In an increasingly digital age, it is almost impossible to imagine a world without print. It is a highly effective medium to communicate to the masses, and it’s relatively quick, easy, and cheap to do. Printed pieces engage with the audience more than any other medium, and with lots of different options to choose from, it can be very versatile, and often extremely persuasive. There is an element of longevity and authority to printing pieces that doesn’t quite work the same with electronic marketing; making it an extremely important vehicle for advertising, education, entertainment and of course, information. Predominantly paper-based, printing companies are at the forefront of improvements to the environment when it comes to replanting trees and coming up with more eco friendly printing options. We’ve taken a look at the facts and figures for eco friendly printing and the importance of sustainable printing solutions.
Economic importance
The UK is the fifth largest producer of printing products in the world; contributing almost £1billion to the UK’s balance of trade. We employ nearly 140,000 people in the UK printing section across approx. 10,5000 companies; making the UK printing sector an important contributor and employer to the whole of the UK.
Print adds value
Within the manufacturing industry, printing is the second sector to add the most value than any other sector, behind pharmaceuticals. Most printed products have a greater impact on the marketing sector too; from direct mail, posters and point of sale, to newspapers, magazines and brochures, as well as packaging, labels and additional marketing materials.
Print is the ideal medium
Print can be mass-produced or personalised in small quantities. Advertising in print is twice as effective as television, as magazines and catalogues allows brands to engage with customers for up to 25minutes at a time. Print understands the needs of the customer and grabs attention, and therefore their time. People often return to publications a number of times, meaning it will be viewed more than once. And the tactile-ness of print stimulates the senses in a way no other medium really can. The most effective marketing campaign is still one that combines print alongside other mediums, such as TV and online media; to increase brand awareness across all mediums.
Sustainable printing
Print and paper are an attractive, practical and sustainable medium for communication. The paper industry is a relatively small user of wood with only 11% of the wood extracted from forests being used by the paper industry. And the recycling rate in Europe has increased significantly with over 60% of paper being recovered and recycled. Having said that, deforestation is a huge issue affecting the climate, animals and most aspects of the environment, so it’s important to use recycled paper where possible. Recycling not only reduces the rate of deforestation; it also reduces the amount of harmful gases being released into the atmosphere – with recycled paper generating 73% less air pollution than manufacturing paper from raw materials.
John E Wright – an eco friendly printing company
Printing still adds value to any business. And by delivering integrated marketing solutions, businesses are gaining even more value through the combination of print and electronic media. Appropriate recycling is imperative, whatever industry you are in. At John E Wright, we give careful consideration to recycling when thinking about print. We understand the impact that printing has on the environment, and we are committed to making a difference. As members of the Carbon Capture scheme since January 2020, we are actively involved in reducing our impact on the environment.
If you’re in the market for a sustainable printing company that cares about the environment, or are looking for some eco-friendly printing, we would love to hear from you. For more information please don’t hesitate to contact your local office or contact us and we’d be delighted to help you. You can also call our head office on: 0115 950 6633