The primary focus of Greenhouse Graphics, LLC has always
been marketing with sustainability as the driving force of all we do and offer.
I believe we can market our business and keep Mother Earth healthy at the same
time. Since I first opened in 2002; being green or environmentally friendly is
abundantly more mainstream and thankfully the cost of to do so is now
comparable if not less than traditional options.
In honor of celebrating Earth Day this month I felt it was
quite natural to share a few tips and resources:
- Allow for
more white space and less text. Did you ever realize that you naturally
will be drawn to a design that has one catchy phrase and minimal supporting
text than a design full of long-never ending copy? Two for one here…less ink
usage and increased read ability and visual appeal for the recipient.
- Image mindfulness.
Aim to work with images that do not include gradients or large areas of heavy, dark-color
coverage; instead support a 2015 design trend of using monochromatic images
which highly reduces the number of inks used for printing or full-color images where
the subject can be cropped to be the main focus. You can save even more ink
(and paper) if you do not print to the edges of the final printed piece (printing to the edge is called
a bleed).
- Give
Green Away! Consider purchasing promotional products that are made from
sustainable materials or that are manufactured using solar or wind energy
sources. Also consider where they being shipped from; aim for within the
state you live or a neighboring state.
- Ink!
So much about ink! Go with a printer that uses one or more of the following
ink types: non-toxic, non-metallic, vegetable based, soy based, linseed oil based
or low or no VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) content! This is better for the
environment as well as the workers running the printing presses. While you’re
at it ask the printer how they dispose of their ink and paper waste; some have
wonderful recycling practices.
- Paper. Is it readily available as TFC (Totally Chlorine Free), post-industrial recycled
content, post-consumer recycled content, FSC-certified, recycled fabric content
or even tree-free paper such as Kenaf, Hemp or Mineral based? Most of these
options cost less than or equal to traditional, non-green stock. This is a super easy one to implement.
- Powering
the Presses. How does your printer or design agency run their operation? Do
they use alternative energy such as solar, wind or water? Or do they purchase
carbon footprint credits or support research for sustainable energy by way of
annual donation?
- Size of
finished product. There is a magic formula that your printer and/or
designer can use to ensure that your final printed piece use just the right
amount of raw-stock in the printing press to minimize paper waste. Sometimes
even adjusting the final size by a quarter-of-an-inch can make a huge impact on
the amount of the final paper waste. This is of even more importance if you are
printing quantities in the 5K, 10K or higher range.
- Don’t
forget your Website! Green website hosting services are out there. Hosting
companies that power their office building and server farm with solar, wind,
water or any combination of the three are just as reliable as traditional
hosting services. The extra bonus, for me anyway, is that choosing a
green-hosting company supports a family-owned or entrepreneurial business, too.
BTW…Greenhouse Graphics, LLC is a re-seller of green-hosting services.
- Resources
- Renourish http://www.re-nourish.com/ is a great
site with all kinds of tools, calculators, articles, etc. about awareness
and action for sustainable design.
- Integrity Graphics http://www.integritygraphics.com/ the printer I use exclusively – absolutely green and continue to expand their green and sustainable practices annually. They are currently working on community outreach / education programs on recycling, re-purposing and overall connectivity between companies and their communities. If you reach out to Integrity Graphics ask for Tanya Hughes and let her know Chana Monahan sent you – she will treat you like family she loves.
I hope the above gave you some inspiration to green-up your
next printed design project or simply offered awareness to this very important
topic. If you have any questions I am a phone call 860-379-2794 or an email grow@greenhousegraphicsllc.com
away!
Until next time, happy marketing!
Chana Monahan
Greenhouse Graphics, llc. Where Ideas Grow
860-379-2974
Good stuff, Chana.
ReplyDeleteThank you greatly Daniel! :)
ReplyDelete