51 Green Printing Tips

When should we think about doing Digital Printing?

Any printing that fits on, up to, 500 sheets of 13 x 19 paper, is probably a digital job, price wise on 4 color printing. I would also check our offset pricing at 500 sheets. We can fit 4 x 6 postcards, 9 up, on 13 x 19 cover, which will yield 4500 postcards.

How using eco-friendly printing practices, while printing a brochure or a book, will save me money?

I recommend using our cost effective 100% post-consumer waste and 100% processed chlorine free, recycled paper. Many of my clients use our 90% brightness paper, instead of our 96 brightness paper, which saves them 50% on the paper. That might save 20% overall in your printing. This paper can be used for printing brochures, flyers, newsletters, books, stationery, pocket folders, etc.

One example is the book Food For Thought: Hazon’s Sourcebook on Jews, Food & Contemporary Life which was printed on this paper. Here’s some food for thought this 130-page sourcebook not only looks terrific (you can see it even just by looking at the cover), but this book was also printed within its original budget and is ecofriendly to the environment, all by using the less expensive paper 100% post-consumer waste, recycled paper.

Environmental Questions and Answers

How do you let your clients know you are being responsible in your printing?

My clients want to look environmental in their printing. What do I recommend they do? I suggest that my clients include the environmental emblems when they are being green in their printing. Here are few examples of the emblems we have:

So let your clients know you are being responsible in your printing. You will feel good about it and your clients will be happy you are environmental!

What does FSC Certified mean? is it enough?

FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council . This council certifies that the paper mills are following strict procedures in managing their forests. The FSC wants to make sure the forests are managed properly and that new trees can grow and that the forests are not depleted. To have a printing job be FSC certified, several very important procedures must be followed.

1. The Chain of Custody must be followed. The printer needs a document from the paper merchant that proves that the paper bought is FSC certified. The delivery receipt must be sent to the Forest Stewardship Council for final verification.

    

2. The printer Must Be FSC certified. Not many printers have gone through this process. It costs at least $5000.00 and there are very strict procedures that must be checked out to see if the printer is being environmental in their printing.

    

3. The PDF of the print job, along with the Chain Of Custody, with the name of the printer must be sent to the FSC.

    

4. The FSC will check the documents and then email back the code # that must be printed in the correct position next to the FSC emblem .

    

Environmental Questions and Answers

I like FSC and I also like that other emblems are printed, next to the FSC emblem. FSC is for managing the forests. It does not mean that the paper is recycled or chlorine free .

I like to see that the paper is also 100% PCW and 100% PCF and that the Energy used to make the paper is Green E certified. FSC can be for non environmental paper, and FSC can be for minimum recycled paper, and FSC

can be for the maximum recycled paper. I like the maximum recycled paper. Then, I am sure your job is totally environmentally sound!

How can I avoid being green washed in being a green buyer of printing ?

This is easier said than done. Buying printing takes a lot of education on the terminology. I suggest that you know the basic terminology. I have three examples of potential Green Washing.

Example 1 -Recycled paper is paper that has a minimum of 30% post-consumer content. 100% recycled paper is based on the post-consumer content of paper. So, when a printer says they are using 100% recycled paper, I ask how much post-consumer is in the paper. This is a potential green washing. To make a big deal about 100% recycled paper when in fact the paper has only 30% PCW, makes this paper only 30% recycled.

Example 2 -Chlorine Free paper that is bleached with hydrogen peroxide or oxygen is considered Processed Chlorine Free (PCF). Paper that was bleached with Chlorine Dioxide is considered Elementally Chlorine Free (ECF). Processed Chlorine Free is chlorine free. Elemental Chlorine Free is really not chlorine free and when mixed with other chemicals, can cause Dioxin. If a printer says the paper is chlorine free, you need to ask if it is Processed Chlorine Free. This is a potential for green washing -making an ECF bleached paper sound like it is chlorine free.

Environmental Questions and Answers

Example 3 -Many printers promote FSC and Soy inks for printing and that sounds good, but ask how much post-consumer waste does the paper have, and what is the name of the paper. A 14 PT coated paper that is advertised a lot on many printer websites, is probably not even a recycled paper, and certainly not chlorine free. You need to be 100% post-consumer to be processed chlorine free. If the 14 PT is even recycled, it is ECF, or Elementally Chlorine Free, and does contain chlorine dioxide, and can cause dioxins.

The biggest Green Washing to me is : Making a non-recycled paper sound terrific, by attaching the FSC emblem and the Soy ink emblem to the advertising. I have always said that when stating FSC paper, include the other emblems. 100% post-consumer recycled, 100% processed chlorine free, Green E, etc. FSC is only one small element in determining the paper is environmental. The other emblems mean more.

Is Spot Color printing environmentally friendly?

Yes. Custom Pantone®, Spot Color Printing, uses significantly less paper, ink, solvents, and energy, compared to normal four color offset printing. We use vegetable based inks, consisting of Soy, Chinawood and Linseed, which are all renewable products. Our inks are manufactured locally, without lead, cadmium, mercury, or hexavalent chromium compounds. While many printing jobs are created in CMYK (4 colors), many traditional clients want their specific corporate pantone color(s). Many of our clients feel that offset printing is better than digital and would never change. Offset printing leaves a flatter color, or no extra shine, than digital printing. That is important to many clients. Offset printing is easier to keep consistent, run to run, as we keep the pantone ink for each client. So, we feel our offset department will continue to be busy, and environmental.

Environmental Questions and Answers

What is the best alternative if you can’t afford to buy Seed paper?

First, Seed paper is paper with seeds in the sheets. When ready to be recycled, the consumer is encouraged to bury the postcard in their backyard, and the seeds will grow into Wild Flowers.

This paper only comes in 13 x 19 cover weight, and costs approximately $5.00 per sheet delivered. (Price subject to change. )

I suggest using small sizes to get your point across. Postcards and business cards are the most popular uses of this paper. For larger runs, I suggest printing your message on 100% post-consumer paper and die cutting a small piece of the seed paper and spot gluing to the less expensive recycled cover. In your ad copy, you can say plant the seed paper image and it will grow into flowers. That die cut image could be your main point to your message to your readers. This was done by a company that die cut 200,000 2 x 2 pieces and gluing to 200,000 larger sheets, printed on a grade that was 1/10 the price of the seed paper.

If that doesn’t work, I suggest changing to a different Tree Free paper. As the Seed paper has a lot of specs and colors in the paper, I recommend Sugar Cane, Mango, or Banana papers. You won’t have the seeds, but the lines are eye catching, environmental, and Tree Free.

Does it cost a lot more to print books on recycled paper?

To answer this question, I decided to show a couple printed quotes for books we printed on 100% PCW recycled paper. Then I compared those quotes to printing on non-recycled paper.

Example #1: 220 page book (soft cover) QTY: 100 or 500 books Pages: 220 pages plus cover Page Size: 5.5 x 8.5

Environmental Questions and Answers

Stock: 70# in 100% PCW text, and 100# in 100% PCW for the cover Print: 1/1 black for the text and 4 color for the cover Bind: Perfect Bound Cover: Soft Cover

Price: (Subject to Change)

QTY: 100 (100% PCW Price: $7.50 per book, or $750 total.

QTY: 100 (no recycled paper Price: $725 ................... $25 less .

QTY: 500 (100% PCW) Price: $6.90 per book or $3450.00 total.

QTY: 500 (non recycled paper) price: $3300.00........................ $150 less.

Example # 2: 48 Page book QTY: 100, 1000, 5000 books Page size: 6 x 9 Pages: 48 plus cover Print: 4/4 for both text and cover. Bind: Perfect Bind Stock: 70# text and 100# cover in 100% PCW Recycled

Price:

Using 100% PCW: 100 books was $11.00 per book or $1100.00 1000 books was $7.00 each or $7000.00 5000 books was $2.50 each or $12,500.00

Environmental Questions and Answers

Using non-recycled paper:

100 books .......... $10 less or $1090 1000 books .......... $100 less or $6900.00 5000 books .......... $500 less or $12,000.00

Bottom Line: The paper is not a factor on most books where the quantities are under 5000 books. And we shouldn’t forget the 100% post-consumer paper saves water, energy, pollution, landfill problems, incinerator problems, and avoids Dioxins from being created, that can poison us all.

What to look for when selecting a “green” print vendor?

Here are the questions you should ask:

1. Is the printer FSC certified? That will narrow your search. It takes a lot to be certified.

    

2. Does the printer stock Environmental paper, and if yes, what grades? If the house stock includes 100% post-consumer waste recycled, that is a strong indication that the printer is being environmental.

