10 Ways To Print Green and Eco-Friendly
Green is the color of the generation. Environmentally conscious businesses and consumers have proven that this is not a fad, and they’re waiting for the rest of us to catch up. Our concern for the Earth is here to stay, and the implications this has on an enterprise’s public image are important enough to affect sales. Take a look at our last post to see how being eco-friendly matters to your customers.
So you want to print green, but how do you get started? It could be one of the most important decisions your company makes – improving your sales and your world. Here are 10 great options open to any business willing to take the first step to eco-friendly printing.
10 Ways To Print Green
Depend On Balance: There is a healthy balance between print and digital media, and the key is finding that balance. Experts understand that there isn’t one solution to promoting a more eco-friendly office space. Print and paper are not as wasteful as you might suspect, but there are still alternatives to exclusively using paper. Every little bit helps.
Use Recycled Paper: 100% post-consumer waste paper can actually save you money as it is printed on 90 brightness paper as opposed to 96 brightness. This small change looks good to your customers, keeps the eco-friendly recycling circle intact, and it can safe you up to 50% on the paper itself. Once again, that adds up for you.
Inks to Use: Consider using soy or vegetable based inks in standard colors. Metallic and florescent inks are not environmental, and they don’t capture people’s attention like they used to anyway. If the job is digital, try using non-toxic toner.
Green Promotional Options: This is an easy green step to take, and it will benefit both your business and your customers. Many customers are already looking for eco-friendly options like books, posters, jewelry, etc. All it takes is a little creativity on your part.
PDF Files: PDF files are a good alternative to print in many occasions, and they generally encourage people to read them digitally. Consider at least giving consumers the option to read files digitally or to print them, and the green decision is in their hands.
Consider size: Many documents can be shrunk down marginally, and it may seem like this is a small way to eliminate paper waste. But the difference builds up. This consideration begins at the design stage of a project. If you want to print an environmental brochure, plan it out so that it’s a little smaller than usual.
Avoid Foils: Foils are flashy, but they are harmful to the environment. If you’re intent on using a foil for a brochure or other marketing document, try to cut down on size as much as possible, or use a different material.
Green Packaging: In a way, the packaging of an item is one of the easiest ways to promote your eco-friendly brand. You don’t have to worry as much about presentation on the box, so use 100% post-consumer waste, less coated stock, and try to eliminate plastic in the boxes as much as possible.
Green Direct Mail: Direct mail is still a thriving marketing strategy, but it can be a strategy with a slightly greener tone if your lead nurturing process includes direct mail as a higher level of nurturing. If you only send direct mail to your most promising leads and customers, you can save paper, energy, and money.
Advertise Green: Telling your customers that you’re a green, eco-friendly brand is just another way for your marketing campaign to gather momentum, and it’s such an easy way to increase the awareness of your business! Just make sure you practice what you preach.
The Path to Greeness
These 10 ways to print green and promote eco-friendly marketing are just the tip of the iceberg. There are many more ways to save paper even while you save money and excite your target audience with your planet-saving efforts. Superior Business Solutions challenges you to try some of these tips and let us know how they go in the comments below. Become a part of our greener future!
