Printgraphics Printgreen Profile

Melbourne-based printing company Printgraphics Printgreen places a strong emphasis on ethics and environmental sustainability. Founded in 1979 by Ray Keen and Peter Norton, Printgraphics holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditation. 

Since their first magazine contract, Printgraphics have expanded and now print various formats, including catalogues, product packaging and print over 100 publications. Their most notable prints include The Big Issue, Meanjin and The Canary Press.

The company states that, though they do not measure their carbon emissions, they do measure their environmental impact through a hierarchy of ‘avoid, reuse, recycle.’ This includes:    

• analysing their supply chain   

• recycling paper and metal

• using rainwater tanks for their machinery.

Additionally, by using organic inks, Printgraphics have reduced 30% of their volatile organic chemical (VOC) emissions (hyperlink to the report for more??) , decreasing the chemicals used instore. Their water consumption has also shrunk from 11 litres per computer-to-plate prepress system to 200 ml per plate, saving 200,000 litres annually. 

In cases where they cannot avoid waste, Printgraphics reuse or recycle. Wash up cloths, rags and wooden pallets are all reused. Paper waste (collected daily), plastics, aluminium plates, printer cartridges, empty chemical containers, steel and plastic pallet strapping and empty steel ink tins are all recycled. Reusable food containers and drink bottles are also recycled.

Printgraphics believe that the community needs to collectively use green printers because it is ‘the only way, not the marketing way.’ Printgraphics stand above other ‘green’ printers, who only appear to be environmentally friendly. In short it means Printgraphics Printgreen is one of only a handful of truly ‘green’ printers.  Others pay lip service, but ‘we are committed to our environmental responsibilities and are regularly audited to ensure compliance’.

In an interview with Printgraphics owner Nigel Quirk, he stated that, although Printgraphics sustainability may not be visible on a larger scale, they continue to prioritise it. This prioritisation comes from incremental, internal decisions made while waiting for printing technology to improve. Through gaining certification and prioritising sustainable in-house practices, Printgraphics are able to promote themselves as a ‘truly “green” printer’.