    

3. Does the printer use Soy Based or Vegetable Based Inks?

    

4. Does the printer use 100% nontoxic toner for digital?

    

5. Ask the printer to show you jobs where the FSC emblem was added.

    

6. Ask the printer if they are Carbon Neutral. Ask them if they know what that means.

    

7. Ask the printer if they are Green E certified. That certifies the plants use Wind, Solar or BioGas energy.

    

Environmental Questions and Answers

If you are not sure of their answers, please consider sending them to me. I am happy to help you pick the right environmental printer for your next job.

Are you buying environmentally sound business cards?

That seems like a crazy question to many people who think they are printing environmentally. Now, take your business cards and check them out. To be environmental, you should be using paper that is high in Post- Consumer Waste. 100% PCW is the best. You should be using paper that is Processed Chlorine Free. Only 100% PCW paper can be 100% PCF.

The inks should be 100% nontoxic toner for digital runs, and soy or vegetable based inks for offset runs. I would like you to use an environmental printing plant. FSC certified is preferable. You could ask if the printing plant is Green E certified. Do they use renewable energy, like Wind Power, or BioGas? Ask the plant to tell you the name of the paper. Not all papers are equal, environmentally.

What are your green options when it comes to promotional items?

Whether you have a trade show coming or you start thinking about the gifts you want to give your customers this year for the holidays, you might want to consider some eco-friendly options. They’re creative, fun, show your customers the environment is important to you and as you’ll see it can fit even a very tight budget ,and clients today are searching more than ever for green items.

Here are a couple of examples:

Eco Circles: 3” or 3.375” diameter, coaster looking , NETWORKING CARDS. Hand these out at ntworking parties, or trade shows, and the response is 10 times greater than traditional business cards. The next day, your circle card stands out from the 50 rectangle business cards.

Environmental Questions and Answers

We offer these at 6 up, on each print run.You can have 1 name or 6 names, or 3 names at 2 up, etc. We offer our entire Tree Free, and 100% PCW covers to you. We can quote 1 color up to 4 color for 1 side or both sides.

The Eco Circles are my most popular item bought as a promotional item. They create the most awareness and they are inexpensive, compared to flyers and brochures. Calendars: Printed on 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Paper. Many sizes available.

Corn Starch Bracelets: We have bracelets that are made from Corn Starch and there are 3 bracelets to a set. See the picture above, along with my Eco Circle card. You wear all 3 bracelets. The charm is engraved-Go Green. For 1000 sets, you can have your own company initials engraved. This is an inexpensive gift to give @ $3.75 per set. The corn starch bracelets, with the Go Green charm are my most popular gift.

Bookmarks: The standard size is 2 x 8 inches, printed on 100% recycled cover. 4 color/2 sides.

Environmental Coloring Books: “WHO I AM”, an interactive coloring book, an educational, kids coloring book printed on 100% PCW paper and teaches your children about the environment.

We reserved the inside covers for your company mission statement or ad.

The items we offer are under $5.00.

As you can see, price wise, the Eco Circles, coloring books and bracelets are all under $5 when you buy 100 at a time. If you buy over 1000 of them, the price is low.

Environmental Questions and Answers

How to prepare files for your next Green Digital run?

Digital printing has increased my Green printing sales. Most of our clients are smaller green entrepreneurs, and many are brand new to printing in general. I get a lot of questions from these young entrepreneurs, who want to do the environmentally correct print job, but struggle with preparing the files for us. This is also a good review for the seasoned designer.

When preparing your files, that have solid pantone colors in the graphics, do “not” convert your files to colors in the graphics, do “not” convert your files to CMYK. Most designers that know digital is printed in CMYK or RGB, think they need to convert the files to what they think we need.

But, we prefer you don’t do that. Our pre press equipment will automatically convert your files to what we need. We prefer to see your pantone color(s), and we then have your colors as a guide, as we do the conversion ourselves.

Sometimes, our equipment might convert to RGB, and sometimes your digital pictures will be printed as RGB automatically. You wouldn’t be able to foresee that we prefer that option.

We want to make being Green easy for you. We will do the extra work.

The same holds true on printing our 100% PCW or Tree Free business cards. Just give us 1 up files. Don’t impose them for us. The imposition is automatic.

The only thing that can hold you up is forgetting to add 1/8” bleed when the ink goes to the edge of the sheet. And, don’t put your copy closer than 1/4” from the edge. Remember -digital printing needs a little margin.

Environmental Questions and Answers

Are you looking for back to school environmental ideas?

We have couple of ideas today for parents, students, teachers and the school’s staff:

Students -When you need to do a short thesis or major report, we can help you. we have an On Demand printing department, which can be useful for printing from one small book report, up to as many as you need. We stock 100% post-consumer waste paper, and we print with 100% non toxic toner.

We can wire-o, saddle stitch or perfect bind your report. All you need to do is supply us with a PDF in hi res. If you need help with your files, we have a pre-press department. We lay out books or thesis reports, from supplied word documents. We can even design a cover for you.

Parents -Green education can definitely

begin at home with parents teaching their kids to be conscious of their environment, and they can make a difference. At the same time, there are tons of ideas if you want to reduce your kid’s footprint at school and even make them look cooler at the same time!

Start with how you pack their lunches. Try putting their water or juice in a reusable canteen made from recycled, stainless steel, that weighs only 27 ounces. Recycled, stainless steel eliminates the harmful chemical, Bisphrnol, found in plastic bottles. You will be helping the incredible build up of plastic bottles in our landfills.

Speaking of recycled materials, check out TerraCycle’s offers for schools -they have great and unique stuff made from recycled materials such as pencil cases made of cookie wrappers, or backpacks made of drink pouches, and they’re all in a very affordable price.

Environmental Questions and Answers

Teachers -Green Planet published a great guide on how to green for school teachers with many creative ideas. Check out this guide and here’s one more idea -how about bringing people who are involved with green practices to talk with your class? it can be a green architect, organic farmer and even your local green printer (we can help you find one!). We’re sure the kids will find it interesting to hear about experiences of people who chose a sustainable career.

School Staff -How about sending paperless memos and updates to parents? you don’t have to do it on on Twitter or Facebook, but you can definitely email memos to parents, send them periodically newsletters and even post on a website or a blog. Not only that you will be saving money on paper, toner and copy machine usage, but such a step can be a great fit with the the digital world your students (and their parents..) are living in.

Can directories be green?

Can your directories be considered green? That’s a tough question especially when so many directories, such as phonebooks, are considered junk mail (did you know every year in the US, households receive 540 million unsolicited phonebooks creating an additional 650,000 tons of trash?).

But the answer is Yes. It can be, and we’ll provide you some ground rules to follow to keep your directory green, with a specific example from Avi Publishing, publishers of “Our Green Book”, a directory of local green businesses and green organizations.

Rule no. 1: Provide your directories only to people who want them One of the main problems with directories is that they’re unsolicited advertising brought to your door, with no easy way to decline. You want to make it green -give it only to people who are actually interested in getting them. “Our Green Book” is an example how you can do it -this directory is handed out at Whole Foods and Green Apple Cleaners to people who want them. That’s it.

Environmental Questions and Answers

Rule no. 2: Use recycled and FSC-certified paper

Many directories are printed on non recycled stocks, which enhance their environmental impact. You should make sure you choose eco-friendly paper

that will minimize your footprint. Avi Publishing for example, chose a recycled coated grade that is FSC certified, and contains PCW content. Also, the inks used for the directory’s printing are vegetable based, and there are no chemicals used in setting up the press for printing.

Rule no. 3: Print close to distribution points “Our Green Book” is printed at the Quad plants closest to the distribution points, so their Carbon Footprint is minimized. The Chicago and NY editions are printed in NY, and the San Francisco and Los Angeles editions are printed in Reno, Neveda.

Rule no. 4: Optimize the directory’s size. You should optimize the directory’s size to prevent unnecessary waste. The size of “Our Green Book” was chosen to yield little paper waste. It is a digest size.

Rule no. 5: Provide an online option. There are people and businesses who might be interested in your directory, but still prefer an online version of printed one, and you should be able to provide them with this option. We do both email and print and can set up Interactive websites.

Are PDF files the best fit for every document?

I see an enormous change in the way the printing business is going, with more and more print documents being offered online, as a PDF.

PDF files are by nature more environmental as they’re saving paper, ink, etc. But the question is: Are PDF files the best fit for every document?

There are some cases where I like the hard copy, and where I also see an advantage for using both mediums.

Environmental Questions and Answers

We recommend reaching your clients by first doing an email blast to your excel names, and then following up with a postcard mailing, personalized to your list, only to those clients that did not read your emails. Only 5-10% read your email proposal. The postcards will reach the others.

Then, follow up with a final email blast.

Can green printing be done on a rush basis?

In one word: Yes! A green printer should not be any different from a regular printer and should be capable of providing you all the necessary green services even in the last minute.

Last year we did several rush jobs for Tony Blair and the Climate Group, for climate week in New York. We printed a 32 page brochure, double gate fold brochures, postcards and posters. The jobs were done in 48 hours, delivered to NYC.

