Current Environmental Practices
Every business endeavor has some impact on our planet. To minimize ours, we’ve made some big investments that we think have a real and positive impact on the environment. Green isn’t a logo, or a certification or some empty designation posted for all the world to see, it’s a way of life that makes sense and lowers our footprint on our planet. Read on to learn how we’ve refined our practices to better reflect our commitment to a healthier planet and workplace.
If it’s good for the earth, it’s good for the bottom line — period.
Offset Printing
- All of our house papers are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
- All scraps and paper trimmings are recycled.
- Surplus usable paper is donated to local schools, because part of being responsible is actually using the paper that has been created.
Ink
- We use top-quality flaxseed-based ink. Flaxseed ink runs better and drys on its own, naturally. This is in contrast with supposedly “eco” soy ink, which requires the addition of heavy metals in its formulation to dry.
- Our process inks do not contain any VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which is better for everyone.
Large Format Printing
Our wide format digital printer uses LED to cure its non-toxic eco-inks. These inks are VOC-free and have no harmful or unpleasant off-gassing — good to know when you are hanging signage inside your facility.
Digital Printing
- Less paper waste
- Uses no water
Equipment and Facilities
- We invest in new equipment that uses less water, energy and eliminates chemicals
- We find a home for old, yet useful equipment instead of sending it to a landfill
- Unusable equipment is recycled
- We used recycled office furniture for our new facility
- We have upgraded our entire HVAC system to high-efficiency equipment
- Our facility is illuminated entirely with ultra-efficient LED lighting
- Our lunchroom appliances are high-efficiency. We use real cups, plates and silverware to reduce the waste associated with workplace lunches
- We compost our food scraps
- We conserve energy by powering off any equipment that is not currently in-use
- We send electronic documents whenever possible, such as digital proofs, invoices and other communications
- We upcycled office storage cabinets to create planting beds for a company vegetable garden and use our rain barrel for watering
- We have rooftop bee hives — because pollinators need all the help they can get right now and our vegetables love them!
Environmental/Ecological Organizations we Support
- Carbonfund
- American Forest Foundation
- Sitka Conservation Society
- Audubon Society
Looking to the future
We are actively planning for the installation of solar panels on our roof. If you are as excited about this as we are, stay tuned to see the process unfold!
Non-Profit and Community Enrichment
We’ve built strong relationships with non-profits we believe in, contributing via donations, pro-bono or discounted services. We believe if people in our community are supported and inspired to achieve their best, we all do better.
Read on to view a partial list of organizations we value and support.
Good citizenship isn’t only about the environment, it’s also about supporting our community.
Arts
- Evanston Art Center
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- Old Town School of Folk Music
- Rivendell Theater Company
Education
- Friends of Audubon (Chicago Public School)
- Friends of Coonley (Chicago Public School)
- Greenhouse Scholars
- Literature for All of Us
Community Support
- Common Pantry
- Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership
- Strides for Peace
- Thresholds
- Wounded Warriors
Client-Focused Donations
- For clients who have foundations or charities that are near and dear to them, we will donate a percentage of their yearly print orders to the organization(s) of their choosing.