Sustainable Signage: 7 Substrates for Planet-Friendly Printing

With a variety of recycled paper stocks, plus innovative hemp paper available on tons of products, we’re already an eco-friendly online printer. So why keep taking the next sustainable steps? Because green printing is part of who we are. And we know it’s part of who you are, as small business owners and socially conscious customers.

Now we’ve gone beyond eco-friendly paper stocks to eco-friendly signage substrates, ensuring all your marketing collateral is as green as it can be. (Did you know we already had two sustainable signs? Keep reading to find out which ones they are!)

And these aren’t just any green materials, by the way. Matt Hazel, senior director of Supply Chain Management at Smartpress’ parent company, The Bernard Group, explained why: “Sustainability is more critical than ever. And we’re passionate about sourcing the best materials with the least environmental impact.”

That sourcing includes testing various sustainable materials to ensure their viability. Meaning? These new materials give you the same, if not better, quality than less-sustainable alternatives. When it comes to sustainable products, we don’t settle.

So what are these new materials? What makes these eco-friendly signs such comparable green alternatives? Hazel broke down the process.

“There’s a lot that goes into finding a sustainable material that works for the printing industry,” he said. “When we secure one, we put it through a series of tests.” Testing includes seeing if the white point of the material will be white enough to match customers’ colors, if it will hold ink properly and if it can be cut without chipping that ink.

“If it passes the initial tests, we do some pretty sophisticated color testing and profiling,” Hazel said. “Once we’ve established that the material is indeed sustainable, prints the way it should and hits the colors needed, we share it with our clients.”

Now available on five of our existing indoor sign products, check out our six new substrates’ sustainable specs:

Rigid Paper Board

• Sustainable alternative for PVC Foam Signs
• Rigid surface that’s moisture-resistant
• 100% recyclable and compostable
• 10% FSC certified post-consumer waste

Paper-Based Styrene Alternative

• Sustainable alternative for Styrene Signs
• Smooth, coated substrate that’s static-free for smoother, faster printing
• 100% paper-based and recyclable
• PVC-free and FSC certified
• Resistant to fingerprints (paper-based composition does not capture oils)

Foamless Foamcore

• Sustainable alternative for Foam Board Signs
• Multi-layer paperboard with a smooth surface and embossed paper core
• 100% recyclable and compostable
• FSC certified

Paper-Based Backlit Film

• Sustainable alternative for Backlit Signs
• Bright white coated substrate
• 100% recyclable
• 10% FSC certified post-consumer waste

Post-Consumer Waste Cardstock

• Sustainable option for Cardstock Signs
• Recycled paperboard with clay-coated surface
• 100% recyclable
• 100% post-consumer waste
• When building this type of sustainable option, consistency is always critical because it’s using a different mix of recycled content to try and make an identical product. Hazel said, “We’ve worked to make sure the quality and performance of this substrate is one of the most consistent products available. The frosting on the cake is that it’s all collected and made in Minnesota.” (And since Smartpress is based in Minnesota, we say “Skol!”)

Cardstock Signs

• Coated substrate that’s pliable yet rigid
• 100% recyclable
• FSC certified

Honeycomb Cardboard Signs

• White cardstock with a Kraft honeycomb core
• 100% recyclable and compostable