Sustainability in Modern Printing

Print often gets labeled as wasteful, outdated, or at odds with sustainability goals. That idea hasn’t kept up with how the printing industry actually works today. Over the last 2 decades, printers have made meaningful changes in how materials are sourced, how jobs are produced, and how waste is reduced.

The instinct for years has been to swap print for digital, with the assumption that anything on a screen must be better for the planet. Yet somehow, print refuses to disappear, popping up everywhere from packaging and signage to direct mail, displays, and all the things that still need to exist in the real world.

Today, sustainable printing is less about eliminating print altogether and more about making informed choices, improving efficiency, and working with partners who prioritize responsible practices from start to finish.

Paper Sourcing and Materials

Sustainable printing begins long before ink hits paper. One of the biggest opportunities for impact is material selection. There’s a lot to consider:

• FSC® and PEFC™ certified paper ensures “new” paper comes from responsibly managed forests
• Recycled-content papers (post-consumer and post-industrial)
• Alternative substrates (tree-free, bamboo, cotton, agricultural waste papers)
• Lighter-weight papers engineered for durability (less material, same performance)
• Using correctly sized materials to reduce offcuts and trim waste
  

Cleaner Inks, Smarter Finishes

Ink technology has come a long way. Today’s eco-conscious printing relies on:

• Soy-based and vegetable-based inks
• Low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) and water-based inks
• UV and LED-UV curing (less energy, fewer emissions, faster drying)
• Safer coatings and laminates (aqueous coatings vs. solvent-based)
• Ink optimization and color management to reduce over-inking

Efficient Production = Less Waste

Sustainability isn’t just about materials, it’s also about process.

Modern, energy-efficient equipment and streamlined workflows help minimize waste at every stage. That includes:

• Digital proofing to reduce physical samples
• Print-on-demand strategies that prevent overproduction
• Automated workflows that reduce errors and costly reprints
• Efficient imposition and gang-run printing to maximize material usage

Less waste. Fewer reruns. Better outcomes.

Energy-Conscious Facilities & Operations

Behind every sustainable print job is a facility designed to operate efficiently. From energy-efficient presses and LED-UV curing to smart lighting and climate control, modern print operations can significantly reduce energy consumption.

These behind-the-scenes investments matter, and they directly impact your brand’s footprint.

Smarter Packaging, Shipping & Fulfillment

Sustainability doesn’t stop at the press. Packaging and logistics play a major role in environmental impact.
Symphonix helps brands reduce waste through:

• Right-sized, recyclable packaging
• Reduced plastic usage
• Consolidated shipping and optimized distribution
• Regional production strategies to cut transportation emissions

When fulfillment is planned thoughtfully, sustainability and efficiency go hand in hand.

Sustainability Is a Partnership

At Symphonix, we believe smarter print leads to stronger brands, and a more sustainable future. With our knowledgeable print partners we help brands make informed decisions about cost and environmental goals while maintaining brand standards.

Eco-Friendly Printing: Frequently Asked Questions