Digital printing processes, ink, substrate material film stock, technologies, production processes, and supply chain partners are now essential areas for the assessment of a business's environmental sustainability.
According to a McKinsey& Company report (2016) up to an average of 85% of a business’s total environmental impact occurs through the supply chain. A critical first step in achieving long-term sustainability of a business is gaining a clear and thorough understanding of your suppliers’ environmental practices.
However, there are also challenges in converting to greener operations at a print shop. If you can navigate them, your company can do its part to preserve the health of the environment and appeal to eco-conscious customers at the same time.
Sustainability Practices are Now Commercial Priorities
The market is becoming increasingly assertive in seeking businesses with eco-friendly materials for purchase. By selecting products that are compatible with consumer personal values and environmental regulations, businesses can often profit — many buyers even show a willingness to pay a higher price for responsibly sourced and produced products.
A report from a joint study by McKinsey and NielsenIQ (Feb 26, 2023) states that products making sustainability claims averaged 28% growth over the preceding 5-year period, compared to 20% for those not making such claims — a sign of the commercial response to customer demand for sustainable products.
Symbols of the Fair Trade, 1% for the Planet, and B Corp certifications can help both B2C and B2B customers readily identify companies that have proven their commitment to environmental preservation.
Going Green in Your Business Operations
The supply chain is typically among a business's biggest environmental impactors. Sourcing your digital printing materials and printable films from sustainable providers is a clear priority. Here are some of the most powerful methods of achieving your goal of making your digital printing business greener:
1. Choose partners and vendors that reflect your green commitment.
The process of vetting your supply chain for green operations typically starts with a survey of vendors to assess their level of environmental sustainability. That will help you determine whether their practices are aligned with your organization’s values of responsible sourcing. Eco-friendly print shops prioritize relationships with producers of inks, printing technology, print stock, and other materials that provide sustainable materials.
2. Get Certification and Spread the Word!
If your products and services fit with the organization’s purpose, you could obtain the highly sought Fair Trade Certification, validating your business’s adherence to global Fair Trade standards. Those include promoting sustainable jobs and working conditions and maintaining environmentally responsible supply chains.
If it’s more relevant to your business type, you could obtain the 1% for the Planet Certification. It signifies that a business donates 1% of annual sales revenues to environmental protection efforts. The 1% mission invests in environmental programs.
You could also work for B Corp Certification, which is awarded to businesses that meet high standards for environmental and social responsibility and transparency.
3. Report on your environmental impact efforts.
It’s crucial to provide up-front messaging that helps other like-minded businesses identify your commitments to environmentally conscious processes and products so that they can find you and do business with you.
If you get certified, participate in joint branding efforts with other certified businesses. Create abundant space, ideally a full page, on your website about your business’s commitment and approaches to minimize your adverse environmental impact. Talk about your organization’s values and ethical environmental practices. Make your eco-friendly business operations the centerpiece of your strategic marketing plan, not a briefly mentioned bullet list item.
If you’ve made major strides, or fully realized your goal for green operations, or obtained important certification, you might choose to create an Environmental Impact Report as a supplement to your Annual Report.
Eco-Friendly Commercial Window Film Design
Another challenge green businesses have had to overcome over the past decade is consumers’ incorrect impression that green products will look or be somehow different from standard versions. As an eco-friendly print service provider routinely using post-consumer recycled film components, LINTEC is very familiar with customers’ initial concerns and needs in this area.
LINTEC eco-friendly window film design options display the same or better clarity and vivid color graphics as standard alternatives. These are a few examples of green commercial printing in large scale window film design options in the LINTEC eco-friendly graphics printing product line:
Stunning Custom Large Scale Print Images
From colorful abstract effects to vivid photo-quality images, digital prints can provide an inspiring creative feature to realize your vision for your commercial space.
Advertising or Branding Displays
Eco-friendly window films by LINTEC deliver the same ideal clarity as traditional films made from PET or newer plastic formulae but with the added environmental benefits and eco-friendly branding opportunity.
Frosted and Etched Glass Images
Beautiful window film prints with a textured, frosted, or etched glass aesthetic provide an upgraded appearance in a space and provide privacy between interior spaces.
Informational Signage
Eco-friendly window graphics can be used to create informational or educational displays, for example, for user instructions or company messaging, such as slogans, inspiring quotes, etc.
LINTEC Digital Window Graphics
Retail and business consumers have decided to turn their shopping focus to increasing the sustainability of their purchasing as part of reducing their own environmental impact. They look more carefully now at green certifications and other indicators of green production, shipping, and sales practices of businesses they're considering.
Effective branding on these fronts can empower you to stand out in a crowded marketplace to prospective customers. This is all as you promote the improvement of the environment and your business’s continued success.
LINTEC of America offers eco-friendly printable window graphics to match your most creative vision with the world's best digital images on expansive, optically clear window film that can elevate any space. It’s an excellent way to provide products that will help businesses increase foot traffic and revenue while also serving the common cause of environmental preservation that we all share.
For more information about eco-friendly printing, call (847) 229-0547, or email info@lintecofamerica.com and ask us how to get started with printable graphic window films!
