In addition to short-run printing, the print industry has taken other significant strides to make traditional books more environmentally-friendly. Another way the book printing industry has gone green is making a shift from offset printing to digital printing. First, there is less waste. Digital printing requires less set-up materials, eliminating the volume of paper that is used to set up proofs for offset printing. Second, digital printing utilizes toners, which are chemical free and are not considered hazardous or pollutant.   Whenever a reader is enjoying a traditional book, hot off of a ‘digital press’, they can have peace of mind that the book they are reading has been printed with the environment in mind.

Some book printing companies are taking the initiative to counteract the impact of the printing industry by planting thousands of trees every year through partnerships with organizations like Trees for the Future.  Printing on 100% recycled paper is expensive, so printing companies have incorporated a combination approach of using recycled paper for a portion of their projects, and donating to organizations that support tree planting.

The next time you discover an author or genre that is not available in eBook format, rest assured that the book printing company has probably embraced environmental initiatives. It’s nice to see the book printing industry respond to the demand of mindfulness of the environment, as there will always be something classic and nostalgic about the printed word.

For more information on digital printing for books, contact The Country Press.

Greener Ideal