Environmentally responsible printing is the latest trend in the printing industry and NextGeneration Printing, Copying & Digital Communication is finding ways to make an impact on our environment by researching and using eco-friendly inks, recycled papers, and electronic document delivery whenever possible. These steps, even in a small way can benefit the planet and energy consumption.
Facilities
NextGeneration Printing has taken extremely proactive steps in energy conservation by installing high tech lighting motion sensors and timers throughout our plant. These sensors determine movement in an area and for how long that movement continues. Based on that sampling, the sensors determine how long to keep the lights on or turn off automatically.
Equipment
Additionally, NextGeneration Printing has partnered with with such environmentally conscious equipment manufacturers as Canon utilizing Canon production digital presses. Read about Canon's Green Initiatives here: http://www.usa.canon.com/app/html/GenerationGreen/index.html
Paper
According to the Institute of Sustainable Communications, the paper industry is the fourth largest user of electricity and the largest user of water in the world. Consider the chemicals used in inks, extensive proofing processes, and the energy required to create the finished product. It all adds up, and NextGeneration is doing its best to help reduce carbon emissions and other pollution by establishing some interesting production practices. Following the article is a self-test to identify areas you haven't perhaps yet considered, and a checklist with resources for making the transition. You can find a great deal of additional information on going green at such sites as: http://www.sustaincom.org/ and http://www.rainforestalliance.org/ and http://www.ceres.org/ and http://www.greenseal.org/ and http://www.metafore.org/
NextGeneration is constantly looking for recycled papers and biodegradable inks and has embraced a pdf workflow in almost all instances to reduce printed proofs and messenger services. Following are some of the things NextGeneration Printing, Copying & Digital Communication is doing to make the environment a priority in our work:
PDF Workflow
With Acrobat, we can create forms, view, publish and review comments online, collaborate with clients, implement a soft-proof review cycle, use JDF to track jobs, and more. All of this becomes possible with Acrobat Professional, available from Adobe for under $500.00. You may be familiar with the free Adobe download of Acrobat Reader, but Acrobat Professional allows you to create all those amazing documents you have viewed in Reader. To learn more about Acrobat Professional follow this link: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobatpro/
JDF Production Techniques
Job Definition Format (JDF) describes print jobs. JDF content sent from a designer's desktop can contain the total number of pages in the job, the paper stock to be used, run length, contact information, and delivery details. Downstream at NextGeneration Printing, the JDF gathers manufacturing details as the job goes through the workflow. Essentially, the JDF automates the process, speeds throughput, reduces errors, conserves paper and energy and lowers your costs.
Print Jobs Received Online
NextGeneration's revolutionary website allows you to get Instant Quotes on over 15,000 item, paper, size and ink combinations without having to leave your office and drive to a printer. You can do unlimited "what if" scenarios to find your best product and price combination for BOTH digital and offset printing. Online job submissions with NextGeneration streamlines the process of purchasing, producing, and reordering printing jobs.
Uses Online Proofing and Approval Process
NextGeneration Printing's online order process also includes PDF soft proofing thus eliminating use of chemicals, courier services, and other materials. Traditional methods of securing proof approvals involved printing the job numerous times, deciphering customer comments, tracking and archiving detailed records, overnight mail and couriers, audit trails, fazing, and time spent shuffling the work back and forth. All of this is resolved by NextGeneration using the web and it's revolutionary web site technology with almost instantaneous proofs. Another method NextGeneration embraces with proofing is sending as an e-mail attachment. Online proofing can be an interactive process combined with communication that enables NextGeneration and its customers to not only view a document or image onscreen, but to make comments, mark-ups, and return an approval - all from a desktop! A GAA (Graphic Arts Association) discussion on the topic of sustainable printing for printers was held November 15, 2007 in Philadelphia. View information http://www.gaa1900.com/Calendar.asp regarding printers learning to become sustainable printers and how to obtain certifications.
Variable Data Printing (VDP)
It takes about 68 million trees per year to produce the piles of no-name mail sent to Americans annually - nearly half is thrown out unopened. Variable Data Printing is a value-added service which NextGeneration Printing offers as a more effective way to convey messages with certainty, clarity, and impact. VDP makes personalized communication a reality, producing a customized message for each recipient. The response rates can be as much as 400% better than traditional junk mail thus allowing for smaller and more effective lists and mailing. Naturally, the design process of any campaign can impact the results. The Designers Green Award http://www.designgreenproject.org is the first of its kind to reward designer's creativity in branding, print, packaging, fashion, environment, photography, art, and designing green.
Reducing Energy Consumption
All NextGeneration Printing's state-of-the art equipment technology has built in systems to allow the machines to go to a "standby" mode after 20 minutes of non-use. Activating our power saver features on desktop computers can save 50 or 60 percent of wasted energy when left on, and idle, 24 hours per day.
Use Low Polluting Inks When Possible
Soy or vegetable based oils work just fine in many instances and are naturally low in VOC (volatile organic compounds) and are used by NextGeneration whenever possible. Petroleum-based inks leach VOC's into the soil in dumps and these tozins can also be released into the air as fresh inks dry. We avoid inks containing heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury, toxic chemicals, and solvents.
Reuse of Shipping Materials
Discarded packaging represents over 30 percent of the solid waste buried in U.S. landfills each year. Bindings, adhesives, foils and plastic bags used in packaging printed material can render paper non-recyclable. The Sustainable Packaging Coaltition http://www.sustainablepackaging.org is focused on raising awareness of the sustainability issues related to packaging. The SPC is committed to eco-friendly packaging production. We at NextGeneration Printing endeavor to reuse and recycle all packaging possible.
Use of Recycled Paper
Recycled paper accounts for less than 10% of the paper market, and yet many recycled papers are now competitively priced compared to virgin papers. NextGeneration Printing looks for Chlorine Free (PCF) and totally Chlorine Free (TCF) emblems to show they are deemed acceptable by the Chlorine Free Products Association http://www.chlorinefreeproducts.org/
If you are interested more information on the preservation and greening of printing practices, you many find the following organizations helpful: Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) http://www.sfiprogram.org and the Forest Stewardship Council http://www.fsc.org and the Center for Corporate Citizenship http://www.bcccc.net and the Golisano Institute for Sustainability http://www.sustainability.rit.edu
* much of the information contained on this page comes from the 2007 Issue 9 of Adobe Solutions Network Read Me Now publication.