Going Green: Questions to Ask Your Printer
Ready to dive, head first, into the waters of sustainable print production? Perhaps you’ve taken a peek at some of the sites provided in “Going Green: 45 Educational Resources” and now you’re eager to take off the arm floaties?
What about your print partners? Are they swimming in the same ocean or are they knee-deep in the cesspool? There was that postcard you received that said “we’re green printers”. That means they’re doing everything they can to provide an eco-friendly product. Right? And, they’re FSC-certified and that’s all that really matters. Right?
Time to throw in the life-preserver? How about a questionnaire, instead? Asking these questions will help you determine how well your print partners REALLY swim in the eco-friendly waters.
Inks & Chemicals
- What is being done to minimize emissions, including VOCs, in your shop?
- How much soy is used in your ink?
- Are your inks nonhazardous or nontoxic?
- Can you provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on your inks?
- Are the cleaning solvents used safe for human health and the environment?
- How are your employees safeguarded from toxicity?
Recycling
- What is the post consumer waste (PCW) content of your primary or house stock?
- Has your shop established a solvent recycling program?
- Describe how and where you dispose of chemicals, solvents and trash?
- Describe how your production methods reduce print overruns, waste allowances, and in-process waste.
- Do you go beyond regulatory requirements?
Internal Programs & Certifications
- Are you FSC- and/or SFI-certified?
- Is your shop ISO 14000-qualified?
- What other certification programs do you take part in?
- Does your organization have a dedicated manager for environmental health and safety?
- Describe any technologies, such as non-process printing plates, remote or soft proofing, etc. that your organization has incorporated into daily practice.
- What is being done to minimize your shops’ energy consumption?
- Does your organization purchase electricity generated from renewable resources?
- If you also manage data files (direct mail processing), what steps have you taken to ensure or assist with list management and data cleansing?
External Programs & Community Involvement
- Describe your organization’s environmental commitment.
- Does your organization’s mission statement include mention of environmental stewardship or corporate responsibility?
- Do you currently have a “green” education program for your customers?
- Describe any additional steps your shop has taken to promote the environment, including community engagement practices?
- Describe any additional eco-friendly practices not already mentioned?
Here’s an idea: Send these questions, along with any others that come to mind, to each of your print partners. Compile the (private) answers together into one spreadsheet to create an at-a-glance reference guide.
Can you think of any other important questions to ask? I’d love to hear them in the comments below.
One more thing: My next “Going Green” post will be all about meandering through the Environmental Certifications maze. If you don’t want to miss it or any others for that matter, connect to The Production Side through the RSS feed or email notifications in the right side-bar.
Photo courtesy PhotoXpress.com
Printer Proof Reviews and The Ticking Clock
A few weeks ago my husband announced a business trip that would take him away for two nights. My immediate (secret) reaction was “Yes!” I promptly began to dream of the wonderful, enticing possibility of two full nights’ sleep with no noisy snoring and no obnoxiously loud fan. (I think that’s a guy thing.)
My plan for a sleep-filled eight hours in full motion, the long-anticipated first night of bliss arrived. As I walked down the hall to the bedroom I smiled in celebratory anticipation. It was all about me. I turned off the obnoxiously loud fan, hopped into bed and snuggled my head on my pillow. Bring on the sleep!
And then . . . tick, tock, tick, tock, tick.
Oh no! All these years of attempting sleep through the noisy snoring and obnoxiously loud fan and I never realized that the clock on the wall was not meant to coexist with silence. That clock was loud!
As I contemplated how the clock would meet its demise, it occurred to me that my plight was like reviewing printer’s proofs. Printer’s proofs are the last stage of a project before hitting the press. It’s so easy to focus all of your attention on one or two potential problem areas while reviewing them that you forget to check for other possible mishaps. You may, for example, focus so much of your attention on correct image color that you miss an inconsistent rule. It’s easy to do.
Remember to take the time to review ALL aspects of the proof. Don’t forget that there may be a ticking clock waiting to jump off the page after your project is completed. Try this five-step review process:
1. Take It All In
The first step is to look at your proofs as a whole project. Don’t zero in on one area (yet).
2. Check Your Concerns
Next, take a look at the photos and areas you have concerns or issues with. Go ahead. You know you want to!
3. Inch By Inch
Now it’s time to check EVERYTHING else. And I do mean everything. Don’t miss a single inch. For example: Are all images/photos included and properly placed? Are photos cropped correctly and showing correct color? Are all fonts correct? Is the text clean and nicely kerned? Has all text been proofed and properly placed? Have you checked all names, addresses, email addresses, website URLs and telephone numbers? Have you noted any dust spots, printing marks, or dirt marks on the proofs? Have you confirmed that bleeds extend beyond the trim marks? . . . and that’s just a partial list, but I think you get the idea.
4. Specs Check
Next, confirm that all project specs have been clearly articulated and that the printer understands your needs. Be sure to verify and confirm page order and numbering, folds, trim size, quantities and substrate, ink colors and coatings, finishing requirements (e.g., die cut, foil, embossed), due dates and delivery requirements.
5. Take It All In Again
Have you forgotten anything? Are you sure your notes are clear and concise? Have you made any adjustments that could compromise other aspects of your project? If the edits you’ve indicated are made, will you be pleased and ready to go on press?
While I haven’t covered everything that needs to be checked and confirmed as you review printer’s proofs, I do hope I’ve convinced you to remember the ticking clock. Do you have a process for reviewing proofs? Do you have any proofing lessons learned? I’d love to read your thoughts on the subject in the comments below.
Oh, my second night of blissful silence? Let’s just say that clocks don’t work without batteries. I wonder when the next business trip will be . . .
Photo courtesy PhotoXpress.com
