Print with Purpose A Guide to Selling Greener Print 2026 A practical look at how better materials, responsible sourcing, reuse, and smarter print choices can help your customers meet sustainability goals – and help you sell with more confidence.
77% of U.S. consumers say recyclability is extremely or very important when they consider packaging sustainability, and 62% say the same about recycled content. Greener print is no longer a niche conversation. Customers are asking tougher questions about waste, sourcing, recycled content, and what happens after a product is used. The good news: print can support sustainability goals when it is specified thoughtfully and backed by real proof. That is where this guide comes in. What buyers usually mean by “sustainable” Recyclable. Recycled content. Responsibly sourced. Reusable when possible. Less waste. Proof, not vague claims. WHY GREENER PRINT MATTERS NOW Pro tip: “When customers ask for greener options, they are usually not asking for perfection. They are asking for better choices, less waste, and a supplier story they can trust.” 2 – why greener print matters now
CONTENTS 3 certifications & organizations pages 4-5 the five levers of lower-impact print pages 6-7 recycled substrates pages 8-9 certified sourcing and why proof matters pages 10-11 eco-friendlier manufacturing practices pages 12-13 reusable and longer-life print formats pages 14-15 print vs. digital pages 16-17 why your print partner matters pages 18-19 how to avoid greenwashing pages 20-21 quick-start checklist pages 22-23
Why certification matters Customers increasingly want sustainability claims backed by credible third-party standards, certifications, or ratings. These tools help move the conversation from “we think this is a greener option” to “here is the proof behind the claim.” Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) A globally recognized certification system focused on responsible forest management and chain-of-custody verification. Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) A certification system focused on responsible forestry and fiber sourcing, especially across North America. EcoVadis EcoVadis is a globally recognized sustainability rating that evaluates a company’s performance in Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. FSC and SFI symbols are used only with certified products, materials, or approved references where program rules allow. Because not all products or materials qualify, these marks do not apply across every offering – but we can help identify and source certified options when needed. 4 – sustainability organizations & certifications SUSTAINABILITY ORGANIZATIONS & CERTIFICATIONS FSC says 80% of consumers who recognize FSC are more likely to trust a brand that offers FSC-certified products.
Pro tip: “Certified sourcing can be an important proof point where available. For select products and facilities, certified sourcing options may be available to support responsible sourcing goals.” Say: • responsibly sourced • recycled-content options • greener print / more sustainable • verified sourcing Avoid: • guilt-free paper • fully sustainable • eco-safe • totally green 5
Print is not the problem. Wasteful print is. The best sustainability conversations do not start with hype. They start with better decisions. Lower-impact print usually comes from a smarter combination of choices – not one magic substrate. 6 – the five levers of lower-impact print THE FIVE LEVERS OF LOWER-IMPACT PRINT EPA places source reduction and reuse ahead of recycling in its hierarchy for managing materials, reinforcing that the smartest move is often preventing waste in the first place. 1Use less. 2 Choose better materials. 3Print only what is needed. 4 Favor reuse where possible. 5Work with suppliers that can verify sourcing and practices. THE FIVE LEVERS
7 Pro tip: “The greenest choice is not always about the material alone. Sometimes it is printing the right amount, on the right stock, for the right purpose.” Best-fit lens Ask: What matters most here – less waste, recycled content, certified sourcing, reuse, or a product that can do more than one job? Featured: Water-Activated Packaging Tape, Polypropylene Snap Envelopes, Full Color Letterhead.
If a customer has to print, recycled-content paper is one of the simplest ways to reduce virgin fiber demand and support circular material use. It is practical, familiar, and often one of the easiest places to begin. What to emphasize Post-consumer recycled content can be an easy lower-impact upgrade for many everyday print pieces. It is especially strong when paired with right-sized quantities and practical applications. What to reassure Recycled does not automatically mean rough, dull, or lower quality. The right stock depends on the use case, not outdated assumptions. 8 – recycled substrates – the easiest first yes RECYCLED SUBSTRATES – THE EASIEST FIRST YES AF&PA says around 46 million tons of paper were recycled in the U.S. in 2024, with paper recycling at 60% – 64% and cardboard at 69% – 74%. Pro tip: “For a practical move that is easy to understand and easy to support, recycled-content paper is often the cleanest starting point.”
9 Approved ways to describe it “This paper contains recycled materials.” “Printed on recycled paper.” Featured: Paper Board Signs, Engraved Badges, Wall & Desk Signs, Terraboard™ Envelopes.
