We represent companies committed to:

• Social Responsibility
• Sustainable Practices
• Environmental Stewardship
• Sweat Free Workshops

MAKE AN IMPACT ON YOUR MARKET...
NOT OUR PLANET

THINK GREEN... YOU HAVE CHOICES

EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS...
PRINT ASSOCIATES CAN HELP

Print Associates joins a growing group of organizations committed to practicing environmental responsibility.  We see each project as an opportunity to work with our customers to help with choices which can result in end products that are safer for our planet.  We look forward to helping your company incorporate eco awareness into your next printing or promotions project.

PRINTING

To print or not to print…That is the question!

Can your goals be reached by a paperless alternative?  Can the same information be offered as effectively on line?  Evaluate each project before going to print.

If printing is the best option…Commit to practicing responsible design and printing.

Here are a few basic considerations to help THINK & GO GREEN:

WINDMILL ENERGY

A leader in environmental stewardship, Mohawk is the first large-scale production facility in the US to use electricity generated by renewable wind power to manufacture paper and the first US premium paper mill to shift toward carbon neutral production.

Choose Recycled Papers.  Producing recycled paper causes 74% less air pollution and 35% less water pollution.

Recyclable vs. Recycled vs. Post Consumer Waste Recycled
While all paper is recyclable it is important to understand the differences in these terms.  Paper which is designed as “recycled” can actually be a mixture of the following:

1. Virgin Wood Fiber – 100% from the original source.  Currently, 85% of writing/printing paper comes from newly cut trees 
2. Pre-Consumer Waste – Paper scraps and trimmings left over from the paper manufacturing process.  These are the easiest and cleanest to recycle.
3. Post consumer waste – Already used by the end user, this paper has been recycled, collected, separated, de-inked and will be made into paper again.   

Sample Recycled Percentage break down and what it means: 50% recycled,  20% PCW means 50% comes from virgin wood and 30% comes from pre-consumer recycled and 20% comes from post-consumer recycled.

Improve the chances that the piece can be eventually recycled.  A few considerations are glue, foils, coatings, label adhesives, laminates and paper.

Can your project be just as effective if run on a not so white paper option? Bright white papers can be the result of chemical bleaching processes.

Consider combination runs when going to print.  Combo runs provide volume price breaks while reducing production waste and clean up.

Use Digital Printing for short runs.  This printing method has advantages because it uses 100% nontoxic toner, producing less chemical waste.

Offset printing costs with creative design using innovative paper sizes or interesting folds.   Accept the challenge to create more with less.   

GLOSSARY

• FSC - Forest Stewardship Council Certified, ensures responsible use of forest resources
• SmartWood Certified – A program of the Rainforest Alliance
• Green Seal – A non-profit organization that tests and endorses paper products that pass their high standards for quality.
• Vegetable based/Soy Inks – Vegetable based inks are made with vegetable oils such as soy beans which are a substitute for petroleum.  Other oils used are corn, safflower, canola, and castor oil.  Soy is popular because of stable properties which holds pigments well.    Avoid inks containing lead, cadmium, mercury and other heavy metals.
• Water Based Aqueous Coatings vs. UV Coatings.  Both provide a high-gloss finish but Aqueous coatings are friendlier to the environment.
• VOC – Volatile Organic Compounds (petroleum-based inks)
• PCF – Processed Chlorine-Free
• ECF – Elemental Chlorine-Free
• TCF – Totally Chlorine-Free
• Tree Free Products –Made from alternative materials such as bamboo, hemp, kenaf, and refuse.
• Pre-Consumer Content – Paper scraps and trimmings left over from the paper manufacturing process.  These are the cleanest and easiest to recycle.
• PCW – Post Consumer Waste -  Already used by the end user, this paper has been used, recycled, collected, separated, de-inked and will be made into paper again.

PROMOTIONS

CAPTURE THE SPIRIT OF GOING GREEN
Go Green... It's Easy!

Searching for products that are earth friendly and make ecological sense... Print Associates can help.

Contact us for ideas & options...

A pioneer apparel manufacturing company offering
Natural Fibers, Recycled Fibers,  Chemical, and Additive Free