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Printing Practices

We are committed to using both our economic and environmental resources wisely in every project. Responsible use of resources comes in many forms. Below is an introduction to some of the options we consider and use when creating a print publication. What we do for any given piece depends in some measure on the budget and communication goals of the publication.

All print publications require copyright and nondiscrimination notices.

Digital Alternatives and Reducing Paper Use

Our philosophy is that “I want a brochure” alone is not reason enough to print something. Before we begin a project, we work with you to determine what product will best help you meet your goals. Sometimes this means producing a digital alternative. Other times, we may advise you to scale back the size of your print publication and use it to direct readers to a website.

Recycled Paper Content

Perhaps the best-known way to save resources in paper products is through the recycling and reuse of products that already exist. There are two types of recycled paper—paper that gets recycled before it ever reaches a consumer (for an example, think of scraps in a paper mill) and paper that is recycled by consumers to be used again (like the newspaper you put in the recycle bin).

Forest Stewardship Council Certification

Founded in 1993 in response to concerns over global deforestation, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international nonprofit body that sets standards to promote environmentally and socially responsible forest management.

In concrete terms, this means that FSC-certified papers don’t come from old-growth forests or rainforests. Additionally, the certification indicates that the rights of indigenous local people were respected and wildlife habitats were protected where these products were made.

The FSC has created different types of certifications for forest managers, paper product manufacturers, and printers. To learn more about FSC standards and practices, visit their website.

Renewable Energy

Wind energy, hydropower, and biogas provide clean and sustainable forms of energy compared to fossil fuels. Some of our vendors purchase renewable energy to power their operations, and we choose to partner with them, in part, because of that decision.

Vegetable-Based Inks

It’s important to consider not just what is in paper, but what is on it. Vegetable-based inks provide an alternative to traditional petroleum-based inks. They emit lower levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), gases that the EPA has identified as sometimes having adverse health effects.

Additional Information

We keep records about which paper stocks and vendors we work with to produce each of our print pieces. If you have questions about a specific publication, or just want more information about our practices, please contact us.