Sustainable printing---Canvas printing
What impact does your product have on the environment? This is a question that is being asked more and more. So, what have we done so far? What changes have been introduced to make printing more sustainable?
If handled properly, canvas prints can be preserved for decades
It's not just production practices that matter-a commitment to responsible development is also important. Another important factor is the range of products the company chooses to produce—because some print formats are more difficult to produce sustainably than others.
For example, canvas prints are now one of the most sustainable printing formats on the market. So, what makes canvas prints unique? How can they help printing companies deal with increasingly pressing environmental requirements?
Picanova Group, one of the global leaders in canvas printing, told Printweek how canvas has become a benchmark for sustainable printing. As one of the global leaders in canvas printing, Picanova Group believes that canvas has become the benchmark for sustainable printing.
The advent of globalization has brought a new round of attention to sustainable development. Therefore, companies with global influence should be subject to the strictest environmental review. After all, changes on a global scale will have a direct impact on the wider industry.
For example, in Picanova Group, we have stores in several countries, and the sustainability policies launched in one region will generally be extended to other regions. For example, Picanova's outlet MyPicture.com.au in Australia uses the same production methods as stores in the UK, France and Germany.
Canvas prints use biodegradable materials
A canvas print is essentially a printed piece of canvas fabric wrapped in an internal stretch frame. Most of the frames used on the market today are made of wood such as pine or spruce. If the wood comes from sustainable forests, this means that most of the materials used for canvas printing are biodegradable in nature.
It must be pointed out that the fabric itself does often contain man-made materials: in order to make the canvas stronger, many printing brands combine natural fibers and synthetic materials (such as polyester). But in fact, the use of synthetic fibers itself is good for the environment, because the more durable the canvas fabric (the more resistant to moisture, heat and abrasion), the longer it will last and the less need for additional lamination.
Canvas prints can be preserved for decades
Over time, all photo prints will undergo a fading process. Therefore, unless buyers can find prints that minimize this process, they will face the prospect of ordering alternative prints multiple times throughout their lives—and thus fueling our unsustainable consumption habits. Canvas prints are really different here: customers who buy from reputable suppliers can expect excellent UV resistance, and with minimal care, prints can last for at least 75 years. This is the outstanding performance of a lifetime.
Canvas prints are safe for the environment and humans
Environmental issues have also changed the inks used in canvas printing. Currently, solvent-based inks are rarely used, and non-toxic and solvent-free alternatives, such as latex inks, are now considered the gold standard in the industry. Latex inks provide the same color vitality and chemical stability as solvent-based inks, but are hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly.
Custom canvas printing: a solution to overproduction
Overproduction will have a significant impact on the environment. Although it is a real challenge for some companies to reduce overproduction without taking the risk of overstocking, the printing industry has a huge advantage in this regard. Companies that provide customized photo products (such as personalized canvas prints) can wait until the purchase is complete before starting production, thereby reducing excess inventory and waste.
What is the next step for canvas printing?
Environmental issues will only become more and more urgent, and companies in almost every industry need to adapt. Printing companies that already produce more sustainable printing formats such as canvas may also adopt environmentally friendly production methods on their other products (for example, producing more customized prints on demand, rather than continuing mass production).
As the global demand for personalized printing products is growing, those suppliers that have invested in sustainability are likely to see their market share grow as they benefit from increased customer loyalty.
