Is Digital Printing Sustainable?

 Is it possible to get great print quality, cost effective printing and do your bit to look after the planet?

With digital printing, sustainability doesn’t have to be a compromise or mean a significant investment to be environmentally friendly.

Consumers and business owners are more aware and concerned than ever about the impact of their carbon footprint. The advances in printing technology has reduced this impact when comparing digital printing to offset or lithographic printing, with digital using fewer chemicals, less water and producing less waste overall. 

While digital printing is more sustainable, as a conscientious printing company, there is still more that can be done, including using ethically sourced and sustainable materials, being able to recycle products after use and using renewable energy technologies.

Here’s our top 12 ways digital printing, and the how the use of more sustainable, eco-friendly materials can further reduce environmental impact.

1. As digital printing is cost effective for small print runs, you don’t need to print more than you need, so you can easily avoid over ordering and save on wastage.
2. Digital printers produce far less CO2 emissions than many traditional printing presses.
3. As printing plates are not required for digital printing, plates don’t need to be made or replaced when worn out, reducing waste further.  
4. You can send and approve proofs electronically for digital printing and see exactly how the finished product will look.
5. Not only does digital printing give faster print runs, it also but removes the need for minimum order quantities.
6. Using other materials for signage, such as switching from foam PVC to fully recyclable paper based and polypropylene boards, lessens impact on the environment.
7. Outdoor display boards can be made more environmentally friendly by using rigid and light corrugated, or honeycomb core boards.
8. Replace PVC banners with textile banners made from 100% recycled PET bottles.
9. You can also avoid using inks that make the finished product difficult to recycle when you’re finished with it.  
10. Always consider the size of paper required, as this can cut wastage.
11. Choose recycled paper and card for your printing requirements.
12. Digitally printed sheets come out dry and don’t need to be UV cured or air dried before being packaged, making it more efficient and another energy saving benefit.

Whether you are a large organisation or a small to medium sized business, switching to digital printing plus the benefits of using recycled materials to promote your business, can be done sustainably and responsibly.

If you want to be more eco-conscious, then digital printing is a far more sustainable alternative to traditional print methods. It’s more cost effective too, so what’s not to like.

We can help you find sustainable materials, whatever your digital printing requirements from large format printing to leaflets and brochures. Talk to us today about how you can get the most from digital printing and take care of your corner of the planet.