Urbanfresh
Member
The printing and paper industry needs to congratulate themselves on the environmental strides they are making, but have we forgotten about what we’re really about? Has the craftsmanship taken a back seat to pusue sustainable causes and has the concentration of environmental credentials taken the fun out of specifying stocks?
I picked up on old swatch book I’ve had since the late 80’s and it’s opening comments were “ Paper is essential to communicating or expressing specific ideas or feelings and coupled with printing it provides an important function, basic appeal.”
Haven’t things changed since then. Today our swatch books and promotional material are laden with environmental claims and promises to fit any budget. Designers and printers are being asked by the discerning print buyer to present their image to the public in a manner that conveys this eco –consciousness and are now being questioned on their own individual practices.
But have we lost the art and pursueing environmentalism at any cost?
Environmentalists and avid debaters are slowing starting to realize we are not the bad guys in terms of environmental issues and that is certainly something we need to portray in a positive way.
For anything to be regarded as serious and gain respect, it needs to be thought out and clearly defined. Similarly today’s print buyers are equally if not more educated in sustainable issues and will not be fooled by a false pretext.
So be different! Tell your story and make it memorable. No need to reproduce an insect, or any other form of environmental symbolizism to show your commitment to the environment. If you are a printer, that’s what you do! Excel in that field. Sustainability is serious but don’t forget to incorporate the FUN and CREATIVITY that goes hand in had with this craft. Mind you, just make sure you’ve printed it on a stock that has all the credentials .
Kristina Holdorf the Director of Urban Fresh Services in Australia. She is a recognised speaker and is an advocate for environmental innovations within the print and paper industry with an in depth understanding of certification systems, corporate and social responsibility and green procurement writing. She is also a registered FSC Chain of Custody auditor of Scientific Certification Systems California. For further information visit Urban Fresh
I picked up on old swatch book I’ve had since the late 80’s and it’s opening comments were “ Paper is essential to communicating or expressing specific ideas or feelings and coupled with printing it provides an important function, basic appeal.”
Haven’t things changed since then. Today our swatch books and promotional material are laden with environmental claims and promises to fit any budget. Designers and printers are being asked by the discerning print buyer to present their image to the public in a manner that conveys this eco –consciousness and are now being questioned on their own individual practices.
But have we lost the art and pursueing environmentalism at any cost?
Environmentalists and avid debaters are slowing starting to realize we are not the bad guys in terms of environmental issues and that is certainly something we need to portray in a positive way.
For anything to be regarded as serious and gain respect, it needs to be thought out and clearly defined. Similarly today’s print buyers are equally if not more educated in sustainable issues and will not be fooled by a false pretext.
So be different! Tell your story and make it memorable. No need to reproduce an insect, or any other form of environmental symbolizism to show your commitment to the environment. If you are a printer, that’s what you do! Excel in that field. Sustainability is serious but don’t forget to incorporate the FUN and CREATIVITY that goes hand in had with this craft. Mind you, just make sure you’ve printed it on a stock that has all the credentials .
Kristina Holdorf the Director of Urban Fresh Services in Australia. She is a recognised speaker and is an advocate for environmental innovations within the print and paper industry with an in depth understanding of certification systems, corporate and social responsibility and green procurement writing. She is also a registered FSC Chain of Custody auditor of Scientific Certification Systems California. For further information visit Urban Fresh
