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New Self-Publisher’s FAQ
Environmentally Friendly Publishing is Good Business
A guest article by Hugh Griffin
of Stuart F. Cooper,
Printers and Engravers
Public awareness and concern about environmental issues is steadily growing, and publishers wishing to maximize success are responding. To assist them, the Green Press Initiative was launched to make it easier to locate book printers who actively encourage the use of papers which do not contain any fibers from endangered forest sources. The GPI goes farther, however, by encouraging the use of recycled content papers in books printed by GPI Member companies (qualifying them to carry an environmentally-friendly designation).
One does not have to use a GPI printer to specify the use of recycled content papers however. Virtually every established book printer can obtain and use a wide variety of recycled content papers, and having done so, enable you to include a “Recycled Content” logo on a book.
As the Green Movement gains momentum, there are a number of certifying groups wanting printers to join them by paying dues in return for the rights to use one particular logo or another. Most all these groups are laudable for their intent, but as a publisher it pays to recognize that printers buying these various certifications usually pay for them. Choosing a printer who may not have an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification or be a member of the Green Press Initiative may, therefore, lead to slightly lower costs. It pays to compare quotes from other book printers who are able to supply virtually identical papers.
In the paper and printing industries, there’s a lot of jargon and often confusing information to sort through. Here’s the basic information you need to know:
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First, recycled content papers no longer cost significantly more, and many are not a noticeable “downgrade” in quality (paper color, opacity or the appearance of particulates).
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Second, recycled content papers come with varying amounts of recycled content. There are two categories of recycled content used: pre-consumer waste and post-consumer waste. The higher the post-consumer waste content, the more environmentally friendly the paper is.
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Third, both text and cover recycled content papers are readily available nationwide.
Various paper companies and printers have their own particular names for their line of recycled content papers, and these names are generally more marketing-driven than content driven, so it pays to specify exactly what recycled content you want. The exact same content is often sold by competing paper mills, merchants and printers under different brand names, but the most popular (and therefore best priced) ones are:
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30% recycled content text papers and 10% recycled content cover stocks.
The reason for this variance is that many cover stocks need to be “ultra-white,” something not yet possible with a high recycled content produced by the most environmentally friendly processes. Generally speaking, one might pay anywhere from 5 cents to 10 cents more per book to use recycled content cover and text papers, but with careful shopping, it often costs not one penny more. It pays to ask every printer you contact about their recycled content papers and prices, and be sure to request and review free samples before deciding.
For those more deeply into paper knowledge, one encounters terminology like “chain of custody” and “chlorine free” papers. The chain of custody phrase is driven by the FSC and generally used by its dues paying members who “certify” that non-environmentally friendly papers don’t accidentally get commingled with others which meet or exceed the FSC’s recommended standards. In reality, if one is not using an FSC Certified paper even when using an FSC Certified printer, the issue is moot. And again, any reputable book printer can provide the same papers even if they have chosen not to become FSC Certified for financial or other reasons. The primary goal for the FSC is to protect “endangered forests,” and all major U.S. paper mills rightly support that goal, so it’s safe to presume most major brands of U.S.-manufactured recycled content paper are going to be FSC compliant…whether or not the printer buying and using them at your discretion is FSC certified.
The phrase “chlorine free” refers to how recycled content is chemically treated (cleaned and re-pulped) before use in the paper making process. U.S. paper makers, all under the watchful eye of the EPA, are rigorously monitored for compliance in every area. Suffice it to state, none are foolish enough to try and skirt the rules nor intentionally carry a non-compliant line of papers masquerading as something they’re not. The financial exposure and potential for negative publicity and loss of sales would make such an attempt ridiculous. As for foreign made recycled content papers (particularly in still developing economies), one never knows for certain. It would be a safe understatement to note: U.S. rules don’t apply elsewhere. If going overseas for the lowest possible price, don’t assume cheap labor is the only factor in play.
Therefore, when dealing with printers, ask them to recommend and sample domestically produced recycled content papers and cover stocks, and as long as your printer is U.S.-based, you may reasonably presume whatever papers they suggest…will indeed be responsible choices and enable you to place recycled content wording and/or a logo on your books. While more and more readers and book buyers do care about this issue, when you can conduct your business more responsibly at no (or insignificantly little) additional expense, there’s simply no good reason not to do so.
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