We here a lot these days about being “green”. Basically I interpret the concept as using sustainable practices in your home or business. I like to refer to sustainability as the three R’s—Reduce, Re-use and Recycle.
Let’s talk about the first R–Reduce. Reducing as it pertains to the print industry normally refers to packaging, that is using the minimum amount of packaging to deliver the finished product to the customer but still maintaining professional standards. We achieve that by using appropriate size boxes that will protect the finished product, be convenient for the client to store and will not look lousy if they store it in a visible location.
Reducing also applies to how a printed piece is actually produced. Traditional offset printing involves a multitude of pre-press steps. In a worst case scenario once a job has been designed or laid out a printed paper proof will be mailed or hand carried to the client for approval. After approval color separated film must be produced. Film production requires heavy metal developers and fixers which end up in land fills or waste treatment facilities. Once the film is made aluminum printing plates are exposed, mounted to the press and the printing process begins. Traditional print methods require set up and color balancing which wastes paper.
As an alternative to the traditional wasteful methods described above, I prefer to use digital printing. Proofs are usually delivered to the client as pdf files via email. Approval is usually quick and easy and the final files are printed electronically to our digital copiers and printers. There is minimum waste and maximum customer satisfaction.
