A Greener Future
Sustainability has very much been one of the standout buzzwords in the industry during the past few years. Simply put, if you are not able to deliver a service that offers greener benefits to customers, then you risk missing out on valuable and profitable work.
While going green, so to speak, may be easier said than done, there are some simple steps that sign-makers can take to become a more sustainable business and communicate this to their clients.
Here, SignLink picks out some of the more planet-friendly materials you can use to produce a range of signage applications.
Keep With the Pace
Soyang Europe is one industry supplier that has long championed the use of environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional materials. Group managing director Mark Mashiter says as many customers and brands are specifying a more sustainable option, sign-makers need to respond with the services they offer.
“From what we have seen, the sign industry is moving towards using more environmentally friendly materials,” Mashiter says, adding: “This is much kinder to the world around us and helps with the wider recycling process, both for the sign-maker and customer.
“The danger of not adopting a more sustainable approach to sign production is that you risk being left behind while the rest of the sign industry embraces the change. Add in that you could lose business by not offering a sustainable option, and altering the way you make signs becomes a no-brainer.”
Soyang Europe’s PVC-free range includes roll lengths up to 5.05m wide
Soyang Europe has established a wide-reaching portfolio of sustainable materials for use in a host of signage applications.
These solutions include a selection of textiles made from recycled polyester for projects such as flags and backlit pieces, as well as PVC-free banner including pull-up material and mesh.
Other options available from Soyang Europe are PVC-free edging, as well as planet-friendly wallcoverings for use in all manner of wall décor projects and environmentally friendly SAVs suitable for decal work.
“Add in that our factory is also working constantly on ways to make our production more environmentally friendly, and that we are a certified Carbon Neutral business, and we are in an excellent position to help sign-makers achieve their green goals,” Mashiter says.
Significant Benefits
Elsewhere, all products available from Dufaylite are recyclable via traditional paper and cardboard recycling schemes. Ashley Moscrop, managing director of Dufaylite, says that as sustainability is important across all aspects of life to ensure our planet continues to function for many generations to come, sign-makers should focus on reducing their environmental impact and contributing to a more sustainable future.
O Factoid: All Dufaylite products are 100% recyclable via traditional paper and cardboard recycling schemes O
“When you take sustainability seriously, there are significant business benefits as well as the impact on the environment,” Moscrop explains, adding: “These include reducing waste and energy, which will help cut costs and can increase output, improving business profitability as well as helping the environment.
“Also, in terms of cost savings, implementing sustainable practices can reduce the use of raw materials, energy, water consumption, and operating costs which can lead to significant savings in the long run.
“In addition, sign-makers can expect to gain a competitive advantage. There are many benefits to adopting sustainable practices and many prefer to buy from environmentally conscious businesses.”
The use of sustainable materials not only benefits the signage company, Moscrop says, but also its customers. He says paperboard is a good example of how a sustainable substrate provides benefits. After use it can be recycled easily and businesses are paid for this waste.
“By adopting sustainable practices, sign-makers can reduce waste, conserve resources, and minimise their carbon footprint; they can make a positive environmental impact and help protect the planet,” he says.
Looking to Dufaylite’s portfolio of solutions, Moscrop says all products within its range are FSC-certified to ensure the paper it is using is coming from sustainably managed forests. The company is also a Carbon Neutral business, currently via offsetting, but with plans in place to invest in renewable energy to continue to drive towards net zero.
Dufaylite’s products are FSC-certified to ensure the paper it is using is coming from sustainably managed forests
“It is one thing to buy and use sustainable materials, however the impact of this is lessened and even negated if customers don’t recycle them,” Moscrop comments.
“So, it’s important to try wherever possible to limit the different types of materials and use easily and readily recyclable materials only."
Moscrop adds: “By not being sustainable, apart from the obvious impact on the planet, you risk being left behind commercially.
"As described, there are commercial benefits to sustainability, paired with the fact customers are demanding it. If you don’t pay attention and progress, your customers will find people who will.”
A Fundamental Subject
With printed work, sign-makers should also consider the type of ink they are using to create applications. To deliver a greener service to customers, opting for a water-based ink over other options like solvent, eco-solvent, and UV may be an effective approach.
HP has been offering its water-based HP Latex inks for a number of years now, with these being used on HP machines to produce all manner of signage.
