How Sustainable Printing Is Evolving in the UK

Sustainable printing in the UK is changing faster than people realise. What in years gone by was just a niche offering, or the odd “green” option, has grown into a real shift towards print companies offering 100% sustainable print products. This includes the materials they use, the energy they consume and how waste is managed.

This shift has mainly come from customer expectations. Businesses, charities, new start ups and event organisers now want eco friendly print marketing that doesn’t compromise on quality. Now, rather than being a marketing gimic, sustainability is becoming part of the way all print is produced.

The eco friendly challenge in print

Across the UK people and industries are making strives to move towards greener operations and eco friendly materials. This is especially the case with the print industry which has faced pressure to address its carbon footprint.

Paper options in particular have relied on non recycled options due to the quality of eco friendly alternatives. This along with energy intensive machinery and petrol based inks, resulted in print heavily impacting the environment for decades.

Regulations and industry standards

One the driving forces behind sustainable printing in the UK has been the implementation of industry certifications. They require print companies to take responsibility for their eco friendly practices and product lifecycle. Certifications such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) have become widely recognised.

New technology innovations are changing the industry

Advances in print technology has made greener printing a practical choice rather than a nice idea that compromises on the overall quality. Modern eco friendly print look and feel every bit as good as any traditional print, and in many cases can outperform them.

One of the biggest developments in the use of water or vegetable based inks. They deliver sharp and vibrant colour without the use of harsh chemicals. They are safer to handle, kinder to the environment and straight forward to recycle.

Paper stocks have also made a leap forward. Recycled papers are now smoother and stronger which mean designers no longer have to make compromises on quality. FSC certified papers are easier to source to make it easier for printers to offer responsible choices.

Carbon neutral or balanced printing

Carbon neutral and carbon balanced printing are sometimes used to mean the same thing but they are some slight differences.

Carbon neutral printing is the process of measuring and reducing emissions, and then offsetting any unavoidable carbon output through verified schemes. For print customers it offers an easy way to ensure their marketing materials carry a much lower carbon footprint.

Carbon balancing goes a step further. It doesn’t just including offsetting unavoidable emissions, but also taking steps t actively restore and protect habitats that absorb carbon. When a print project is called carbon balanced it’s tied to land conversation, which can often feel more tangible and have more meaning to businesses.

Inkwell Printing

Did you know that sustainability is one of our core values? We’re committed to eco-friendly print practices – so for every tonne of paper bought we capture 0.56kg of carbon with the Woodland Trust and plant 14 Square meters of new woodland.

With us you don’t have to choose between quality results and your care for the planet, we allow brands to stand out and remain conscious of their footprint at the same time.