Once the postcard has been designed and the paper has been chosen, it is time to print and mail your direct mail campaign. There are several steps to take during this stage of the process in order to minimize the environmental footprint, while also saving time and money. And you’ll do this by choosing, for instance, digital printing.
Process of Digital Printing
1. Choosing a Printer
Work with printing and production companies that have clear environmental policies. Identify companies with a great environmental commitment by evaluating what they are doing to minimize air pollution, water pollution, energy use and chemical waste.
Another factor to consider when choosing a printer is where it is located. The closer the company is to a USPS office the easier it will be to ship. Reducing shipping distance saves time, energy and costs.
Finally, find a
printer with a reputation for quality and customer service, and order a sample kit. Most companies will send you samples free of charge so you can see the quality of their finished materials firsthand.
See also
11 Simple and Smart Ways to Master a Green Direct Mail Campaign [Infographic]
2. Plan for Efficiency
By working with the design team, printers can help facilitate the “gang” of print runs. Ganging, where different direct mail and marketing components are printed in a single print run, reduces waste, particularly on short print runs.
3. Try new techniques for printing
Be open to testing new printing and production methods that could result in increased efficiency. When it comes to printing, this includes experimenting with new printing techniques like digital and computer-to-plate printing. These innovative techniques contribute to reduced chemical waste, paper waste, and overall emissions.
4. Eliminate hard copy proofs
Encourage printers to utilize electronic publishing whenever possible. This has a dramatic effect on the pre-press and printing processes since PDF proofing can eliminate the need for hard copy proofs and allows the proofs to be circulated more quickly. This saves the company time, money and resources. Develop a comprehensive review process for final proofs so that no mistake is overlooked, thereby requiring a reprint of the entire batch.
5. Recycling
Lastly, work with the printer company to ensure the recyclability of the project. For this, it is important to utilize ink that has minimal volatile organic compounds (VOC’s). Ideally, you should state a preference for vegetable and/or soy-based inks. These are an ideal alternative to petroleum-based inks not only because they are less toxic, but also because they are made from a renewable resource.
However, it is important that the printer works closely with the design team and the paper supplier to make sure the job can be printed with these inks since only certain papers can accommodate low VOC ink.
Which of these tips can your company implement right away to become even greener?
