Facts and Fiction

Better Decisions

Let's Talk

Resources and FAQ's

Let's Talk

Confused about which recycled paper is really recycled? Which inks are truely "green"? Which packaging materials help reduce waste? How to market your environmentally-sensitive product?

Partners in Design is dedicated to the synthesis of design and printing practices and ecological objectives. Our mission is to educate our business clients and print designers about the impact of their processes and products on the environment and on their own health, and to report alternative processes, technologies and materials that will allow informed decision-making.


answers to recent visitor questions

hello out there! can anyone answer this?

announcing . . .

Let's Talk is here to serve as a clearinghouse for your questions, comments and concerns about the perplexing, often conflicting facts and fiction about the impact of print communications on the environment.

We'll review issues and comments and publish answers at this page on a regular basis, so check back often. More importantly, email us with your questions and staff at Partners in Design will research and source out information on issues we aren't readily able to answer.

And we'll make connections. If we know someone who can help, we'll let you know. If we can make a recommendation on a material source or vendor, we will. And of course, help us expand what we know, tell us when you think we're off-base and send us info that you may want to announce or review.




 
hello out there!
Can anyone answer this?

SandyK from Memphis is looking for a printer in her area who can run a 4-color job on a waterless press. If anyone has a lead, let us know.
Email an answer

 
Announcing...

Fox River Paper Company, a mainstream paper manufacturer, has entered the alternative fiber paper market with their new paper Tree Free. Tree Free is produced from a tropical grass which Fox River states in their promotional material is "responsibly grown and harvested by contract farmers." The fiber used for the paper matures in 4 years, a short period of time compared to traditional wood pulp fiber, and is produced elemental chlorine free.
 
Fox River offers Tree Free in writing, text and cover weights in a bright white and natural white. The 24# writing is laser compatible. For samples and a swatchbook, contact Fox River at 1-800-558-8327 (Option #3 for samples)

Green Field Paper Company announces a tree-free, premium quality writing paper made from organically grown, naturally colored cotton fiber, called ColorGrown paper. Available colors are Sage Green, True White and Coyote Brown and are stocked in weights of 24 lb. bond, 60lb text and 70 lb cover.

All paper colors are the actual colors from the harvested cotton plant, no bleaches or dyes are used in any process. The cotton is grown without the use aof any toxic chemicals, preventing groundwater or wildlife contamination and is combined with scrap from clothing manufacturers. A flip-chart of Color Grown papers is available by calling (619) 338-9432 or fax (619) 338-0308.

Here on the West Coast, Spicers Paper Company has begun carrying a new line of Italian paper produced by Cartiere Fedrigoni called Freelife. The papers in the Freelife range are produced using ECF or TCF (Elemental or Totally Chlorine Free Pulp) with a high content of selected recycled "white" waste and recovered fiber. The paper has been endorsed by NAPIM in Britian and was just awarded the Norwegian Foundation for Environmental Labelling's only award in papermaking, the "Swan", after extensive and stringent testing of the papermaking process and its inpact on the environment. This foundation's testing takes into account the purity of waste water (levels of AOX and COD), and the content of sulfur and nitrogen compounds in released fumes. Products awarded the Swan are favored in Scandinavian and European markets. Freelife is available in White and Cream, 80# text, and 80# and 120# cover. For samples and a swatchbook, contact Spicers Paper at (206) 251-6500 (Seattle); 415) 588-3666 (San Francisco); (310) 698-1199 (Los Angeles) or (602) 484-7337 (Phoenix).

The Environmental Defense Fund recently issued their Paper Task Force report "Recommendations for Purchasing and Using Environmentally Preferable Paper" after a three-year study and review of the pulp and paper industry. The Eco (Ecological Critique & objectives in Design) insert in the May/June 1996 issue of Communication Arts magazine contains a fine overview of the report written by Dan Imhoff. In addition, a 16-page synopsis of the is available on the web at http://www.edf.org