Removing, reducing, recycling
The creation of richly designed and bold printed products is at the heart of our brand’s identity and style. So, how do we best achieve this through sustainable production and delivery.
Our Co-founders Nic and Roz have been practising sustainable designers for over two decades, and they brought all of their working knowledge with them to ensure the best processes were in place from the outset. Their first and most important action was move away from traditional litho/offset printing to digital. This decision alone would significantly reduce environmental production impact by removing the need for extra raw materials as well as reducing waste, materials, emissions plus energy.
Digital printing methods have developed considerably in recent years, both in terms of quality and productivity. Known as a masterless printing process compared to litho/offset (no printing plates, cylinders, make-ready, intensive cleaning cycles etc.), it allowed us to manufacture in small batches and with a smaller environmental footprint. It also provided us with agile operations and adaptability.
Another vital factor was that each of our (paper) products had to be recyclable. This involved choosing zero finishings and ensuring deinking was achievable. We all know paper is generally recyclable but it stops being easily so if it has lamination, glitter, glue/tape, metallic inks or foiling applied to it. Keeping the paper as 'naked' as can be ensures a smoother recycling journey. Deinking is the penultimate step, carried out at specialist mills, this process removes ink away from paper before the final step of re-pulping.
Our sustainable practice and commitment continues, it is especially amplified as we venture into using new materials for our products. We'll keep everyone updated of new findings and processes.
Related reading:
https://eartheclipse.com/environment/environmental-benefits-digital-printing.html
....