We used 100% Post-Consumer Waste 65# for the 32 page, Self Cover Programs, and for the Double Gate Brochures , we used 100% post-consumer recycled paper, in 100# text. Here are couple of our capabilities which help your last minute orders:

1. You can use Recycled or Tree Free Paper.

We stock 100% post-consumer waste, recycled paper. We also can get many Tree Free papers in a rush.

2. Ability to Accept Large Files to expedite the process.

Our system allows you to email us up to 100 Meg files. You just click our upload buttons and your files are attached.

3. Correct Presses.

Environmental Questions and Answers

Digital presses move the fastest. We have Xerox Igens, Hewlett Packard Indigos, and our new Press Tech D.I. We can print larger orders and be competitive to offset, with our new DI.

In such last minute situations, it’s not only us who need to work quickly and efficiently. You should be ready to do the same. Here are some tips that will help us to make it in time:

1. File Preparation.

Like any rush job, it is preferable to save your files as a hi res PDF. Also, check to make sure your files have bleed, if needed. Don’t impose your files. Our software does that to our preferred layout.

2. Be Ready to OK the (soft) proofs. If not, you lose valuable time. Let us know who else can ok your work.

How do you save money on your next print job?

Saving money is the first priority of many businesses and organizations who need print jobs, and we get many questions on how you can go green and still save money. As we wrote here before there’s no contradiction between the two, and I would like to suggest a couple of ideas on how it can be done.

1. Ask for alternative papers that are comparable to what you are looking for. I have a few ideas on saving you money.

A. Use Sugar Cane Tree Free paper instead of Seed paper Seed paper is one of the most expensive papers on the market today. My clients

cringe when I tell them each 13 x 19 sheet is $4.00. If you can get away from having the seeds grow into flowers when disposing the paper, I like sugar Cane as a substitute. It is Tree Free, and looks recycled. It is 1/10th the price.

Environmental Questions and Answers

B. Use 80# uncoated text in 100% PCW, when switching from 100# gloss recycled text for your next run The uncoated text paper bulks higher than coated paper. The 80# text would feel as thick as the 100# coated text, and save you 25% in the amount of pounds of paper needed. This would also save money on postage for any mailing jobs.

C. Use a 90 bright white grade, instead of 96 bright white for your newsletters

That would save you $700, if you needed 500 pounds of paper. Our 90 bright 100% PCW paper is half the price of our 96 brightness papers in 100% PCW. If you needed 5000 pounds of paper, that is a huge $7000 savings.

2. Let your printer or your agency suggest alternative page sizes

Sometimes ½” can make a big difference in your print bill. I just asked a client to go from 10” x 4” to 9.5” x 4”, on their flat size, and we saved our client a ton of money,. We ran a 13 x 19 sheet, and I could get 6 for the smaller size from the 13 x 19 size sheet, instead of 4 out.

Another example is our own landfill brochure. We had a page size of

6.5 x 6.5 inch for our 28 page plus cover brochures. We could only get two up on our 13 x 19 size digital paper. By making the page size 6 x 6, we could run 3 up, and since we had 8 forms, that saved us over 30% on our print costs.

What is rock paper and why is it considered a Green paper?

I’m not sure how many people have heard of this paper but rock paper is made from approximately 85% Calcium Carbonate, found in Limestone. Here are some of the things you should know and take into consideration about rock paper:

Environmental Questions and Answers

The environmental aspects.

1. There is no water used in making this line of paper. With a world wide water shortage, this is becoming as big an environmental plus, as landfill waste.

    

2. There is a huge savings in energy to make rock paper. What are the most common uses of rock paper? Rock paper is available in 4PT and 5 PT for labels, soap wraps, and brochures, and heavier weights, like 16 PT, for boxes, pocket folders, business cards, etc. It looks like dull coated paper, and prints like coated paper. The ink colors are vibrant, and pop out.

    

Why should I use it anyway and not recycled paper?

Rock paper is terrific for labels that need to last a long time, and brochures that need additional strength. The rock paper is tear resistant, and is waterproof. And, Rock Paper has a distinct feel. When I give out business cards on rock paper, everyone comments on how cool this line feels. It has a satin type feel.

Is it more expensive to use rock paper in comparison with recycled paper?

Rock paper is less expensive than other durable sheets such as Yupo, the paper used in the award winning book by William McDonough and Michael

Braungart “Cradle to Cradle”. It is 70% less than Yupo. Compared to the higher priced, coated recycled grades and our 96 brightness lines in 100% PCW, it is approximately 20% higher in price, which may equate to a print price of 10% more.

Any cons?

Rock paper can only be printed via offset or digitally, on an Indigo press, which we own. So, I guess you call us.

Environmental Questions and Answers

How can graphic designers make a difference and green up your printing job?

Lately, I have had graphic designers come to me “before” they design their next project. I like that. If you want to print an environmental brochure, or you have any other printing job you want to do in an environmentally sound manner, you need to plan it correctly.

Here are the questions you and your designer need to go over:

1. The size of the brochure

You want to eliminate paper waste. Most paper comes in increments of 8.5 x 11 or 9 x 12. Designing a brochure to be 7 x 10 may look good, but you will be wasting 1.5 x 1 inches of paper for each 8.5 x 11 sheet needed for your brochure. Figure in bleed. Printers need 1/8” bleed on all 4 sides. If the bleed size is now 8.75 x 11.25, you are still OK. If the bleed size is 9.25 x 12.25, you have exceeded the multiples of 9 x 12.

In the first example, a printer can take paper from a standard mill size 25 x 38 inches. In the second example, there will be a lot of waste paper. There is no slightly larger size paper than 25 x 38.

2. Inks to use

Metallic and florescent inks are not environmental. Try to design your brochure using standard pantone colors, and not metallics. The designer should request soy or vegetable based inks. If the job is digital, the designer should request 100% non toxic toner.

3. Type of paper (brand)

Hopefully, your designer is up to date on the environmental papers. Ask your designer if they know the definition of recycled paper, the definition of chlorine free paper, and what is post-consumer waste, etc. If the designer is not up on these terms, please have that person call me.

Environmental Questions and Answers

The biggest problem I see in environmental printing is lack of knowledge in paper. Some people think an FSC certified paper is terrific. It might not be. FSC primarily is protecting the forests, which is good. But, you also want to protect the streams and waterways leading away from the paper mills. FSC paper that is also 100% Processed Chlorine Free, will avoid having Dioxins being dumped in those precious waterways. Dioxin is an extremely toxic chemical that can cause cancer to fish, wildlife and eventually us.

FSC paper that is also 100% post-consumer waste recycled (100% PCW), will eliminate the printed waste from going to our overcrowded landfills and incinerator plants.

4. Foils and Engraving

These items can make your job look great, but are harmful to the environment. If you need to use a foil, try to keep the size(s) to a minimum. Sometimes, a blind emboss, instead of a foil emboss, is just as effective, and does not present an environmental issue.

How to create a green packaging job?

OK, so you did everything you needed to green up your printing job, whether it’s a new brochure, reports, or promotional materials for your customers. But what about packaging?

Sometimes we tend to forget this part, but not only does packaging have its own footprint, it’s also a visible part that represents your business. The box is no less Important, than what’s inside of it, and therefore it’s important to green it up as much as you can, making sure all the components you send talk the same language: the sustainable one.

Environmental Questions and Answers

So here are couple of things you can do when it comes to packaging:

1.Use 100% post-consumer waste paper, and less coated stock.

2. Eliminate plastic in the construction of your boxes.

Packaging and box making use enormous amounts of plastic. We have a way to eliminate (90%) of the plastic.

USE E-FLUTE for platforms, instead of vacuum form or injection molding. Our platforms are 100% recycled, are recyclable, and besides saving our environment from all the unwanted plastic in the items you buy everyday, we can save the buyer a ton of money.

You will save money and be environmental: The dies are 1/10th the price of what vacuum form/injection molding dies cost. This would be a revolutionary, environmental change in our packaging.

I am having a kraft box made to send my sample kits in and will be able to show my clients the platforms made from recycled material, instead of plastic.

1. Design your box to have minimal waste of paper.

    

2. Print with soy based inks.

    

3. Use a plant that is environmental to start with. FSC, Wind E, etc.

    

Need a recommendation about a manufacturer of “green” packaging supplies? Call Greg Barber at 973.224.1132.

What new developments have surfaced in Green papers?

1. Mohawk Paper

A. Beckett Cambric

Environmental Questions and Answers

They have introduced 100% post-consumer waste fiber to this prestigious line. Cambric has a linen finish, and I recommend this paper for stationery orders. Cambric is FSC certified and produced using Wind energy.

