump in now and catch the wave and help your health while you are at it?
Printing is such an essential piece to business and yet you printers are still exposed to those chemicals and aromas (off set printing is less so). Let us know what you do with this. I will help spread the word.
Kathleen

Great post Patrick.

These concerns are very much on my mind now, as a client of mine is really trying to "walk the walk" when it comes to being green, as it's part of their overall brand strategy as well, and we're looking at all our options.

We are looking at everything: FSC certified stocks, maybe even trying to find tree-free or organic if possible. The biggest issue is trying to balance quality, finish, and range of choices with ethics.

Definitely interested in this discussion... Thanks so much! -g

gianinna- try greenerprinter.com they have oodles of tree-free paper!