This document discusses planning environmentally-friendly print projects. It provides information on factors to consider for printed pieces like size, finishing operations, bleeds, and ink coverage. It also discusses choosing lithographic versus digital printing methods and paper substrates. The document emphasizes choosing options that effectively communicate messages while reducing costs and environmental impacts. Resources for sustainable printing are provided.

1. Planning an
Environmentally-Friendly
Print Project
Bob Swoverland and Shawn Welch
University of Minnesota Printing Services

2. U of M Moment:
Do we buy green to improve social status?
(link to online video)

4. What does this mean for
University of Minnesota
Communications?
• How do we make environmentally-friendly
printing decisions?
• Why do we make those decisions?
• Will anyone ever know the full extent of what
wonderfully responsible stewards of the
environment we are? (maybe not…but it’s OK)

5. The printed piece…
• Size
• Finishing Operations
• Bleeds
• Ink Coverage

6. The printed piece…
Weight of delivered product
8.5” x 11”, 80# Classic Crest Text
1,000 15.8 lbs
5,000 79.0 lbs
10,000 158.0 lbs
9” x 12”, 80# Classic Crest Text
1,000 18.2 lbs
5,000 91.0 lbs
10,000 182.0 lbs

7. The printed piece…
Waste/Spoilage
Press run, full color, 2-sided
Quantity
1,000
5,000
10,000
8.5” x 11”
no bleed
48.6 lbs
53.0 lbs
59.0 lbs
8.5” x 11”
with bleed
60.2 lbs
77.0 lbs
98.0 lbs
9” x 12”
with bleed
71.3 lbs
92.9 lbs
119.8 lbs

8. The printed piece…
• Multi-purpose…
– Multiple messages
• Support marketing messages
• Support electronic communications
• Direct audience to website
• Combine printed pieces
– Multiple use

9. The method…
• Litho vs. Digital
– Reduced costs don’t necessarily mean
reduced environmental costs
– Large run vs. On-demand (digital)

10. The substrate…
• What are all of my choices?
• Logos, logos, logos… what do I need?
• Where is the paper located?

11. The substrate…

12. The messaging…
• The Power of Personalization
– Personalized text increases response rate by
44%
– Personalized imagery increases response
rate by another 143%
Source: Romano & Broudy

13. The messaging…
• Kennesaw State University
– 27.5% reduction in printing and mailing cost per kit
– One-third fewer generic brochures printed
• Smaller print runs targeted to specific audiences
• Higher response rate means fewer follow-up mailings/electronic
communications
• Almost no make-ready waste and no obsolescence
Source: 2005 PODi, the Digital Printing Initiative
Can improved response rates
result in less waste?

14. The messaging…
• Effectively Communicate (Will you achieve
your desired results?)
• Reduce Costs
• Reduce Environmental Impact
The Big 3 – how do we choose
the best form of communication?

15. Resources
http://www.re-nourish.com/
http://sustainable.print.rit.edu/
http://www.newleafpaper.com/designers-
and-printers/sustainable-printing