The need for eco-friendly printing

There is no precise reason why one should not think to go green as regards printing. Eco-friendly printing or Green printing refers to a type of printing that does not cause harm to our environment. Eco-friendly printing is exactly cheaper than the conventional way, but considering its benefits which are beyond saving a few bucks, going green makes a whole lot of positive difference in the printing industry.

As I referenced earlier, there is no one particular reason for one to choose to go green, so I am going to highlight as few points to help people understand the need for eco-friendly printing.

Investing in green printing might prove to be capital intensive at first but be assured that in the nearest future, the methodology behind eco-friendly printing will help one save more and settle fewer expenses, unlike other regular printers. Recently, eco-friendly printing machines and equipment are becoming more available and with competitive value. Secondly, the results from working with these kinds of printing equipment are monumental. Regarding quality, eco-friendly print matches value to result and is also cost effective. Printing on recyclable papers produce great qualities and using vegetable or soy inks give similar results when compared to inks made from petroleum.

Just getting an eco-friendly printer, that is, the ones with the ENERGY STAR® label, hooking it up and then going ahead to print as much as you can do not ensure efficiency, and it also defeats the purpose of green printing. The basis of eco-friendly printing goes beyond just the equipment. Usage is paramount, and there are methods that if properly installed can ensure we maintain an eco-friendly printing environment.

Printing techniques and even choice of the font have got a role to play in the printer’s carbon footprint. B2B Online Web-to-print solutions empower a printer for green printing by providing a wide array of options to customize font, print settings and pricing rules for various items.

Another usage method to consider is the buying and use of paper or any print material. To help you with the choice of the right eco-friendly paper to purchase, look for the Forest Stewardship Council(FSC) Seal on the paper package. Your choice of printing material should show a high level of recycled content, which is what FSC looks for in paper making companies. The paper can either be sourced from sugarcane or any other highly sustainable material.

Keep in mind that you have to reuse and recycle your printing materials. From the ink or toner to already used paper, all of them one can recycle and reuse. It is also efficient to get a printer that uses different cartridges so you can refill the different colors individually to increase efficiency and save money. Also, it is possible to reuse paper printed on only one side by printing on the blank surface for a different purpose in and around the office. One can also cut up pieces of paper to use on office desks for jotting down notes and keeping reminders. Placing recycling bins around the office can also help in the collection of unusable print materials.

Going green with printing is a process, and with the right equipment and method of use, we can contribute to improving our environment without comprising on service delivery.