Guides
Printing guides
Practical answers from more than 35 years of printing on recycled paper: standard sizes, how to set up a file, how to choose paper, and what makes printing more sustainable.
100% post-consumer recycled stock, soy-based ink, chlorine-free bleaching, FSC certified.
01
Sizes and setup
Print sizes and file setup
Standard dimensions, bleed, pixel sizes and the settings a printer needs, for the pieces people print most.
Business card sizeStandard 3.5 x 2 in, sizes by country, bleed, safe area and card thickness.Postcard sizes4 x 6 to 6 x 11 in, and which sizes mail at the USPS postcard rate.Flyer and brochure sizesLetter, half letter and tabloid flyers, tri-fold panel widths and paper that folds cleanly.Poster sizes11 x 17 to 24 x 36 in, A0 to A3, frame sizes and resolution for large prints.Envelope sizes chartA2, A7, #10, catalog and square envelopes, and the card each one fits.Print-ready filesBleed, resolution, color and export settings, with a checklist before you send.
See every post on the blog02
Paper
Paper and materials
Types of paper for printingCoated and uncoated, text and cover, recycled, cotton, kraft and stone paper.Paper weight guidePounds, gsm and points explained, with the right weight for each job.Post-consumer recycled paperWhat PCW means and how to read the recycled content on a paper spec.What FSC certified meansThe three FSC labels and what each one tells you about a sheet.Biodegradable and compostable paperWhich papers, inks and coatings break down, and which belong in recycling.Paper stocks we print onRecycled, cotton, kraft and stone paper stocks, with the recycled content and certification for each.
03
Green printing
Green printing basics
How sustainable printing works, how to check a printer's claims and how to choose the process that suits the job.
Green printing guideRecycled and FSC paper, soy inks, chlorine-free processing and run size.Choosing an eco friendly printerThe questions to ask any printer about paper, ink, bleaching and the press.Soy based ink printingWhat soy ink is, how it compares with petroleum ink and how it affects recycling.Digital vs offset printingWhich process suits your quantity, colors, paper and deadline.Pantone color matchingSpot and process color, coated and uncoated swatches, and color on recycled paper.Eco friendly packaging for small businessMailers, boxes, labels and inserts that stay recyclable.
04
Color and finishes
Color and finishes
How screen colors translate to ink, and how to choose a finish for business cards and stationery.