Month: April 2022

At Dynamic Print, we are always looking at ways we can help our customers make more sustainable choices when it comes to their printing. Having worked with paper mills and paper merchants for over 35 years, I have seen a huge change in the types of sustainable papers that are now available. When I first started working in the paper industry, the choice was nothing like it is today. There are now some really interesting papers being made from recycled and alternative materials, and some of them are quite amazing. For us, sustainability isn’t just about choosing a paper because it is described as “eco-friendly”. It is about looking at the project as a whole and finding a paper that is right for the job.

What makes a paper sustainable?

When people talk about sustainable paper, they often think about recycled paper, and of course that is an important option. But there is much more available now. There are papers made using alternative fibres and materials that would otherwise become waste. We have worked with papers made from things such as coffee husks, cotton, seaweed, agricultural waste, grass, denim and recycled confetti. We also have seeded paper, which contains seeds and can be planted after the printed item has been used. We think this is a lovely option for certain projects because the paper can have a second life rather than simply being thrown away. There are also recognised environmental certifications, such as FSC® and PEFC, which can be important when choosing paper for a particular project. The important thing is not to assume that one type of paper is automatically the best choice for every job. What works well for a business card might not be the best option for a brochure or a piece of packaging.

Some of the unusual eco papers we work with

One of the things I particularly enjoy about working with paper is seeing what new ideas the mills come up with. Over the years, we have supplied and worked with a growing range of more unusual papers, including:

• Recycled papers
• Cotton papers
• Coffee husk papers
• Agricultural-waste papers
• Grass papers
• Seaweed papers
• Seeded papers
• Denim papers
• Recycled confetti papers
• Other alternative-fibre and recycled stocks

Some of these papers look quite conventional, while others have a really distinctive texture or appearance. That can make them particularly effective for things such as business cards, invitations, packaging, certificates, menus, brochures and promotional materials.

Sustainable paper doesn’t have to look boring

I think this is one of the biggest changes I’ve seen. There can sometimes be a perception that choosing an environmentally friendly paper means having to compromise on how your finished print looks. That certainly isn’t the case. Some of the sustainable papers available today are beautiful and can be used for really high-quality printed work. Depending on the paper, they can also be combined with specialist finishing such as hot foil, embossing, blind debossing, letterpress and die cutting. Of course, not every sustainable paper is suitable for every printing process. Some papers behave very differently when they go through a digital press or when we are applying foil or embossing. This is where our experience can help. We know that choosing the paper isn’t just about how it looks in a sample book. It also needs to work with the printing and finishing you want to use.

Sustainable paper for your business printing

There are lots of different places where businesses can make more sustainable choices with their printed materials. It could be something as simple as:

• Business cards
• Letterheads
• Brochures and booklets
• Postcards
• Certificates
• Packaging
• Product tags
• Menus
• Presentation folders
• Promotional material
• Wedding stationery

For one project, a recycled paper might be the best choice. For another, an alternative-fibre paper might give the right look and feel. And for something such as a wedding invitation, business promotion or marketing campaign, seeded paper can be a really interesting option.

Choosing the right sustainable paper

With so many choices now available, it can sometimes be difficult to know where to start. This is where we can help. I’ve spent more than 35 years working with paper, and at Dynamic Print we are constantly looking at new stocks and talking to our paper suppliers about what is coming onto the market. If you know what you want your finished print to look like, but aren’t sure which paper will give you the result you’re after, give us a call. We can talk through the options and, where appropriate, arrange samples so you can see and feel the paper before making a decision. I always think this is important. Paper is something you need to see and feel. A photograph on a computer screen doesn’t always tell you what a particular stock is really like.

Looking at the environmental credentials

It is also worth looking beyond the words “eco-friendly” or “sustainable” when choosing a paper. There are lots of different environmental claims and certifications, so it is worth finding out exactly what the paper is made from and what environmental credentials it has. If you want to find out more about sustainable papers and the environmental information used within the paper industry, Antalis has some useful information about sustainable papers and its Green Star System. We have worked with paper merchants and suppliers such as Antalis for many years, and keeping up with changes in the paper industry is an important part of what we do.

Sustainable printing at Dynamic Print

We don’t believe that choosing a more sustainable paper means compromising on quality. There are now some fantastic options available, from recycled and FSC® or PEFC-certified papers to papers made from alternative fibres, waste materials and even papers that can be planted after use. Our job is to help you find the paper that is right for your particular project, rather than simply recommending the latest “eco” paper. We are based in Norwich, Norfolk, and work with customers across the UK. If you’re looking for a sustainable or unusual paper for your next print project, get in touch with us. We’d be happy to talk through the options and see what we can find for you.

This article was originally published in 2022 and has been updated to reflect the wider range of sustainable and alternative-fibre papers now available.

Click here to find out more

Does a cardboard box really need to be used just once?

With deliveries arriving every day, businesses can quickly find themselves surrounded by cardboard boxes and packaging. While cardboard is highly recyclable, sometimes the best thing we can do is reuse it before we recycle it.

Reuse before you recycle

If a box is clean, dry and still in good condition, there is no reason it can’t be used again. A box that arrives with one delivery could easily be used to send another order, giving it a second life rather than buying a brand-new one. Of course, not every box is suitable for reuse. Damaged, torn or weakened boxes are best put into the recycling system. It’s also important to remove or cover old delivery labels before sending a box on its next journey.

It can save money too

Reusing packaging isn’t just good for the environment it makes good business sense. New boxes cost money. They also take up storage space and need to be assembled before use. If you can safely reuse packaging that has already arrived at your premises, you’re reducing waste while saving money at the same time. For businesses sending parcels regularly, those savings can soon add up.

How we reuse packaging at Dynamic Print

At Dynamic Print, we receive packaging in all shapes and sizes. Rather than automatically throwing perfectly usable boxes into the recycling, we look at whether they can be used again. We’ve even created our own reused packaging labels to explain to customers why their box might not look brand new. We think it’s important to make the message clear: the box may have had a previous life, but the contents inside have been packed with exactly the same care. In fact, we’ve found that customers really appreciate knowing that we’re making the effort to reuse packaging rather than using a new box unnecessarily.

Small changes can make a difference

Sustainability doesn’t always require a huge investment or a complicated change to the way you work. Sometimes it’s simply about stopping for a moment before throwing something away and asking:

“Can we use this again?”

At Dynamic Print, we believe that reducing waste, reusing materials and making sensible choices should be part of everyday business. And if your business wants to make a little more of its reused packaging, we can help with that too.

We produce standard and bespoke reused packaging labels to help you explain your approach to customers.

To discuss your requirements, contact the Dynamic Print team at quotes@dynamicprint.co.uk.