B. Options PC 100

Mohawk has added an I-Tone finish to their flagship 100% PCW line.The I-Tone finish allows this grade to print heavy solid coverage on the new Indigo presses. The printing on this paper allows for a flat finish, like offset printing. Options PC 100 is FSC certified and produced using Wind Energy.

C. Loop

I recommend this 100% PCW line when you need darker colors, like kraft. Also, Loop has 4 different finishes. I make a lot of pocket folders on this line. Loop is FSC certified and produced using Wind Energy.

2. Neenah Paper

A. Environment

This is the leader in the industry for 100% PCW and Tree Free. Environment has added Tree Free Bamboo / Sugar Cane, mixed with 50% PCW. The resulting line comes in two natural colors and white. I do a lot of postcards and business cards, and stationery on this addition. Their 100% PCW lines have expanded to 5-6 colors. Environment is FSC certified, and Green E certified.

B. Classic Linen/Laid/and Crest Neenah added 100% PCW to all three finishes. These papers have been used for over 30 years, and are the standard for quality text papers. I recommend them for brochures and high quality stationery orders. Like all of my recommendations, these papers are FSC and Green E certified.

Environmental Questions and Answers

They added a recycled version. This paper separates sections in a brochure, etc.

Pricing: These papers are moderately priced. The one advantage of printing on uncoated papers, is they bulk higher than coated papers, and you can use a lighter sheet to accomplish your thickness needed. For instance, you could use an 80# weight, instead of a 100# weight in coated. That would save 25% in paper bought. Also, these lines feature 100% post-consumer waste, which I promote the most.

What does I-Tone mean?

The I-Tone finish is a clear finish, added to the paper, that allows for better print results. I-Tone papers guarantee exceptionally consistent HP electronic transfer and adhesion resulting in better performance, higher productivity, and ultimately lower prices.

I-Tone papers are manufactured with Wind Power, and the grades I promote are the 100% post-consumer or recycled I-Tone selections.

Mohawk was named an HP INDIGO PREFERRED PARTNER by Hewlett Packard, for the I-Tone surface treatment that offers optimized performance in 4 color png, and for the way heavy solids look, when printed on the I-Tone selection papers.

This new technology comes in Options PC 100. Options PC 100 is 100% post-consumer waste recycled, and 100% processed chlorine free. Like most Mohawk papers, Options is manufactured using Wind energy, and is an FSC certified paper.

Mohawk has an I-Tone Selections swatch book. I use it to remind me which grades from Mohawk can be printed on our Indigo presses. Here are the names of those papers, found in their swatch book:

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Mohawk Options, Mohawk Superfine, Strathmore Script Pinstripe, Beckett Expressions, Beckett Cambric, Mohawk Via Linen, Mohawk Via Felt and Mohawk Via Satin.

This is a good cross section of their papers. They have smooth, vellum, and textured papers, and we have state of the art printing , when using their I-Tone lines.

These papers are moderately priced, but the true savings is in the printing. We have no minimums, when printing digitally. We can print a 4 color brochure for under $500, that would cost over $1000 on a conventional 4-6 color press.

The key with the I-Tone finish is you can’t tell the difference between digital and offset. My own Landfill Brochure has fooled the best print critics. We chose Options PC 100 and our 28 page brochure looks like we printed on a huge 6 color press. No glare or unwanted shine, that you see in most digital printing.

Are there inexpensive Green papers for brochures?

Cascades, formerly known as Rolland Paper, from Canada, was one of the first paper mills that I featured, along my 20 year mission. They developed one of the first 100% post-consumer waste papers, and that grade was called New Life DP. For many years I sold that grade to the government under a GSA contract I was awarded.

Approximately four years ago, Rolland became Cascades, and New Life DP became Enviro 100. I certainly agreed with the new name, and Enviro is one of my favorite environmental papers.

The reasons are:

1. Enviro prints well.

    

2. Enviro is third party certified for 100% PCW and 100% PCF.

    

3. Enviro has terrific bulk in their text & cover weights.

    

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1. Enviro is “priced” to compete against non environmental papers.

    

2. Enviro comes in 20# for Xerox and laser work.

    

3. Enviro has good opacity.

    

4. Enviro has been my house sheet for 10 years and we have gotten rave reviews from many of our clients.

    

Enviro comes in 50#,60#, 70#, 80# and 100# text and 80# and 100# cover, as well as the 20# for Xerox jobs.

When young designers ask me if they can switch their clients to being environmental and be price competitive, I tell them Enviro is priced like an inexpensive opaque paper, but prints like an expensive text line.

I have an example on my website at www.gregbarberco.com of saving one client $7000, on the paper alone on a brochure job, that needed 5000 pounds of paper. The savings on Enviro was the reason we both got the job.

The Cascades mill uses BioGas for their energy. They are FSC certified, and they are less than 10 hours from our market, which helps the carbon footprint.

As I mentioned, I have a very good experience with the Enviro -I have done jobs for Diesel Jeans, Feed LLC, Gaia Soil, several art galleries, and many colleges and universities. I also sold to the EPA, and the U.S Fish & Wildlife the 20# paper, during my GSA contract days, with great results.

Can we be Greener in our use of Inter Office Envelopes, Presentation Folders, and Outgoing Envelopes?

I have done my research, and my answer is a definite YES, and we are saving you money doing it!

I recommend using the patented Conformer products. Their Inter Office Envelopes are made from 100% post-consumer (Milk Jugs), which means you

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are saving plastic from going to the landfills, and using really strong Inter Office Envelopes. They expand to hold twice as much “stuff”. And, at the end of the day, these envelopes can be used again, eliminating all the waste from going into the garbage. Many companies already recognized the potential of these Inter Office Envelopes and reuse them multiple times.

Next, we have the Conformer Presentation Folders. They truly expand to 1/2” or 1”. The construction of the expansion pockets is in the top and bottom of each pocket, and on the spine. This patented construction eliminates the need for re-enforced edges, and lamination coating (which is not recyclable). The paper is thick and FSC certified.

Finally, you can put these strong and expandable presentation folders into an even stronger translucent recycled plastic envelope that also has the Conformer expansion on all 4 sides. Direct Mail agencies tell us that the response rates go way up when potential clients can see the Pocket Folder or whatever is put into these patented, translucent envelopes.

The Conformer Expansion Envelopes are made from Recycled Milk Jugs, which enhances the strength. No need to buy Tyvek envelopes or even boxes. Your products will ship safely in these mailers.

Your savings begins to mount, as the shipping weights go down, and the visual look of your mailing goes up. Not using boxes, eliminates the plastic tape and over packing on the insides.

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Can you Green your Print Advertising?

In this highly competitive market, with seminars on social networking and everyone hustling for new ways to increase market share, we have a new Green advertising print idea.

The huge social networking movement has spilled over into green parties and green networking events, and these events need coasters at the bar. The coasters are placed on the bar or surrounding tables, and the networking crowds are encouraged to take the coasters home. The bartenders replace the coasters as needed. We also offer our Eco Circles for bar coaster and business card handouts at trade shows.

What can we do to reduce the carbon footprint of direct mailing campaigns?

I attended a sustainable meeting at NYU last week and came away with a few good Green tips on direct marketing -how to make it effective and minimize its footprint at the same time.

There is no secret here and it’s actually quite simple -if you look at your clients and really decide to target what it is they really want, you can create a direct mail program that will give you better results, be environmental, and save trees, paper, energy, water and money.

First step: Make your list of names targeted to these best clients, or the ones that can do you the most. Look at their history of their buying. What did they buy, and when did they buy, and how much did they spend? Make a new print campaign that targets those wants and desires.

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Personalize by name, products, time frame, and do a mailing that might be 20% of your present mailing list, but targeted to their past history of buying.

It’s all about personalizing your marketing.

Second step: Even though you already eliminate waste by sending this printing only to past customers, don’t forget to use 100% recycled paper that is 100% processed chlorine free for the materials you’re sending. Third step: You can also email to this targeted audience on a second run, that will not only help you to minimize your campaign’s footprint, but can also be an helpful tool to estimate the effectiveness of your campaign and even further personalize your database for future campaigns.

Personalized marketing brings in 5 times better results. Telecommunications company I saw the results of, did a 49 per cent return by doing their homework. They knew the people they mailed to were ready for an upgrade. They showed a picture of what the present phone was, of each recipient, and then showed 3 new models that might interest that client. They also showed the nearest store to each person they mailed to.

The national average for successful responses is under 1%, and the company I am referring to, had a 49% response rate. They mailed to a fraction of their names, but did so well that the fulfillment department asked that the program be stopped until they caught up.

So, this firm not only made good business and presented impressive ROI (return on investment) but saved trees, paper, water, and the carbon footprint was reduced for the people they sent to, by telling them where the nearest store was.

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Can I give a quick list of things to do to be more environmental?

Recycle More.

