GREEN PACKAGING + PRINTING
Vegetable-based vs. Soy-based inks
We use vegetable-based inks standard. But what's the difference between vegetable-based inks and soy-based inks?
Petroleum-based inks to alternative inks
Up until a few years ago, consumers demanded soy-based inks based on their environmental benefits. It was a welcomed change from the previous industry standard of petroleum inks. Soy-based ink was developed in the 1970's in a response to the oil crisis. Since that time, the newest of these ink technologies is what we use, vegetable-based inks.
“What’s the difference, isn’t soybean a vegetable?”
Soy-based inks are made from soybean oil which is derived from soybeans, and vegetable-based inks are made from linseed oils which are derived from flax seed. Modern vegetable-based inks are created to have the best properties of the various plant matters in the use of the ink.
Vegetable-based inks
Our vegetable based ink system consists of 51% sustainable materials including vegetable oils and modified rosins. These inks are also formulated with organic materials that do not contain any animal-based byproducts. The overall volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for these inks are are less than 1%.
We also use a hybrid UV-cured ink. It contains no vegetable oils and is dried (cured) with UV energy. UV inks do not contain any volatile organic compounds (VOC) making them a very green choice.
Both the vegetable-based inks and the hybrid UV-cured ink are environmentally responsible ink systems. Therefore, we can use whichever ink best suits the project.
Our enviro-line of products are printed with low-VOC vegetable-based inks on 100% post-consumer recycled stocks.
Have your job produced with renewable energy!
Have your marketing materials printed utilizing renewable energy! As part of our energy program, we have reserved a percentage of our monthly required kilowatt hours to be provided from a variety of renewable energy power facilities.
Simply request "green energy" and your project will be produced utilizing a portion of our monthly allotment. With doing so, you can include the logo on the left to promote your company's interest in renewable energy.
Environmentally sustainable promotional and packaging choices below.
BINDERS
Designed to hold standard 11 x 8.5 in. sheets, Polypropylene Binders look and feel like regular vinyl, but will not crack in cold conditions. Chipboard is made from 100% recycled materials and metal rings are also recyclable. Binders have clear overlay sleeves on front, spine, and back cover for inserting custom sheets. Pockets on inside of front and back covers. Polypropylene is very durable and Environmentally Responsible.
Recycled kraft paper, glued to recycled post consumer chipboard, using biodegradable green-friendly glues. Printedwith vegetable based inks. Add recycled metals. The final product is an Eco-Friendly, 100% curb recyclable binder.
PRESENTATION FOLDERS
Envirofolder using 100% post consumer recycled chipboard. Print with vegetable based inks and blind deboss your logo. The final product is an Eco-Friendly, 100% post consumer & 100% curb recyclable folder. Many FSC materials available.
SHEET, ARCHIVAL PHOTO + CD PROTECTORS
You can use either eco friendly virgin vinyl, which is 100% curb recyclable or polypropylene, which is also 100% recyclable & biodegradable. Our CD protective safety-sleeves are made from poly non-woven material.
Portfolio mailer with 3" flap and tear strip
CD/DVD mailer with tear strip
MAILERS
EcoEndure polypropylene 100% recyclable & biodegradable. Clear poly is USPS approved. Conformer® Expansion Products using post consumer paper will expand to fit and protect their contents. With the unique patented design, folders and mailers can hold from 1 to 100 sheets of paper, spiral bound books and other materials of varying thickness. CD and DVD Mailers can hold single or multiple CD’s or DVD’s. Conformer products are produced on 12 Pt. C/1/S stock. 100% recyclable.
INDEX TABS
We'll use soy based ink to print on green seal minimum 30% post consumer fiber paper. The final product is a Eco-friendly 100% recyclable index tab.
