How to Choose a Sustainable Printer: What to Look For

Sustainability in print goes far beyond recycled paper. Energy use, materials, and production practices all influence the footprint of a print project. If your brand is serious about environmental responsibility, choosing the right printing partner matters just as much as the materials themselves.

Here are a few important things to look for when evaluating a sustainable printer.

1. Look for Third-Party Certifications

Third-party certifications help provide transparency and independent verification of environmental practices.  Ask if your printer is FSC® Forest Stewardship Council (FCS®) certified, which supports responsible forestry and traceable paper sourcing.

Environmental management certifications such as ISO 14001 also demonstrate a long-term commitment. This certification has significant value when it comes to sustainability. It requires ongoing measurement, documentation, and continuous improvement yearly. 

2. Ask About Energy and Operations

Sustainability does not stop at paper. How is the facility powered?

Printers that invest in renewable energy, such as fuel cells or solar power, are actively reducing their operational footprint. Understanding where and how your materials are produced gives you a clearer picture of your overall environmental impact.

Questions to ask your printer:

• How is the facility powered?
• Does your facility use renewable energy?

3. Explore Material and Production Alternatives

A sustainable printer should act as a consultant, not just a vendor.

The right partner will ask thoughtful questions like:

• Are there alternatives to plastic-based packaging, coatings, or lamination?
• Would UV or vegetable-based inks better align with your goals?
• Are there ways to optimize sizing or formats to reduce paper waste?

Often, small production adjustments can lead to meaningful reductions in waste and energy use. For example, look for paper types made from certified recycled fiber and ensure they are also recyclable after use. Certain coatings, adhesives, or lamination can affect recyclability. 

4. Consider the Role of Print and Digital

Print and digital communication each carry environmental impacts, and the appropriate format should be considered based on the purpose of the material.

2020 Life-cycle assessments show that printed materials tend to concentrate impacts in paper production and transportation, while digital media shifts impacts to device manufacturing and electricity use.

Digital may be preferable when the content changes frequently, information is distributed widely, or a short-term communication is needed. Print makes most sense when it’s long-term reference material, reusable materials like manuals and signage, and often improves the usability and accessibility of the material. 

In many cases, the most responsible approach is using the right medium for the purpose, rather than assuming one format is always better.

5. Design Print Projects With Longevity in Mind

Good print design can reduce environmental impact before production even begins.

Consider:

• Right-sizing documents to minimize paper waste
• Designing materials to be reusable, like signage.
• Reducing version changes that lead to discarded materials
• Using digital proofs instead of multiple physical proofs

Sometimes the most effective sustainability decision is simply printing less, but printing more intentionally.

A Partnership Built on Shared Values

Whether your company has an established environmental strategy or is just beginning to explore one, the right print partner should meet you where you are. It starts with simple, honest conversations. For some organizations, environmental responsibility plays an important role in how they operate and make decisions.