Category: Environment

Tap into ink savings

How a more efficient approach to colour management can dramatically boost your environmental credentials and bottom line by cutting ink use and waste.

Somehow we seem to have assumed that being environmentally friendly is going to cost us more. This idea is so endemic to the way we think that green policies have become one of the biggest casualties of the current economic crisis. Yet one of the biggest threats to our planet’s health is the sheer amount of waste that we all produce. It’s no surprise that reducing waste is also a pretty good way of increasing profit margins.

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Sizing up your carbon footprint

Verdigris founderLaurel Brunner explains what steps are afoot to help you develop a measurable environmental policy, with a focus on ISO 16759.

It can be hard for individual printers to develop a measurable environmental policy but the forthcoming ISO 16759 should address this. For a growing number of printers, sustainability and working to protect the environment are becoming more important. This is not just because many print company owners believe in helping the industry to be more environmentally friendly, but also because customers are putting them under increased pressure to do so.

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Exploring the possibilities

Did you miss out on the Planet Friendly talks that formed part of the Explore Conference at Fespa Digital? If so, here are the edited highlights.

Printers attending Fespa Digital this year really missed out. As part of its Explore Conference during the show, Fespa ran a two-day Planet Friendly series of talks, those on the first day built around the theme ‘Why be green?’ and on the second around ‘How to be green?’ Attendance was pitiful, leaving speakers who had honed their presentations to a print audience talking largely to other presenters, journalists and representatives from interested exhibitors – a shame because the environment, and print companies’ attitudes and behaviour towards it, is clearly becoming an ever bigger issue with huge potential impact on how the print industry as a whole and the specific print businesses within it progress.

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EMAS. What’s that?

EMAS stands for ‘Eco Management and Audit Scheme’ but you can be forgiven for not realising that – it’ not exactly well known. But it’s about to be, so listen up.

EMAS. Never heard of it? You will. According to those in the know, by which I mean environmental specialists, we can expect a massive surge in interest in this cross-sector environmental standard during 2012, partially boosted by the BPIF having secured funding to help printers work to achieve it. If you already have a decent EMS system in place and gone through ISO14001 accreditation then you’ve already done the legwork – but EMAS will put details of your environmental policies and targets in the public domain, and therefore can be used as a powerful sales tool for those of you aiming to make money off the back of your ‘green’ credentials and use them to competitive advantage.

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The key to improving environmental performance

John Pymer, managing director of Certification International, explains how printing companies can unlock the benefits of introducing better environmental practices.

Since 2008, Certification International has seen significant growth in the number of companies integrating environmental practices into their management systems. The number of certificates issued for ISO 14000 has increased by 300%, and many of these have been achieved by companies in the printing industry.

 

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22-24 FEB, 2026
Sign & Digital UK

Where?

Hall 6, NEC, Birmingham

Cost?

Free to members of the sign making and digital print trade.

What is it?

Running for more than 35 years, Sign & Digital UK is a central part of the industry’s calendar, providing an annual launch pad for all that is new, and an economic stimulus for the industry. The show gives the opportunity to meet in person, see and compare equipment and kit from the major industry suppliers, and the chance to source new suppliers and gather new ideas to enhance and drive your business forward.

23 FEB, 2026
The Sign Industry Awards

Where?

National Conference Centre, Birmingham.

Cost?

An individual ticket is £289, whereas a table of 10 is £2,800.

What is it?

The Sign Industry Awards, presented by Sign Update and Sign & Digital UK, celebrate excellence in the visual communications sector by honouring past achievements, present innovations, and future advancements. These awards recognise outstanding suppliers, sign makers, and individual traders in sign making, digital printing, and visual communications. With over 35 years of industry service, SDUK and Sign Update ensure that everyone in the industry has a voice, highlighting and rewarding the best in the field.