Why You Need Sustainable Practices in Your Commercial Print Shop

Recently, the commercial print industry has begun its journey to an era where sustainability is no longer a simple buzzword but a full-fledged competitive advantage. However, sustainability is not simply the adoption of practices that can significantly reduce negative environmental impact; it’s more about efficiency and grasping the agility to have overall less wastage in an organization’s resources.

In fact, did you know that between 1% to 3% of a company’s revenue is being wasted annually because of inefficient printers, copiers, and fax machines? That’s definitely not just an environmental issue; it’s clearly a business-related one, too, which is why, for print shops, it’s time to stop and think about how the industry deals with this problem. After all, adopting more sustainable systems isn’t just environmentally sound—it directly impacts your bottom line.

Sustainable Practices For Print Shops

The good news is that, in the face of this issue, the commercial print industry is evolving, and sustainable practices have become one of the leading trends in this industry. Many customers nowadays prefer working with commercial print businesses that have ethical backgrounds and eco-friendly operations. Having these can give your shop the edge it needs to attract more customers to your business.

With that in mind, what sustainable practices should commercial printers consider adopting? Here are three:

1. Choose Eco-friendly Materials 
   Using materials like eco-friendly ink can lead to better biodegradability and minimize the release of harmful chemicals that contribute to pollution. In addition, using FSC-certified and recycled papers is also a great way to support ethical forestry practices. 
   
   
2. Reduce Electricity Consumption  
   Less electricity consumption leads to fewer carbon emissions. Investing in energy-efficient printers (such as those from Canon or HP, which use efficient sleep modes and auto-off technology) can significantly help in ensuring sustainability. 
   
   
3. Using Print Management Software (PMS)
   Finally, to reduce paper waste, your shop should consider using PMS to monitor print usage. Software like PaperCut (available in SumnerOne’s print solutions), for instance, allows you to set print quotas and limit excessive printing. PMS also offers the  “Eco-Mode Printing” setting, which uses lower ink density settings to help reduce your overall ink waste.

Your Partner in Eco-Friendly Printing

Adopting these sustainable practices may seem overwhelming, but the benefits are simply too good to ignore. These measures can lead to cost-efficient operations and even have the bonus benefit of boosting your business reputation, which can attract eco-conscious clients.

If you want sustainable print solutions for your business, it’s essential to do careful planning and seek the expertise of print experts. With over seven decades of experience in helping businesses across the Midwest with their business needs, SumnerOne is a clear-cut choice when it comes to print technology. Our print solutions will enable your print shop to integrate sustainable practices into your printing processes, while providing you with modern copiers that are tailored to your needs and budget.

If you want sustainable print solutions for your print shop, send us a message today!