Greg Barber Green Tips

I have posted over 30 Green printing Tips on the Eco-Libris blog. Eco-Libris plants 1 tree for every book bought. Please take a look at their site. http://www.eco-libris.com.

The updated, direct link for my tips is found in the center of our Home Page, next to Green Drinks, and at the bottom of this page.

I have tried hard to create as many Green Tips as I could think of. I am now researching other blogs and looking for other print subjects to bring to you.

I personally feel that to make any environmental printing decision, you need to know the environmental terms and be educated as to what Green Printing is, so you can avoid being Green Washed.

I cringe looking at the green deals on the internet that I know are misleading. I prefer you ask me what I think of any special printing deal, so I can confirm to you that the deal is for real.

We prefer that you buy paper and printing that is Third Party Certified, and certified by groups that are well known in our industry.

I encourage you to email me with any question you might have on any tip, and I will be back to you.   greg@ecofriendlyprinter.com

(11/04/2009) Tip #1
Any printing that can fit on, up to, 500 sheets of 13 x 20 paper, is probably a digital job. I would check our offset pricing at around 300 sheets. We can fit 4.25 x 6 postcards, 9 up, on 13 x 20 cover, which will yield 4500 postcards. [complete article]

(11/04/2009) Tip #2 - How Using Eco-friendly Printing Practices While Printing A Brochure Or A Book Will Save Me Money?
I would suggest using a less expensive paper in 100% post-consumer waste, recycled paper.Many of my clients use 90 brightness paper, instead of 96 brightness, which saves them 50% on the paper. That might save 20% overall in your printing.This paper ... [complete article]

(11/04/2009) Tip #3 - How To Let Let Your Clients Know You Are Being Responsible In Your Printing
How you make sure everyone knows you're using green printing practices and it doesn't stay between you and your printer?Tip #3My clients want to look environmental in their printing. What do I recommend they do?I suggest that my clients include the ... [complete article]

(11/04/2009) Tip #4 - What Does FSC Certified Mean? Is It Enough?
FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council. This council certifies that thepaper mills are following strict procedures in managing their forests.The FSC wants to make sure the forests are managed properly and that new trees can grow and that the ... [complete article]

(11/04/2009) Tip #5 - How Can I Avoid Being Green Washed In Being A Green Buyer Of Printing?
This is easier said than done. Buying printing takes a lot of education on the terminology. I suggest that you know the basic terminology. I have three examples of potential Green Washing.Example 1 - Recycled paper is paper that has a minimum of ... [complete article]

(11/04/2009) Tip #6 - Is Spot Color Printing Environmentally Friendly?
Yes. Custom Pantone®, Spot Color Printing, uses significantly less paper, ink, solvents, and energy, compared to normal four color offset printing. We use vegetable based inks, consisting of Soya, Chinawood and Linseed , which are all ... [complete article]

(11/04/2009) Tip #7 - What Is The Best Alternative If You Can't Afford To Buy Seed Paper?
First, Seed paper is paper with seeds in the sheets. When ready to be recycled, the consumer is encouraged to bury the postcard, etc in their backyard and the seeds will grow into Wild Flowers.This paper only comes in 13 x 19 cover weight, and ... [complete article]

(11/04/2009) Tip #8 - Does It Cost A Lot More To Print My Book On Recycled Paper?
To answer this question, I decided to show a couple printed quotes for books we printed on 100% PCW (Post Consumer Waste) recycled paper. Then I compared those quotes to printing on non recycled paper. Example #1: 220 page book (soft cover)QTY: ... [complete article]

(11/04/2009) Tip #9 - What To Look For When Selecting A “green” Print Vendor?
Here are the questions you should ask: 1. Is the printer FSC certified? That will narrow your search. It takes a lot to be certified.2. Does the printer stock Environmental paper, and if yes, what grades?If the house stock includes 100% ... [complete article]

(11/04/2009) Tip #10 - Are You Buying Environmentally Sound Business Cards?
That seems like a crazy question to many people who think they are printing environmentally. Now, take your business cards and check them out.To be environmental, you should be using paper that is high in Post-Consumer Waste. 100% PCW is the ... [complete article]

(11/04/2009) Tip #11 - What Are Your Green Options When It Comes To Promotional Items?
Whether you have a trade show coming or you start thinking about the gifts you want to give your customers this year for the holidays, you might want to consider some eco-friendly options. They're creative, fun, show your customers the ... [complete article]

(11/04/2009) Tip #12 - How To Prepare Files For Your Next Green Digital Run
Digital printing has increased my Green printing sales. Most of our clients are smaller green entrepreneurs, and many are brand new to printing in general. I get a lot of questions from these young entrepreneurs, who want to do the ... [complete article]

(11/04/2009) Tip #13 - Are You Looking For Back To School Environmental Ideas?
Everyone is occupied these days with back to school issues and so are we! Our tip today talks about ways to green it up whether you're a student, parent, teacher or a school staff member. Normal0MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ ... [complete article]

(11/04/2009) Tip #14 - Can Directories Be Green?
Today we are talking about an interesting question that concerns something many of us automatically considered as junk mail, but at the same time is an important commercial tool. Can your directories be considered green? That's a tough ... [complete article]

(11/04/2009) Tip #15 - Are PDF Files The Best Fit For Every Document?
Today we are talking about a question that keeps popping up as we see more and more printing jobs transfer into digital format. Greg is discussing this trend and offering a way to combine both formats together in a way that is effective from a ... [complete article]

(11/04/2009) Tip #16 - Can Green Printing Be Done On A Rush Basis?
Today Greg is discussing a question that is especially relevant for those of us who have printing job to do in the last minute, but still want to do it in an environmentally sound manner.Let's say you you have an urgent printing job to do and you ... [complete article]

(11/04/2009) Tip #17 - How Do You Save Money On Your Next Print Job?
Today Greg is discussing a question that is raised now more than ever when it comes to green printing: How Do You Save Money On Your Next Print Job?Saving money is the first priority of many businesses and organizations who need print jobs, and we ... [complete article]

(11/04/2009) Tip #18 - What Is Rock Paper, And Why Is It Considered A Green Paper?
Rock paper? Yes! I'm not sure how many have heard of this paper but rock paper is made from approximately 85% Limestone and Calcium Carbonate. I call it recycled rock paper, since it is made from torn down buildings.Here are some of the things ... [complete article]

(11/04/2009) Tip #19 - How Can Graphic Designers Make A Difference And Green Up Your Printing Jobs?
Lately I have had graphic designers come to me "before" they design their next projects. I like that. If you want to print an environmental brochure, or you have any other printing job you want to do in an environmentally sound manner, you need ... [complete article]

(11/04/2009) Tip #20 - How To Create A Green Packaging Job
OK, so you did everything you needed to green up your printing job, whether it's a new brochure, reports, or promotional materials for your customers. But what about packaging?Sometimes we tend to forget this part, but not only does packaging ... [complete article]

(11/04/2009) Tip #21 - What New Developments Have Surfaced In Green Papers?
This is the first part of a series I will run on paper for the next 4 weeks. In this series I will feature the major mills and the variety of "green" options they offer. Today, I am just touching on two mills: Mohawk Paper and Neenah Paper.1. ... [complete article]