Green printing: why eco friendly printing matters
Green printing means producing printed materials with less environmental impact. In practice that comes down to the paper, the ink, how the paper is bleached, how many copies are printed and how each piece is finished. Since 1990, Eco Friendly Printer has printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks and chlorine-free processing.
Three changes that reduce environmental impact
100% post-consumer waste
Post-consumer waste (PCW) paper is made from paper that has already been used, such as office paper, packaging and mail. It is collected, recycled and made into new stock. Using it conserves natural resources and energy, lowers greenhouse gas emissions and keeps material out of landfills.
Soy instead of petroleum
Conventional inks are petroleum-based and release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as they print and dry. Soy-based ink is made from a renewable crop, contains lower levels of VOCs and is easier to remove when the paper is recycled.
Chlorine-free bleaching
Chlorine bleaching can release dioxins, which persist in water and build up in the food chain. Processed chlorine-free paper is bleached without chlorine, which reduces water contamination.
What green printing means
Green printing is not a single product or certification. It is a set of choices made on every job: recycled paper instead of virgin fiber, plant-based inks instead of petroleum inks, paper bleached without chlorine, a print run sized to what will actually be used, and finishes that let the piece be recycled afterward.
Each choice addresses a different part of the environmental cost of print. Recycled paper reduces the demand for new pulp. Soy-based ink lowers emissions in the pressroom and makes paper easier to recycle. Chlorine-free processing keeps chlorine compounds out of mill wastewater. The sections below explain each one and what to ask for when you order.
What 100% PCW means
The word recycled can mean many things. A paper can be labeled recycled with as little as 10% recovered content, with the rest made from virgin pulp. 100% post-consumer waste means all of the fiber came from paper that was used and discarded, not from mill scraps or trimmings.
This difference matters. Pre-consumer scrap would not have gone to a landfill, but post-consumer paper would have. Choosing 100% PCW paper directly reduces the demand for virgin fiber. Our paper is FSC certified, so any virgin fiber in the supply chain can be traced to responsibly managed forests.
Mills such as Sustana, Mohawk, Monadnock, Neenah and Denmaur produce PCW papers that perform well for scoring, fine type, foil and embossing. The recycled content and certifications for each paper are listed on our paper stocks page.
FSC certification and what it covers
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) sets standards for responsible forest management and tracks fiber through a chain of custody from the forest to the printer. Only companies in that chain can put the FSC label on a finished piece.
FSC labels come in three types. FSC 100% means all of the fiber came from FSC-certified forests. FSC Recycled means the fiber came from reclaimed material. FSC Mix means a combination of certified, recycled and controlled sources. A sheet can be both recycled and FSC certified, which is the combination we print on most.
Soy and vegetable-based inks
Conventional offset inks use petroleum oil to carry the pigment. Soy-based inks replace much of that oil with soybean oil, often blended with other vegetable oils. The result releases fewer volatile organic compounds as it sets, and it separates from the paper fiber more easily when the paper is recycled.
Soy ink sets a little more slowly than petroleum ink, so a job needs sensible scheduling before cutting and folding. Our guide to soy based ink printing covers the details.
Chlorine-free processing
Paper is bleached to make it brighter. Older processes used elemental chlorine, which can produce dioxins that persist in water. Processed chlorine free (PCF) paper is recycled paper made without chlorine or chlorine compounds during reprocessing. Totally chlorine free (TCF) describes virgin fiber bleached without chlorine.
Recycled paper can look slightly warmer than a bright virgin sheet. On most printed pieces the difference is hard to see. If the shade matters to your design, ask about paper samples when you request a quote.
Run size and waste
The quantity you order is often the most effective green printing decision. Printing far more than you need and recycling the extra later wastes paper, ink and energy. Order what you expect to use, and plan a reprint if demand grows.
The print process matters too. Digital printing has very little setup, so short runs produce little waste. Offset printing has more setup but a lower cost per piece at higher quantities, so it suits larger runs. We can suggest the process that fits your job when you request a quote.
Coatings and finishes that keep print recyclable
A piece printed on recycled paper can still end up in a landfill if the finish prevents recycling. Plastic lamination, glitter and heavy foil coverage make paper difficult or impossible to recycle in most curbside programs.
Uncoated stock, water-based aqueous coating and small areas of foil or spot treatment are better choices when the piece should be recyclable. Tell us when you request a quote that the finished piece needs to be recyclable, and we will specify the finish to suit.
Labels and claims to look for
When you compare printers or papers, a few terms carry specific meaning. Look for post-consumer recycled content stated as a percentage, FSC certification, processed chlorine free (PCF) for recycled paper, and soy or vegetable-based ink for offset work.
General words such as eco or green do not tell you much on their own. Ask which of the specifics above apply to the paper and ink on your job. The recycled content and certifications for each sheet we use are listed on our paper stocks page.
Common questions about green printing
Is green printing more expensive?
It depends on the stock, the quantity and the finish. Some recycled papers cost about the same as comparable virgin papers, and some cost more. A quote shows the real price for your job.
Does recycled paper print well?
Yes. Current recycled stocks print sharp type and strong color, and they take scoring, foil and embossing. Uncoated recycled paper absorbs more ink, so colors can look slightly softer than on a bright coated sheet.
Can every product be printed green?
Most can. Paper products such as business cards, brochures and books print on recycled stock. Banners, signs and bags use other materials, such as PVC-free fabric, recycled PET or organic cotton. Each product page lists the materials used.
What should I ask a printer about green printing?
Ask for the recycled content of the paper, whether it is FSC certified, what ink will be used on your job and whether the finish keeps the piece recyclable.
These standards are our default for almost every job, not a premium product line.
Find the right paper for your project
Tell us about your project and we will recommend a paper and provide pricing and timing.