HP’s Hardware take back program covers cartridges and printheads, as well as non-used hardware
Isabella Jelinek, North West Europe marketing manager for HP, explains that sustainability is fundamental to the fabric of the company.
She says: “We want to be more than a vendor; we want to be a partner in helping our customers exceed expectations and drive meaningful change that contributes to the longevity of our planet while maintaining profitable business.
“Sustainable impact is a business imperative. Governmental regulation will accelerate in the coming years in order to meet UN Sustainable Development Goals and businesses that don’t become sustainable could risk fines, reduction in customer loyalty, and loss of market share.
Environmental awareness continues to increase, and too the need to demonstrate commitment to minimising environmental impact.
Jelinek also explains that the benefits of adopting a more sustainable approach to business go much further than winning and keeping hold of customers. Additional benefits include safer operations as water-based ink such as HP Latex ink does not contain any hazardous elements or reactive chemicals.
Aside from its water-based inks, HP cartridges are now carton-based, which Jelinek says has reduced plastic use by 80% compared to previous cartridges and also cut the supply by CO2 by 66%. HP also runs its Planet Partner recycling program, an initiative for end-of-life HP products.
“As a company, we have a responsibility to lead the way,” Jelinek says. “We know that our customers often do not know where to look for the information, that is why we are focusing or delivering ready to download eco-conscious media alternative pre-set to unlock the full potential of our HP Latex solutions.
“And to close the loop, we listened to our customers’ pain points and we know that waste management is one of them. This led to the launch of our Hardware take back program, which not only covers cartridges and printheads, but also non-used hardware.”
Great Progress
Switching attention from suppliers to green-minded companies, Tradeprint offers a range of sign-making services with a planet-friendly approach. Anthony Rowell, sales and customer success director, and also sustainability lead at Tradeprint, says the sign industry is making great progress on the sustainability agenda.
“This was so obvious when I visited Sign and Digital UK recently; there was a buzz about the new more sustainable substrates and materials that are coming through,” Rowell explains.
“Epson has launched a water-based ink to compete with HP’s water-based Latex ink, while on a recent visit to HP I was really impressed with its approach to sustainability; the company underpins everything by facts to help ensure it doesn't get accused of ‘greenwashing’.”
For Rowell, the key benefits of sustainability for a sign-making business, all of which he has witnessed at Tradeprint, include a reduced environmental impact and contributing to a more sustainable future, as well as increased customer appeal to clients that prioritise sustainability.
Other stand-out benefits noted by Rowell were cost savings, in that by adopting sustainable practices, this can lead to cost savings particularly in terms of energy and waste.
In addition, taking a greener approach can improve your reputation as a business and establish yourself as responsible and environmentally conscious operation, which could then lead to increased customer loyalty and support.
As to how Tradeprint is playing its part in protecting the environment, Rowell says that the company offers PVC-free banner and posting printing.
The business also recently launched a new PVC-free substrate that he says is just as durable and versatile as PVC but does not contain chlorine and dioxins, which therefore makes it easier to dispose of than its PVC counterpart.
Tradeprint offers PVC-free banner and poster printing
“Recycling options within the UK are available for PVC-free substrates but are currently limited, so we are working with our waste partners to understand how this could be improved,” Rowell says.
“There are some options for recycling PVC but they rely on ensuring the waste is segregated and actually gets to the specialist recycler – there are some options so I’d encourage you to look at where your waste goes so you can make your best efforts.
"When PVC is thrown into either landfill or an incinerator it can release toxins that are negative for both humans and the environment if released in high enough concentrations.
“Choosing to go PVC-free is a step towards ensuring we are moving away from using less sustainable materials. Tradeprint is delighted to be able to offer customers a choice and we hope to bring more and more sustainable choices as new materials become more available.
Choosing to go PVC-free is a step towards ensuring we are moving away from using less sustainable materials”
“If I were to offer any advice it would be to engage with trade associations such as FESPA UK, BPIF, and IPIA and make the most of those memberships by getting involved.
"Networking with sustainability professionals and signage professionals so you get a good feel for what’s going on in the wider industry and you’ll get a better understanding of best practice from your peers.”
With a whole host of benefits to look forward to, it is easy to see why so many sign-makers have already made the move towards sustainability. Working with planet friendly materials, of which there are seemingly plenty, will go a long way to ensuring you can offer customers a greener service.
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