The environment seems to be top of mind for many people and companies these days, but where does that leave small and medium sized printers? Forest Stewardship Council and all the other certifications are great for huge printing companies that have the resources to investigate and ensure compliance, but the mom and pops? Not so much.
Many of your buyers, though, want to utilize more responsible practices when it comes to producing their printed materials. Even small companies. So what should you do?
Develop your own green policies, procedures and philosophies, and be prepared to tell that story to existing or prospective customers. Do they ask for soy based ink but you have not been willing to procure it for them? Do YOUR OWN research, find a place to buy it, and build a pricing structure and subsequent value proposition around it. They expect to pay more for it – but give ‘em what they want.
Do you have a selection of recycled papers for them to choose from? If not, MAKE time in your day and find them, and at least be ready to order them if they are requested. I’m not suggesting you make a capital outlay and double the house stocks on your pressroom floor, but have it available. Make it easy for buyers to do business with you. Be able to say, “YES I can get that for you, instead of NO – I do not offer that.” Customers like to hear the word yes, and soon, you’ll be hearing it too, when they say yes to your bids.
Aside from materials like ink and paper, what other “green” practices to you use? Have a list of recycling programs, causes you support, hybrid vehicles your business uses, and any other environmental stories you can tell. You may even want to compose them all in a document that you can include in invoices, post of your website, or mail to your customers and prospects. If you are doing something different than your competitors, don’t be shy – TELL YOUR STORY!
Green – It’s the other white meat!
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