1. Use more PCW content in your next print job.

    

2. Make sure the paper was environmentally bleached.

    

3. Make sure you use non toxic inks or toners.

    

4. Ask if the plant is FSC certified.

    

5. Ask where the plant derives their energy from.

    

6. Ask the printer to tell you if your size is best for their press.

    

7. Ask the printer for suggestions on paper that is more environmental.

    

8. Check with Greg Barber on what we think.

    

How to produce the greenest hang tags?

This question comes up a lot and I like to suggest several options.

Diesel Jeans once asked me if I could get hang tags made out of Rock & minerals for their new Organic Jeans lines. This paper, as you recall, is made from Limestone and Calcium Carbonate, is water proof and tear resistant.

It prints like a dull coated cover and the tactile feel of the paper is really cool. But, I needed 12 weeks to produce the hang tag order. They were using a coated sheet with film lamination and I said I had an alternative.

My recommendation was to switch to Double Thick 100% Post-Consumer Waste recycled cover. That meant two 100# covers, glued together to create a 200# hangtag. The thickness became 26 point, and there was no need for film lamination, as at that thickness, the hangtags would not rip.

The environmental advantage was enormous. They switched from a non recycled stock, with film lamination, to a 100% recycled grade, that is 100% chlorine free and is Green E certified. We punched the hole, and strung their hangtags with Hemp string.

And the price? Our 100% PCW cover is under 90 cents per pound, which is half the price of most 100% post-consumer grades of paper. We kept the price low and made Diesel look terrific to their environmental client base on their organic jeans.

This is definitely a win win. So, switch your hangtags to 100% recycled, and save our environment.

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Is Tree Free Hemp Paper still available? Yes. We used to carry a Hemp Blend a few years back, made by the Crane Paper Mill. That line was discontinued and we now have a Hemp Line again. Recently, my firm brought Hemp Paper into stock in two cover weights and 1 text weight. We feature 110# cover for making business cards and postcards and for invitation printing.

Hemp comes in a natural cream color, and has specs in the paper, making it look recycled as well as tree free. Hemp is mixed with Post-Consumer Waste and is tree free, or void of tree fiber.

We also have matching envelopes in 4.375 x 5.5 (A-2),

4.75 x 6.5 (A-6), and 5.25 x 7.25 (A-7) invitation sizes. We also have envelopes in a #10 size to accommodate letterheads. The color of the Hemp paper is a natural light brown color.

And the price? The hemp paper is 50% higher than our 100% PCW lines, but it’s still affordable. For example: $60 for 500 business cards versus $90 for Hemp business cards.

We also are carrying Tree Free papers in Bamboo, Sugar Cane, Lemon, Mango, Coffee, and Banana. Like the Hemp, these plants are mixed with Post-Consumer waste to make the new paper.

Finally, here’s another interesting fact about hemp and hemp paper: George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both grew hemp and Ben Franklin owned a mill that made hemp paper. Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence on hemp paper.

Do I have a Green Marketing Give Away for Trade Shows?

I have the 3” die done, and we can run any paper on our Eco Circles.

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We print around the circumference of these circles a tagline that says, printed on Tree Free Mango or tree Free Banana or Tree Free Coffee or Tree Free Lemon or Tree Free Sugar Cane with soy based inks using Green E energy, etc.

These cards will make a huge impact on those people that receive them. The price is reasonable and we will have the final costs soon. Compared to pads or bookmarks, this is an inexpensive, environmentally friendly idea, and I personally know it works to have people really read the cards and remember you.

What should we look for in buying copier paper? The copier paper market is a huge market in terms of paper bought. Probably, in the trillions of pounds bought each year. The copier market comes in several categories. One is the non-recycled category, another is the 30% recycled category, and the last one is the 100% recycled market.

Environmentally, the 100% recycled market is the way to go, if you can afford the extra price. If you do, you are helping to keep 70% of the previous waste paper from being landfilled, or incinerated.

If you buy 100% recycled copier paper, that paper is entirely made from previous “printed” paper, which is 100%PCW If you buy 30% recycled, then 70% of the remaining content is made from trees, or pre-consumer waste, and then millions of pounds of printed paper will not go back to the mills to make new paper. Instead, that paper will go to our over crowded landfills, or incinerated, releasing toxic fumes into our environment.

Although there is no way to figure the true cost difference between 30% PCW versus 100%PCW paper, let me try. The less recycled paper is bleached with Chlorine Dioxide and chlorine mixed with other chemicals in the paper making process will cause Dioxins to formulate. Dioxins seeping into our waterways, and it will, can cause cancer.

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The 70% printed paper now needed to be landfilled will cost the tax payer money. So if we have an $8.00 per carton difference between 30% PCW and 100% PCW paper, the hidden costs will need to be considered. How much money is spent on cancer research, and cancer treatment, not to mention loss of life and loss of human productivity, and unemployment payments, etc.

What does that equal in cost per carton? What is the cost per carton to each of us to pay the taxes on running landfills, and incinerator plants?

So the $8.00 per carton difference is really a lot less if you could add these hidden costs to the real cost per carton of the less recycled paper.

To make sure you are getting the correct paper, if you are buying the 100% recycled copier paper that is manufactured only with post-consumer waste paper, look for the emblems printed on the cartons and the packages.

You need to see 100% PCW. You need to see 100% PCF, which stands for Processed Chlorine Free. The 100% PCW recycled papers are bleached with Oxygen or Hydrogen Peroxide, and NOT chlorine. You should also look for the FSC and the Wind E emblems, as well.

So, consider all factors when considering the extra money in being more environmental. You would be helping future generations deal with our mess, and our health issues, and your actual cost per carton may not be the $8.00 per carton you originally were dealing with. We might be saving money in the long run, and living a cleaner life now.

Is Direct mail dead?

No. It’s the age of the Internet e-mail marketing, social networking and blogs. So why would you do printed, direct mail marketing? No one reads that stuff...do they?

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Well, you might be surprised. According to the USPS, advertising mail represented 63% of all mail received by households in 2008. Of that, 79% of households either read or scan advertising mail sent to their household and 11% respond and take action.

Compare this to e-mail marketing: research indicates the average open-rate for marketing e-mail is about 10%, and the click-through/take-action rate is only 2.28%. I’m not a numbers person (is there a graphic designer who is?), but it’s pretty clear that direct mail is far from finished. There are some things to keep in mind when designing direct mail to increase the chances of your potential customer following through:

1. Take advantage of variable data printing. When I started out, there was one main option for printing in color: offset printing. How times have changed. Not only is it affordable to digitally print short-runs of your printing projects, it’s possible to customize your projects using variable data printing (VDP). For example, say you’re designing for an organization’s annual fundraiser. If the organization has a database of past donors, including their names, and the years and amounts they’ve previously donated, it’s easy to print that information right in the body of your piece. It personalizes the experience and can make a call for cash less of an intrusion and more of an appeal.

    

2. Have a clear call to action. A few years ago, I got a letter asking me to support the Fourth of July fireworks display in my town. I take my kids to that event every year and was ready, pen in hand, to write a check. I scoured the letter only to find that there was no return address, no phone number and no way to easily send the money. Sure, I could have looked up the number and contacted them, but expecting your recipients to do that is expecting too much. I never sent the check. Make sure you provide a clear way to respond to your

    

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direct mail. Is there a number to call? A Web site to visit? Make it obvious.

1. Speaking of websites, use yours to track the results of your direct mail campaign. Personalized URLs or Web addresses that incorporate the recipient’s name are becoming more and more widely used. At the very least, each direct mail piece that goes out should have a dedicated phone extension or Web landing page, so that you can track your results.

    

2. Design something different. I often save a few weeks worth of direct mail I receive, so that I can have a base of real-world samples. I’ll spread them out on my desk to look at them. Then, I’ll design something that looks different. If I’m seeing a lot of close crops of faces, I’ll pick and image with a person far away, or, even more likely, avoid a picture of a face at all.

    

Lots of primary colors? I’ll go for an off-shade of green. Not many large fields of color? Maybe, that would work for my design. You can’t steer clear of all existing designs, but you want to make your direct mailing stand out. The best way to get a feel for what’s out there is to look at some of it with a critical eye.

One of the best things about direct mail is that even on a smaller budget, you can get great results.

Is Free Tree Bamboo Good for Printing Books?

That is a good question. Many of my clients are afraid of using Tree Free paper.They think this paper will fall apart. Actually, the bamboo paper is strong, and looks like normal paper.

Neenah Paper now carries this line under the umbrella of their Environment line. Their swatch book, which is my favorite, includes 100% post-consumer

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waste, 80% PCW waste, and 30% PCW, plus Bamboo mixed with Sugar Cane fiber. See our Ebook at ecofriendlyprinter.com

We have these papers in large size sheets in both the text and cover weight. That makes it possible to run large quantity books on our 40” presses. We also can cut the paper to digital sizes, for the On Demand Market.

