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What are some environmental considerations when choosing paper and finishing options?

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As a graphic artist, you may have to make decisions about the paper and finishing options for your print projects. These choices can affect not only the quality and appearance of your work, but also the environmental impact of your production process. In this article, we will explore some of the environmental considerations when choosing paper and finishing options, and how you can reduce your ecological footprint while creating stunning prints.

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Angel Garzaro

T.O.P. Coordinator at Freedom Graphic Systems

1 Paper types

The first factor to consider is the type of paper you use for your print project. Different paper types have different characteristics, such as weight, thickness, texture, brightness, opacity, and color. They also have different environmental implications, depending on how they are made, sourced, and recycled. For example, recycled paper uses less energy, water, and chemicals than virgin paper, and reduces the amount of waste and greenhouse gas emissions. However, recycled paper may have lower quality, durability, and consistency than virgin paper, and may not be suitable for some projects. You can also look for paper that is certified by eco-labels, such as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification), or SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative), which indicate that the paper comes from responsibly managed forests.

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Ed Schrempf

Workflow automation and efficiency expert. Retired
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I feel our society is more and more driven by what is in the package than what the package look like. Look at the online purchase surge. Also with prices increasing on most purchased items, cost is more of a factor. Using recycled board make more sense and with print production and finishing options increasing higher and higher quality in only makes sense to explore those options.

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2 Paper coatings

Another factor to consider is the coating of the paper, which is a thin layer of material applied to the surface of the paper to enhance its properties, such as smoothness, gloss, ink absorption, and resistance to moisture, dirt, and abrasion. Paper coatings can also affect the environmental impact of your print project, as some coatings may contain harmful substances, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals, or plasticizers, that can pollute the air, water, and soil. Some coatings may also make the paper harder to recycle, as they may interfere with the de-inking and pulping processes. Therefore, you may want to opt for paper coatings that are eco-friendly, such as water-based, vegetable-based, or biodegradable coatings, or avoid coatings altogether if possible.

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Ed Schrempf

Workflow automation and efficiency expert. Retired
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If pop is required or “needed” and shelf disruption is desired to make your product noticed, smaller less impacting to the environment options have become easily achievable. Spot gloss or emboss can make product stand out. All done without impacting the world we all live in.

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3 Printing methods

The third factor to consider is the printing method you use for your print project. Different printing methods have different advantages and disadvantages, depending on the size, quantity, quality, and complexity of your project. They also have different environmental impacts, depending on the amount of energy, water, ink, and waste they generate. For example, offset printing is a common method that uses metal plates to transfer ink onto paper. It is suitable for large-scale, high-quality, and consistent print projects, but it also consumes a lot of energy, water, and ink, and produces a lot of waste and emissions. On the other hand, digital printing is a newer method that uses toner or inkjet to print directly onto paper. It is suitable for small-scale, customized, and variable print projects, but it also uses more electricity and ink per page, and may have lower quality and durability than offset printing. You can also look for printing methods that are eco-friendly, such as soy-based or vegetable-based inks, low-VOC or UV-curable inks, or carbon-neutral printing.

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Angel Garzaro

T.O.P. Coordinator at Freedom Graphic Systems
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Thanks to Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers (R.T.O.) the amount of VOC emissions from heat-set ovens is diminished by 99.9% allowing for clean emissions.

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Ed Schrempf

Workflow automation and efficiency expert. Retired
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Offset printing is much less impactful to our environment than is used to be. Flexo for longer runs has more impact, but the volume of production offsets that be a considerable amount.

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4 Finishing options

The final factor to consider is the finishing options you apply to your print project. Finishing options are the additional treatments or processes that enhance the appearance, functionality, or protection of your print project, such as laminating, varnishing, embossing, die-cutting, binding, or folding. Finishing options can also affect the environmental impact of your print project, as some finishing options may use more materials, energy, or chemicals than others, or may make the paper harder to recycle or biodegrade. For example, laminating is a finishing option that covers the paper with a thin layer of plastic film to make it more durable and resistant to moisture, stains, and tears. However, laminating also uses more plastic and energy than other finishing options, and makes the paper non-recyclable and non-biodegradable. Therefore, you may want to opt for finishing options that are eco-friendly, such as water-based or vegetable-based varnishes, recycled or biodegradable materials, or minimal or reusable packaging.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are some environmental considerations when choosing paper and finishing options?

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1 Paper types

2 Paper coatings

3 Printing methods

4 Finishing options

5 Here’s what else to consider

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