Lower Carb by Design

21st March, 2010

Print is an enriching medium that uses valuable resources. But when we use those resources efficiently, before, during, or after production, we can reduce the size of our footprint on the natural world.

In support of sustainable design, and print the message is threefold. Lower carbon design can be cost efficient, eco sensitive and beautiful.

Think Differently
Then following examples give graphic professional the opportunity to think about design differently, because co design includes every step in the process of getting a printed piece into the hands of end users and bend.

Once print options are chosen, but before printing actually begins, steps cans be taken for production to minimize chemical and paper waste.

Optimum Sheet Use
Work closely with the printer early in the planning process. Parent sheets of paper typically come in several standard sizes. Designers can size their projects to make more efficient use of standard sheet sizes, printing two, three, four up (or more) to use less paper and to minimize the amount of waste. Presses also have optimum sheet sizes, so work directly with your printer in the planning stages.

Smaller Saves
Rethinking size in general is a good place to begin. Can a smaller piece serve the same purpose and have as much impact as a larger piece? Large or odd sized designed pieces may not use paper efficiently and can result in substantial amounts of waste. Reducing size no only minimizes waste and energy. More