We offer both small runs digitally, and large runs via offset. Bamboo, mixed with Sugar Cane and PCW is chlorine free, FSC certified, and Wind E certified. And the price? The price point is higher than our 100% PCW line, and the less expensive, and less environmental lines that contain 30% PCW.

What are the best paper calculators available online?

Paper calculator is a very useful tool to help you quantify the benefits of using eco-friendly paper. There are some great online calculators that we would like to recommend on:

1. The EDF paper calculator The Environmental Defense Fund’s calculator is a very user-friendly calculator that “shows the environmental impacts of different papers across their full lifecycle.”

You choose the type of the paper, quantity per year and % of post-consumer and receive in return the impacts of your choice in terms of wood use, net energy, greenhouse gases, wastewater and solid waste. What I like about this calculator is that it gives you the option to compare between several papers, so this way you can compare for example the differences of using 30%PCW and 100%PCW. The Paper Calculator is based on research done by the Paper Task Force, a peer-reviewed study of the lifecycle environmental impacts of paper production and disposal, and the underlying data are updated regularly.This calculator got many good reviews as you can read on the testimonials page. Here’s one of them: “The Paper

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Calculator is an intelligent, flexible and comprehensive tool which has helped Dell identify and quantify significant internal environmental savings opportunities and assisted the company’s green focus.”-Tod Arbogast, Director, Dell Sustainable Business

1. ECO Paper Calculator of Neenah Paper This is also a very good calculator that gives you the option to learn about the environmental of your choices. Only here it shows you how much you save by choosing a certain % of PCW. As Neenah explains at the bottom of the calculator page, the environmental impact estimates for savings pertaining to the use of post consumer recycled fiber share the same common reference data as the Environmental Defense Fund paper calculator v2.0 (which is based on research done by the Paper Task Force). What I like about this calculator is that they try to make the data more relevant for the user by translating the figures into examples we can all relate to. For example,using 30% PCW for 2 lb. of paper will save 6 gallons of water, which equals to an eight minute shower. Using 100%PCW for 10 lb. of paper will save you 4 lb. of solid waste, which equals to the amount of trash thrown away by one person in one day.

    

2. Mohawk Environmental Calculator Mohawk Fine Paper also have a very good calculator. It’s very user-friendly. You fill in information about the number of lb. (or kg) of paper you want to use, the Post-Consumer recycled percentage, coated or not coated, do you want it to be made with wind power or not, and do you want it to be made carbon neutral. Afterwords you click on ‘calculate savings’ and get the savings in terms of trees, water, wastewater, solid waste, greenhouse gases and energy. Mohawk’s data is also based on the research done by the Paper Task Force.

    

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Mohawk’s calculator doesn’t let you compare two types or more of alternatives in one calculation like the EDF and Neenah do. On the other hand, the presentation here is much more graphic, it’s easy to bookmark or email calculations, and you can even download the calculator to your computer (it’s only 1MB)!

You can find the calculator on the bottom right side of the homepage (third line in the blue part, just below to ‘Merchant Login’). You’re welcome to check all of these calculators and choose the one that is the best fit for your paper needs. In any case, we hope you’ll make a good use of them.

Can Even Hip-Hop “GO GREEN”?

YES, Absolutely!

Hip-Hop music at its core aggregates sounds from many sources to create its unique & ever-permeating music. In essence, it “recycles” sound from both popular & obscure past recordings, bringing new life to the sound bytes in a fresh, new context, composition & form. (it’s no wonder it’s thrived as a major international art platform through Dance, Music, Rap/Poetry, Visual Arts, Fashion, Philosophy & Education).

So how can the “Hip-Hop” make a difference? The basic steps still apply, don’t litter & teach your kids not to, It always starts with the adults in society & educating the community is always a great start.

In the 1970’s, Pioneering leaders of the Hip-Hop movement like “Afrika Bambaataa” & “DJ Kool Herc” brought the “GOOD” into the “HOOD”, encouraging & inspiring creativity & non-violent expression to get away from the gang influences of the day. Environmental responsibility is an extension of that work. The idea of keeping ones neighbor-hood “clean” leads to keeping ones mind “clean” & works to project this concept further. Hip-hop music from the 1980’s-mid’ 90’s are exemplary of this commitment. Lyrics

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were fun, educational, full of peace & community spirit, whilst still having the playful competition of skills building show through.

In the 90’s, the norm for printed fliers for events were large, over-sized & glossy (& usually with the same exact information on both sides, littering the streets & the clubs). Now event producers are much more aware of their impact, and much promotion is done on the Internet to go viral & cut costs. With the advent of ecofriendly digital printing, we now have better choices for our printing & this also makes us more aware of “who” & “where” we market our performances & products.

As a promoter, If you have all your event information set on the front side of your flyer, why not donate the back of your flyer to a cause you support? or better yet, place information that can educate your reader in the process of promoting your events.

If you set the tone & be the example, others will follow.

Graffiti & Urban artists are always looking for the best ways to publish their works w/ the least impact to the environment.

Designer & hip-hop educator, SpazeCraft of Soh Nup Ink has created an ecohealth project called “Hip-Hop(e) for Healing” that educates the masses on Health awareness, Disease prevention & Eco-impact using Hip-Hop Arts as the catalyst.

Soh Nup Ink partnered with Greg Barber to release a series of (business cards sized) eco-health tips that are simple, easy ways to make real impact in your own lives right now. Take these tips with you grocery shopping to make excellent choices in produce selection (especially when “Organic” is not an option).

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SpazeCraft is a pioneer of the Hip-Hop “education” movement & is committed to bringing best practices in environmental advocacy & health awareness to the hip-hop community & linking the experts with the masses. for more information on how to become a Responsible Partner in your community: sohnup@gmail.com & for updates in the hip-hop & urban arts community go to: http://blog.sohnup.com/

Do I have any new green printing ideas for you?

I am always on the look out for new ways to promote my firm and to recommend these new ideas to other firms. Recently, we did an invitation for the NFL that was printed on SEED paper for their annual. Seed Paper has Wild Flower seeds embedded in the paper, and after the recipient reads their invitation, they can plant it in their garden and Wild Flowers will grow.

Every morning that person will see their Wild Flowers and think about the NFL. Why not think about doing that for yourself or your company?

Seed Paper is very expensive, but the lasting image of the Wild Flowers, may actually make the printing cost seem reasonable. I am expanding my Seed Paper marketing to include our Eco Circles, found at my website www.ecofriendlyprinter.com. On the left side , click Eco Circles.

Environmental Questions and Answers

I feature Tree Free paper made from the remains of the Mango, Banana, Lemon and Coffee plants, mixed with 100% PCW, and I am now adding Seed Paper to these Social Media Networking Cards.

Seed Paper comes in many different colors. Because the paper is so unique, we recommend printing in 1 or 2 colors. Four color printing is a lot more money. We see use of Seed paper for business cards, and postcards and wedding invitations. Think of a new beginning and think of the beautiful Wild Flowers :)

How to green up your banners? Today we have many more green options when it comes to making banners. For example, we have been printing biodegradable banners from Bioflex, which will biodegrade in a landfill in 5 years.

We also have a natural, new environmental banner. Made from PET, which

In other words, these banners are made from recycled plastic bottles and containers. This is a winner. We keep the plastic from going to the

landfills and we make the recycled plastic into beautiful banners.

We have supplied the U.S Green Building Council, now called Urban Green Council, and CENYC, now called GrowNYC, and many other environmental groups with these durable and terrific printing banners, made from recycled

Environmental Questions and Answers

plastic. Add the ceramic industry to our network of believers. NCECA used our banners in Philadelphia at their annual show.

Here’s an example of a PET banner we did for Ride Amigos, which arranges rides to events by grouping riders together. This way it saves fuel and money for these people. Also, many environmental riders have become friends and share their resources.

Most of the designers want to know how to create the files for these banners, so they won’t look low res. My simple advice is this. Write the two dimensions down, such as 4’ x 8’ and then divide both dimensions in half. With the above size, you would come up with 2’ x 4’, when dividing both dimensions in half. Now save the files at 400 DPI, for the half size.

We will enlarge the banner 4 times to 4 x 8 foot, and the resulting DPI is 100 DPI, at the size we want. We can now print your banners with the quality you desire.

PET banners look like Vinyl banners, but are environmental and look and last as good as the non environmental, vinyl banners that we need to eliminate. And it gets even better -PET banners are cheaper than vinyl banners! Our price for PET banners is $8 per square foot. Last but not least -PET banners will biodegrade in a landfill.

PET is the type of plastic labeled with the #1 code on or near the bottom of bottles and containers and is commonly used to package soft drinks, water, juice, peanut butter, salad dressings and oil, cosmetics and household cleaners.

Special tip for Earth Day!

What Does Denis Hayes, the FOUNDER of Earth Day advise us to do now to keep their mission going? It is time to review where we stand, heading into Earth Day.

