Tips for Green Printing: How To Stay Sustainable in 2025

As the world continues to prioritize sustainability, publishers and businesses that produce printed materials – whether books, magazines or catalogs – are increasingly seeking environmentally responsible ways to bring their products to life. Green printing is no longer a niche concern; it’s a necessity. The good news? It’s more accessible than ever in 2025.

Whether you’re an established publisher or a brand with a growing need for printed communications, these practical tips will help reduce your environmental impact while maintaining high-quality results.

1. Work with a Sustainable Printing Partner

The first and arguably most impactful choice you can make is selecting a printer that prioritizes sustainability in both practice and philosophy. Look for a printing partner that:

• Is certified with environmental organizations, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI®).
  
• Employs renewable energy in production facilities.
  
• Invests in waste reduction and recycling programs throughout their operations.

A sustainable printer will often be transparent about their processes and be eager to help you achieve your own eco-friendly goals.

2. Choose Environmentally Responsible Paper

Paper selection is critical when it comes to sustainable printing. In 2025, there are more eco-conscious paper options available than ever, without sacrificing quality. Here’s what to look for:

• Recycled Content: Choose paper that includes post-consumer recycled content, ideally 30% or more. Many premium recycled options now match the appearance and feel of virgin paper.
  
• Forest Certification: Paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) or Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) ensures responsible sourcing from well-managed forests.
  
• Alternative Fibers: Some printers offer paper made from agricultural waste or fast-growing plants like hemp or bamboo, which reduce reliance on traditional tree-based sources.
  

Ask your printer for recommendations based on your project specs and sustainability goals.

3. Be Mindful of Ink Choices

Not all inks are created equal. Petroleum-based inks have long been the industry standard, but they come with a higher environmental cost. For a greener print job, consider:

• Soy- and Vegetable-Based Inks: These inks are derived from renewable resources and produce lower VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions.
  
• Low-VOC or VOC-Free Inks: VOCs contribute to air pollution and smog. Choosing low- or zero-VOC inks helps improve air quality and workplace safety.
  
• Digital Toner Printing: Some digital printing presses use toner-based printing, which may be a good option for reducing the emissions associated with ink. Digital toner printing is effective for short-run projects like photo books and marketing materials.
  

In 2025, many printers offer environmentally friendly inks as their default or will happily make accommodations upon request.

4. Print Only What You Need

One of the simplest ways to reduce your environmental impact is to avoid overprinting. While that may sound obvious, it’s important to calculate exactly how many copies you need to avoid excess inventory and paper waste. Avoiding overprinting not only reduces your company’s environmental impact but also saves money on printing and material costs.

Consider these methods:

• Print-on-Demand (POD): Great for books and catalogs with fluctuating demand, POD eliminates unnecessary waste by printing only when there’s a confirmed need.
  
• Short Runs: Digital printing allows for smaller print quantities, which lessens storage needs and reduces unsold inventory.
  
• Data-Driven Distribution: Use analytics to refine your mailing lists or distribution points, targeting only the most relevant recipients.

5. Design With Sustainability in Mind

Eco-conscious design can go a long way toward minimizing your project’s footprint. Your creative team and your printer can collaborate to make design decisions that reduce environmental impact while maintaining your desired aesthetic. 

Here are a few sustainable design tactics to keep in mind:

• Optimize Dimensions: Standard sizes typically produce less paper waste during the trimming process. Talk to your printer about the most efficient trim sizes.
  
• Use Minimalistic Design Elements: Large solids of dark ink use more resources. Clean, simple designs that use white space effectively can be both modern and sustainable.
  
• Consider Binding Options: Some bindings are more recyclable than others. For example, saddle-stitching (stapled spines) is easier to recycle than perfect binding (glued spines).
  

6. Eco-Friendly Packaging and Fulfillment

Once your printed pieces are ready to ship, how they’re packaged and delivered makes a difference. Here are some tips for keeping your fulfillment program sustainable:

• Choose Recyclable or Compostable Packaging Materials: Avoid plastic where possible. Cardboard, paper-based mailers and compostable films are all viable alternatives.
  
• Use Minimal Packaging: Eliminate excess filler and avoid double boxing when possible.
  
• Consolidate Shipments: Batch deliveries or use regional fulfillment centers to reduce the number of trucks on the road and overall fuel consumption.
  

7. Offset Carbon Emissions

Even with the most responsible practices, printing and shipping create carbon emissions. Fortunately, carbon offset programs can help balance that impact.

• Work with printers that participate in offset programs, such as reforestation efforts or renewable energy investments.
• Seek out low-emission printing equipment: Working with a printing partner that has installed low-emission presses and equipment in their plant goes a long way in keeping your printing program sustainable.
  
• Consider voluntary offsets for your projects through certified organizations like Gold Standard or ClimeCo.

Keep Your Printing Program Sustainable With Walsworth

Sustainability in printing isn’t a passing trend – it’s an evolving standard. In 2025, the tools, technology and materials exist to create beautiful printed pieces without sacrificing environmental responsibility. By making thoughtful choices at every stage of the process – from paper and ink to packaging and partnerships – publishers and businesses can reduce their impact while still reaping the many benefits of print.

Walsworth’s commitment to sustainability influences our business practices at every step. We’ve implemented green initiatives in our printing process, such as installing low-emission press equipment and using aluminum plates that are easily recyclable. We also use vibrant vegetable-based ink, which is not only safer for the environment but also simplifies the recycling process compared to traditional petroleum-based ink. Additionally, we recycle over 30 million pounds of fiber-based products annually, further reducing waste and promoting sustainability.

If you’re ready to partner with a printer who helps set the standard of sustainable printing in 2025, contact us today to get started.

* This article was developed with assistance from OpenAI’s GPT-4 large language AI model.