Contents Who What Why Where Client Considerations Stocks Inks
Definition
Sus-tain-a-ble; Adjective 1.able to be maintained at a certain rate or level. “sustainable economic growth” 2.able to be upheld or defended. “sustainable definitions of good educational practice”
who was Sustainable ? One lesser-known visionary was Buckminster Fuller. His observations of environmental degradation and social inequity were something he knew designers should consider, long before it was considered cool to be green. His sustainability movement was made active due to his concern of humanities wasteful use of resources and acted on the positive alternatives in design. He has inspired many, including the production of this book.
What is Sustain able ? Sustainable is the sustainability of three key factors; 1. Environmental 2. Economic 3. Social In order for sustainability these factors must remain in balance to achieve any sort of continued well-being of the planet for future generations. As a social responsibility to do this to the best of ones ability, as each individual has different situations and is able to contribute in varied ways.
Environmental
Economic
Social
Sustainable
Why Sustain able ? This short book is to help guide designers in sustainable thinking when it comes to print. The aim is to help professionals and novices alike to rethink their personal practice when considering print. The print production process in design is more often than not the most resource intensive and this can also mean most cost intensive. Taking both aspects into consideration, and trying to minimise on both can benefit your practice and pocket. This book encourages sustainable design.
sustain able print in grpahic design for people with appreciation
Where Sustain able ? All Graphic designers have the potential to be sustainable and are at an advantage in the design spectrum. With the use of problem solving which is one of a Graphic designers greater attribute, it is accessible to be resourceful and not wasteful. This can start in the classroom, the studio, anywhere there is no time when it cannot start and there is no real reason why it cannot be you. All it really takes is a subtle change in your approach to your practice and the know-how.
Start any where any time..
Client Responsibility Graphic design is built upon relationships, the most successful projects are when designer and client are in sync and there is a bond of trust. The designers responsibility stretches to the responsibility of the world both designer and client live in. It is considered that graphic designers are responsible for the products they create and there fore weather the product is sustainable or not. This designer responsibility should be taken on and the impacts which comes from the design process. You should not think it does not if you are working for any client.
considerations when printing As designers we all know what we need to consder when it comes from screen to print. Stocks, inks, compostions, colour, resolution, bleed and size. There are so many different considerations and thinking sustainably can be put on hold while the print process happens, or sustainable printing is just thought of when choosing stock types. Sustainable design is not only the ink and stock use when printing but it is also the message. That the medium must be accomplanied by by a strong message in order for sustainable design to work. Although the mediums used are an important consideration, without a strong delivery the mediums go wasted and that is not what you want. A concept is vital for a positive change.
design process
identify problem In the design and print process it can be seen that the concept is something which is integral.
concept design create
Redesign
test & evaluate share solution
designing Backwards
NGI 1
Waste: Design for destiny. Consider reuse. Recyclabilty. Bio degradeable
2
User: Experience. Educate. Enable a reaction.
3
Delivery: Design for distribution. Explore efficent packaging.
Designing backwards is a technique in which you can start to consider how you can implement green techniques into your design. Working backwards and visualising your finished product and then going back to see how eco methods can be implemented into you work.
SED 4
Storage: consider print on demand. Resist over printing.
5
Binding: Consider Mechanical bindings. Elinmate trim waste.
6
Printing: Design for green printing. Stocks used. Digital printng,. Inks used
sustain able stocks Paper sustainability comes in all shapes and sizes. Depending on what you are required to print, there is something more often than not which is suited for your printing job. Your approach should be to find these various papers and cards to adopt this mentaility that can help the environment and forestry.
Environmental impact of printing Printing 52% paper 31% ink 17%
Sustain able inks Using the right inks is very important. There are some inks which can contain hazardous precious metals, which can be terrible for the environment. There are some eco freindly inks which are really useful in your quest for being sustain able. Vegetabe oils and water based are the best inks to use, with soy based inks benefits being over exaggerated. The water based inks are the best as when it comes to recycling the paper it is easier to de-ink. Finally when printing considering the scale and amount, try to keep it to as smaller load as possible until the final outcome.
sustain able stocks Recycled paper can now compete on both cost and quality against a reasonable standard of fully processed paper. Off white or natural white paper. Either virgin or recycled paper that isn’t bleached to give the crisp whiteness that processed papers have. This kind of paper can be used for general printing or any job but it depends on the finish you want in regards to paper. Pre or post-consumer waste paper. This refers to the stage of the paper lifecycle that the particular product you are using had its paper sourced from. Pre-consumer waste is paper reclaimed prior to being used by consumers, and post is paper that is recycled post use. Try to select the highest percentage possible in either or both types when choosing your stock.
Paper recycling system Post consumer
Baleing
New paper Products
Soaking
Paper rolls
Impurities removed
Drying
Pulping
Sustain able inks Vegetable inks. Traditional petroleum based inks have a high environmental and printer health impacts. The introduction of vegetable inks means far less contamination and harnesses the properties of a wide range of organic compounds like soya, linseed, safflower, canola and castor to produce a highspecification grade of ink that holds pigment well. Waterless printing. This is a specialist process that requires specialist equipment. Whereas normal litho printing requires the use of large quantities of water to both wash the presses and the inks, this is completely negated by the use of specially made inks that operate with the press at set temperatures to avoid sticking or smudging to the silicone presses. It has a number of benefits that extend past the lack of water waste, but isn’t something that all printers will offer. Although it is another option which is out there.
In conclusion
Each and every one of u being proactive and tak be sustainable. in our o clients interests and t recieves our message.
us needs to start king resposibility to own practice, in the the audience which dont design waste dont waste design