Eco-Friendly Graphic Design

Eco-Friendly Graphic Design KOMORI AMERICA Sue Baines & Jacki Hudmon

April 21-22, 2010 ď‚Ť San Antonio, TX

komori america •Wind and solar powered •30 recycling categories •ISO14001 certified •Supports reforestation •Green press features “We are contributing to a sustainable society by harmonizing our operations with society and the environment.”

what is sustainability?

Sustainability means meeting the economic, social and environmental needs of the present without compromising the similar needs of future generations

it’s not just a fad…

it’s not just a fad…

• The need for print solutions with improved financial, social and environmental performance is NOW a top priority – DuPont, P&G, Toyota, Johnson & Johnson

• US Consumers ages 18-29 are more likely to buy organic & environmentally friendly products than any other age group.

• Sarbaines-Oxley will require environmental statements • The Walmart Factor SUSTAINABILITY WILL DEFINE OUR ERA

it’s earth day • • •

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FACT: 80% of world’s original forests are gone.

FACT: In the US, only 4% of our original forests still exist FACT: The US is 5% of global population and consumes 30% of the world’s resources and produces 30% of the world’s waste FACT: Every can you recycle, represents 70 cans of nonrecyclable waste produced during the manufacturing process FACT: 99% of “stuff” is trashed after six months of use

Source: www.storyofstuff.com

what does it all mean?

• Stop visual and literal pollution • Create visually appealing print • Keep print alive

THINK CREATIVELY, WORK SUSTAINABLY!

what does it all mean?

what does it all mean?

messaging and content

• Design backwards!

• C2C • What is the purpose of the piece?

• How will it be used?

• Start talking to your printer!

substrates •

Don’t get lost on the paper trail

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Ensure you’re using FSC stocks

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Consult with your paper suppliers

Why WOULDN’T you use an enviromentally friendly substrate?

inks

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Inks with low VOCs (volatile organic compounds)

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Use vegetable based inks

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UV inks versus conventional inks

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Reduce, reuse & recycle ink

decorative elements inline with your goals

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It is important to make sure that how you finish your piece uses the least amount of waste, harsh solutions and requires a limited amount of setup.

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Whatever you do to the pages does not prevent the sheets from being recycled down the road.

decorative elements inline with your goals

COATINGS/VARNISHES •

Look for products that uses the least amount of VOCs or water-based solutions

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Try to use a printer/press that can do this varnish or coating inline

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Most foils are bad for the environment!!

decorative elements inline with your goals

EMBOSSING/DEBOSSING •

This process is completely non-toxic— particularly if it’s a blind emboss/deboss, and requires a small amount of set-up.

binding

BINDING •

Perfect binds use glues that are bad for the environment!

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Saddle stitching is a good choice, but it is important to make sure that the staples are aluminum and can be removed to make the piece recyclable.

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Aluminum spiral bound pieces are best route and there are creative ways to use them.

print & distribute

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Cheapest Price=Largest Carbon Footprint • Overseas printing uses the most nonrenewable resources Choosing local or regional printer is the most sustainable choice • Pre-production & distribution of material

flawless execution without eco-intrusion

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Things to find out from the printer:

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Are they FSC-certified?

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What are their environmental initiatives?

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What machines do they run and how old are they?

design considerations • • • • • • •

Design smaller pieces FSC certified or recycled substrates Specify vegetable based inks Reduce ink coverage Use environmentally friendly design techniques like spot coatings and varnishes, embossing, debossing, die-cutting Eco-binding Reinforce recycling!

your take away ideas

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Have an important and sustainable message Choose environmentally responsible substrate/paper Think before you ink Responsible finishing The Printer and the Presses—TRUST YOUR PRINTER! Be an agent of change!

Design upstream and downstream!

your take away ideas

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing’s going to get better. It’s not.”

think creatively, work sustainably

THANK YOU! Jacki_Hudmon@ne.komori.co.jp Susan_Baines@ne.komori.co.jp

Eco-Friendly Graphic Design KOMORI AMERICA Sue Baines & Jacki Hudmon

April 21-22, 2010 ď‚Ť San Antonio, TX