Last night I attended a screening of Earth Days, a movie coming out shortly, that is a review of “40 Years of Going Green”

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The filmmaker is Robert Stone and the ORIGINAL Earth Day coordinator, Denis Hayes, were at the screening and we got to hear from them after this absolutely, terrific movie.

I was like a kid, and asked for Denis to autograph my invitation. That is the one and only autograph I have ever gotten in my lifetime. I told him that I started my Environmental Printing business at the 20th Anniversary of Earth Day. So his dream became my reality in forming my business. It was funny how they said there were no Twitter, Linkedin or Facebook to help spread the word on the first Earth Day.

They went on TV, they got magazines to feature them, they worked around the clock to make it happen, and it was a bi-partisan effort in our government to support this hugely, successful 1st Earth Day.

THEIR ADVICE: Their panel told us we need to energize ourselves, and keep their vision going. We need to encourage our friends to be environmental, and to not forget how our rivers and streams were so polluted, and how the smog in California was so bad, events got canceled. Just don’t get lazy and complacent. Push for a better planet.

Don’t put all our baskets in Climate Change. We need to control our population, and we need to save our natural resources, and conserve our energy, etc. It was also funny to hear that President Nixon should be known as one of the most environmental Presidents.

The USEPA and many first environmental laws came because he pushed for them.

So, here we are 40 years later, and we all need to to our part to protect OUR environment.

Environmental Questions and Answers

You can choose to print on 100% Post-Consumer recycled paper. You can choose to use 100% Processed Chlorine Free paper. You can choose to be FSC. You can choose to use a Green E Energy Printer and Paper Mill. You can choose to call me. Happy Earth Day!

How to green your wedding with eco-friendly invitations?

Many couples want to have their day be environmental as well as beautiful. They ask us what we would recommend.

I tell them they can print their wedding invitations on 100% recycled paper or Tree Free paper, and have them printed using soy inks.

We stock both 100% Post-Consumer Waste Recycled Paper and Tree Free Paper in both white and natural, earth colors. We print with Soy Based inks, and we feature Green E energy, and low VOC (volatile organic compounds). We have added a few other papers that have been used for weddings. One is Seed paper. There are seeds embedded in the 100% PCW recycled paper, and the invitations can be planted in the garden and Wild Flowers will grow. Also, we have paper made from Limestone and Minerals (Rock Paper) called TerraSkin that is a waterproof stock that looks like a dull coated paper and was used to print a 4-color invitation.

Other paper options include Bamboo, Hemp, Sugar Cane, Lemon, Coffee, Banana and Mango papers. These options are mixed with Post-Consumer fiber, and are considered tree free.

The normal wedding invitation set includes a 5 x 7 invitation, 4.125 x 5.5 reply card, and envelopes that are 5.25 x 7.25 and 4.375 x 5.5. Direction cards, and Seating Cards and Save The Date Cards can be added to complete your environmental wedding invitations.

Environmental Questions and Answers

A set of invitations, using 100% Post-Consumer Recycled paper and 1 color, black soy inks cost approximately $450. That would be for up to 225 sets. Seed paper invitations might run 3-4 times this price. Bamboo or Sugar Cane is approximately $650.

Are there any eco-friendly labels?

One of the largest users of plastic is the label industry. White poly based labels are a huge market. It is also one of the worst markets for creating a landfill mess.

Billions of these labels are printed on liquor bottles, vitamin bottles, cosmetic packaging, etc., when wet strength, waterproof labels are needed.

To start to correct this environmental mess, we offer TerraSkin labels made from the Minerals in Rock. TerraSkin is third party certified as a Silver Cradle to Cradle substrate. You are using 80% less plastic and getting exceptional printing with TerraSkin, but still retaining the tear resistance & water proof qualities of film.

Our plants now stock 40” rolls that can be sheeted to

smaller roll sizes, such as 7”, 10” and 13” for label printers.

Our plants apply top coating to the TerraSkin, to allow roll printers to print on

our stock.

This is a major break through, as inventory has been a problem. We were only

selling the flat stock for Brochures, Business Cards, Pocket Folders, and POP

type displays, waiting for the technology to be in place for the much larger

market, LABELS.

Environmental Questions and Answers

Now, we are bringing in TerraSkin weekly to meet the demand. You can print 1-4 colors, and you can foil stamp and emboss them.

Label printers can call me for prices on final rolls top coated, and with the pressure sensitive and liners in place for roll printing.

Sheet wise, for small orders of labels or regular printing, we are in our final testing stages, printing samples on our Indigo presses.

We will stock 13 x 20 inch label stock, and we will stock regular weight TerraSkin paper, for commercial print jobs. TerraSkin is made without the use of any water, bleach or trees. It is waterproof & tear resistant. By choosing TerraSkin, you are supporting innovation to help us all save the planet (and in many cases you will also be saving money).

Mayor Bloomberg, in NY, used TerraSkin for a pocket folder recently. So yes, there is a new Eco Friendly label stock in town. Call me with any question(s) you might have on this fantastic replacement for film and plastic.

What are the most important points of green printing?

We have now posted 43 Green Printing Tips. I don’t expect any of you to remember all the tips and I think it is now a good time to review the most important points.

If I was making a speech, I usually ask the audience, “ What is The Definition of Recycled Paper?”. I also ask “What does Processed Chlorine Free mean”? I have never gotten the correct definition from more than 1 or 2 people. It is hard to make the correct environmental printing decisions, if you are not absolutely clear on these definitions.

Environmental Questions and Answers

Recycled Paper must have 30% Post-Consumer Waste in the new paper, for uncoated paper and 10% PCW for coated paper. When I started in 1990, no one even knew about PCW. Only California required 10% Post-Consumer Waste to be considered recycled Paper.

Coated Recycled Paper gets the 20% reduction, since 40% of the paper in coated contains clay. That means, only 60% of the paper is fiber. So, the USEPA allows less PCW to be a recycled paper in gloss or dull coated papers. Processed Chlorine Free means the paper is bleached with Oxygen or Hydrogen Peroxide and not Chlorine. Paper bleached with Chlorine will create Dioxins. Dioxin can poison us all.

So in today’s review, recycled paper must contain 30% PCW for uncoated and 10% PCW for coated paper, and try to use Processed Chlorine Free paper. Next week, I will review Green Washing.

How to avoid greenwashing?

It is important that we use the definition of recycled paper and the definition of processed chlorine free bleaching, and apply these definitions when avoiding Greenwashing.

When you see an advertisement for the most environmental printing for business cards and postcards that features FSC and soy inks, it is the right time to ask a few questions.

Your first question to the printer should be, “ How much Post-Consumer Waste is in the paper used for my job?”

The second question should be, “How is the paper bleached?” I will take a good guess at the responses to those two questions -Our paper is FSC certified and is Elementally Chlorine Free (ECF), or our paper is 10% Post- Consumer waste recycled and the bleaching is Chlorine Free.

Environmental Questions and Answers

Now we go back to the definitions. Recycled paper must contain 30% PCW if the paper is uncoated and 10% PCW, if the paper is a coated grade. The 10% PCW response would make the paper a recycled sheet.

In regards to the bleaching question, ECF sounds good, but is not good. ECF uses Chlorine Dioxide and will cause Dioxins to be created, when mixed with other chemicals.

In either response that I guessed at, there is too much emphasis on FSC and ECF is fooling the public. It sounds good, but it uses Chlorine. To be more environmental, I suggest using 100% PCW paper and 100% Processed Chlorine Free bleaching. PCF only occurs when you use 100% PCW paper. Otherwise, it will be ECF bleaching.

FSC is a good organization, but easy to manipulate to appear Greener than you really are.

Saving money on eco-friendly printing

I encourage my clients to analyze three items before deciding which way to proceed on their next environmental print project. I say environmental print job, as most of my clients want 100% post-consumer waste paper, processed 100% chlorine free, or at least 30% PCW paper. Here are the three questions.

Firstly: Is the project a digital or offset print job, by quantity? My rule of thumb, is to see if your printing can fit on 500 sheets of 13 x 20 paper. If it can, you are probably going to save money on 4 color print jobs printing digitally.

You can fit (9) 4 x 6 postcards on a 13 x 19 sheet size and yield 4500 postcards. You can fit 1000 8.5 x 11 fliers on on 500 sheets of 13 x 19 and you get 12,000 business cards, at (24) up on 13 x 19

Environmental Questions and Answers

Secondly: Can you use a white sheet that is approximately the brightness of a typical xerox paper (90) brightness, or do you need 96 brightness, like a typical laser paper?

If the whiteness or brightness is not crucial, you may save 30% on your final print bill. We offer 89 brightness at $1.00 per pound less than our 96 brightness. If you needed 500 pounds of paper, that is a paper savings of $500 plus the printers mark up.

Thirdly: Let the printer advise you if a slight size change can save you significant money.

The best example of this is postcards. If you want 5 x 7 postcards, you will get

(4) cards per 13 x 19 paper size. If you switch to the normal postcard size of 4x 6, your yield is (9) postcards per sheet. More than double the cards if you changed to the smaller size. That might save you 50% on the printing.

Does green printing cost a lot of money?

This is the number one question people ask me about Environmental printing. My response is NO, it does not cost more if you follow some basic Green Tips. First: Analyze your job to see if it is an offset (soy inks) job, or a digital job (100% non toxic toner). Both are terrific processes.

My rule of thumb is, whatever can fit on 500 sheets of 14 x 20 paper that we run digitally, in 4 color printing, is probably a digital job, based on cost. What can fit on 500 sheets?

1. 4500 postcards, size 4 x 6

    

2. 12,000 business cards

    

3. 1000 fliers, 8.5 x 11

    

4. 2000 (4 panel) greeting cards if 4.5 x 6.25 when folded. That is a pretty good start. After 500 sheets I will check both offset and digital pricing, up to 1000 sheets.

Environmental Questions and Answers

The reason digital is less money, up to 500 sheets, is there are no start up costs, like offset printing has. i.e. No plates, make ready, etc. At 500 sheets (break even point), the start up costs are amortized, and each sheet after that (break even point) is less money printed on an offset press.

Secondly: Accept a less white 100% PCW paper and you will save $1.00 per pound on the paper. Run 500 pounds of paper on your job, and you have a $500-$600 savings on the paper. Most people can’t tell which paper is whiter, unless they put two grades next to each other. And, if you have solid coverage, you will never guess which is whiter.

Thirdly: Be flexible on selecting your final size for your print project. A classic example is Greeting Cards. In #4 above, I say we can get 2000 greeting cards, if you choose 4.5 x 6.25 as the final, folded size. The flat size is 9 x 6.25. We can fit (4) sheets of that size on a 14 x 20 sheet of paper that we will print on. If , on the other hand, you go with the more common folded size, 5 x 7, printed from the flat size, 10 x 7, we can only fit (2) sheets on our 14 x 20 sheet size. You would only get 1000 finished cards.

That is an “enormous” cost difference, and we would have to throw away a huge amount of paper waste.

So, I have only listed 3 ways, to make being Green in your printing affordable. There are a lot more ways than that, but these are the easiest to do.

What is new in the Tree free Paper markets?

First, I will review the Tree Free papers for you. We stock the following:

Environmental Questions and Answers

Most of the tree free papers made today are a combination of post-consumer waste and the plant chosen. Tree Free is used to specify no new tree fiber is used to make the new grades of paper.

For example, Sugar Cane is now mixed with Bamboo, at 25% Bamboo, and 25% Sugar Cane, and 50% PCW. Hemp is 25% Hemp and 75% PCW. Banana, Lemon, Coffee, and Mango, all made in Costa Rica, are 10% plant, and 90% PCW. Last but not least, seed Paper is 100% PCW, and Wild Flower Seeds are hand inserted into the mix. Plant this paper, after using, and wild Flowers will grow. We offer these lines in text and cover weights.

Even 100% PCW is a tree free paper to me. No new trees are used to make 100% PCW paper. All of it is recycled, printed waste. Your 100% PCW lines come in natural, beige, green, kraft, tan and light gray, to name a few of the colors.We offer these lines in text and cover weights.

TerraSkin is different. There is no PCW fiber in TerraSkin -it is made of 80% rock mineral deposits and 20% polymer. TerraSkin uses the most renewable natural resources known to mankind. 60 million years of calcium carbonate, and mineral deposits, found in Limestone, at the bottom of the oceans, are used to make this tear resistant, and waterproof paper.

Terraskin uses the least amount of water to make this paper, and TerraSkin looks and prints like a dull coated paper. The mineral used, Calcium Carbonate, is found in numerous health products, including your toothpaste. TerraSkin is now offered in pressure sensitive labels, on rolls. We have these rolls in several widths for letterpress, digital and flexo, roll printing. We are using TerraSkin to replace 100% plastic, poly labels. Also, terraSkin is available in flat sizes for commercial printing of brochures, business cards, hang tags , pocket folders, etc.

Environmental Questions and Answers

Price wise, I list below the order of cost from low to highest price per pound.

1. 100% PCW

    

2. Bamboo & Sugar Cane

    

3. Hemp

    

4. -8. Rocks and Mineral -Coffee, Banana, Lemon and Mango

    

9. Seed Paper

Call me or email for samples.

When do you print offset instead of digital? Printing environmentally encompasses a lot of printers and a lot of printing presses. The key is how you use those presses and when to use them. I start off by asking you, what is your job look like, and then I offer to run your job on the correct press.

Let’s start with a few questions I might ask you. Is your artwork in CMYK or spot colors?

If your art is 1 or 2 pantone (spot) colors, I might ask, “Are these your corporate colors?”

If your answer is that you do have corporate pantone colors, than I may decide that your job belongs on a 2 color, offset press. Offset printing uses soy or vegetable based inks. Offset presses can run the correct pantone color by buying that color ink from an ink company, like Superior Ink.

We have a better chance to hit the color you want by printing 1 color at a time. Digital printing creates your color, by printing 4 colors to create your 1 color. We are basically printing 4 colors on top of your font to create the 1 color you chose.

Environmental Questions and Answers

If you have small type and we needed to print 4 colors to achieve your 1 color printing, the registration is tougher to achieve printing in CMYK versus 1 spot color.

We have seen art work given to us that is in 5 point type and later the client complained that they can’t read the copy. Maybe the job they needed would have printed better on a spot color press. How do we go Green on our spot color press? We buy low VOC Soy or Vegetable Based inks. We use recycled paper and encourage 100% post-consumer waste paper. We buy our paper from certified mills that use renewable energy, like Wind Power or Biogas. We will offer direct to press technology.

What is the disadvantage of printing, using spot colors? It usually comes down to price. Digital printing is getting better each year and we are really good at digital printing. If you needed business cards, we can print them cheaply converting your spot color to CMYK. But, sometimes it is a lot better to hit the exact color every time you print, by using the same ink from the same can of ink.

Sometimes, you need to print your type using 1 color and not 4 colors for perfect registration. Sometimes, you need to realize that your clients can’t read the copy as well as you can, and small fonts need perfect registration. Sometimes, when you print heavy solids in pantone colors, the ink lay down is better on an offset press.

Let us decide if we feel you should print on an offset press. We don’t want our clients to be disappointed and we want you to come back again for another job. We may ask you to make your font bolder and larger. We may say pay another $100 and use our two color press for this job. We may say it is worth it to wait an extra day for your printing.

Environmental Questions and Answers

But, also like all printing jobs, once a job needs more than 500 sheets of 13 x 19 paper to achieve your quantity, offset printing will be less money than digital. The break even point is around 500 sheets. So if you need 10,000 postcards, I would say you are on our offset presses for both quality of your pantone solids and for the best price.

Again, let me advise you, which way is best. Let me balance your budget and your quality expectations. But, whichever way you go, I will encourage you to use the most environmental paper, and the best inks or toners, and FSC paper and Green E energy.

How we can help your designer think Green on your next print job? We should first think of what we have learned on how to be Green in our printing.

Let’s write down the important elements of going Green in your printing.

a.

Paper: Tell your designer to consider using 100% post-consumer waste, recycled paper, or tree free alternatives.

b.

Inks or toners: remind your designer to ask for soy or vegetable based inks or 100% non toxic toner.

c.

Green Energy: Make sure the plant you choose is using renewable energy. Ask if the energy is derived from Wind, Biogas or Solar Energy.

d.

Layout: Maximize the paper, with little waste. Choose your print size to leave little waste paper space. It is environmental and a huge cost savings.

e.

Bleaching Process: Ask for 100% Processed Chlorine Free paper. This will eliminate the creation of Dioxins, which are poisonous to all of us.

Environmental Questions and Answers

f.

100% PCF bleaching is using Oxygen or Hydrogen Peroxide, not Chlorine.

g.

Water: Using 100% PCW paper is saving our precious water supply. Recycled paper uses a lot less water.

h.

Energy: Using 100% PCW paper uses a fraction of the energy to make the paper. If you use our Rock Paper, there is also a substantial energy and water reduction.

i.

Carbon Footprint: To be Carbon Neutral, you must analyze the energy use, the water use, the inks or toners, the paper, etc. You may discover that one negative can be overcome by the positives. For instance, TerraSkin is a good Carbon Footprint paper, since it uses little energy and water to make the resulting paper. That overrides the freight. The Carbon Footprint will be favorable for Rock Paper, and 100% Post-Consumer Waste paper.

Have your designer ask the paper company and the printer to check all these points, before you decide on your next Green project