For some customers, recycled content is enough. For others, the bigger question is where the fiber came from and whether the sourcing can be verified. That is where certification becomes a stronger selling point. When certified sourcing matters most When a customer has procurement requirements, ESG expectations, brand standards, or concerns tied to responsible forestry, certification gives them a more credible answer. FSC certification can be a valuable responsible-sourcing proof point for select products and facilities where available. It is one part of a broader sustainability approach. 10 – certified sourcing builds trust CERTIFIED SOURCING BUILDS TRUST FSC reports that 66% of consumers expect companies to ensure wood and paper products are not contributing to deforestation, and 64% expect sustainability information to be certified by an independent organization. *Not all products or materials across offerings qualify for FSC or SFI, but we can help identify and source certified options when needed.
The cover is made with Repreve® ocean-bound plastic, and the interior pages are made from FSC-certified paper. 11 Eco-consciousness is bigger than certification alone, and not every sustainability goal depends on certified materials. The key is recommending practical print choices that support waste reduction, reuse, recycled content, and longer-lasting value. Featured: Snowy Lane Custom Holiday Cards, Style #331 Ocean Recycle Notebook. Pro tip: “If your customer needs proof of where materials came from, certified sourcing is often the more important story than recycled content alone.”
How it is made matters too A lot of sustainability conversations stop at paper choice. They should not. Customers also care about waste, process efficiency, better manufacturing choices, and how a supplier approaches sourcing and production. Eco-friendlier practices include: —Lower-waste production methods. —Right-sized runs that reduce obsolete inventory. —Recycling production scrap. —Lower-VOC process choices. — Sourcing standards that strengthen the story behind the final product. How supplier practices support the story Navitor’s sustainability approach includes examples such as LED UV-cured inks for certain sign production, recycling plates, foil, and dies after use, using paper waste for energy, offering recycled-content papers, and vetting supply chains for sustainably sourced materials. 12 – eco-friendlier manufacturing practices ECO-FRIENDLIER MANUFACTURING PRACTICES Waste Diversion in Action • Navitor recycles 94% of all waste, equating to more than 1,500 tons per year at our Midwest facility alone. • Company-wide recycling volumes have reached nearly 30,000 tons annually.
13 Pro tip: “A sustainability story is not just about the sheet of paper. It is also about working with a supplier that has stronger process discipline behind the scenes.” Featured: Counter Signs with Easel, Full Color Post-it® Note Pads, Digital Business Cards, Post-it® Note Cube. 3M and Post-it® are trademarks of 3M. The Cost Conversation A greener option may cost more upfront in some cases. But better-fit materials, less waste, longer life, or stronger sourcing proof can reduce replacement, procurement hassles, and rework.
Reuse beats one-and-done Sometimes the greener move is not a more recyclable product. It is a product that gets used again and again – or used in more than one way. When repeat use, multi-purpose design, or longer relevance is realistic, print can support sustainability goals while reducing waste. Where longer-life print can make sense •• Reusable Totes and PolyWeave® Bags. •• Sign systems with replaceable graphics. •• Long-life folders and holders. •• Durable labels and name badge products that reduce replacement frequency. •• Versatile pieces, such as postcards that can work as direct mail, package or bag stuffers, and point-of-purchase counter cards. A smarter way to reduce waste Thoughtful print design can help extend usefulness. A piece is less likely to become obsolete quickly when variable details, short-term offers, or fastchanging information are used carefully and only where they are truly needed. 14 – reusable and longer-life print formats REUSABLE AND LONGER-LIFE PRINT FORMATS A reusable grocery tote used once a week can replace 52 disposable bags a year. The U.S. recorded nearly 135 million households in 2025, with at least one grocery shopper in each. That’s a lot of bags.
Pro tip: “A greener print choice is not always about the substrate alone. Sometimes it is about creating a piece that can be used longer, used more than one way, and not become outdated too quickly.” Why Reuse Sells Reuse is not only about sturdier products. It can also come from designing printed pieces to serve multiple purposes and staying thoughtful about content that may shorten their usable life. "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!" "Reduce your impact - Please Reuse!" "This product is designed for reuse" Printable statements: 15 Featured: Polyweave® Zip Bag, Plastic Menus, 2000 Plus® PI 40 Pre-inked Stamp, Dry Erase Name Badges, Colossal Grocery Tote Bag
Digital is not automatically greener This conversation gets oversimplified fast. Digital has environmental impacts too, including raw material demand, device manufacturing, electricity use, and infrastructure load. The smarter question is not print or digital. It is which mix creates the least waste and the most value for the job. The honest version •• Digital is not impact-free. •• Print is not automatically wasteful. •• The right answer depends on quantity, lifespan, audience, and material choice. 16 – print vs. digital: a more honest conversation PRINT VS. DIGITAL: A MORE HONEST CONVERSATION UNCTAD says digital devices, data centers, and ICT networks account for an estimated 6% – 12% of global electricity use. Pro tip: “You don’t need to choose print over digital on principle. We can help you choose the smartest channel mix for the need.”
17 Instead of saying, “Print is better than digital,” say, “Digital and print both have impacts. The better choice depends on how the message will be used, for how long, and in what quantity.” Featured: Full Color A-Frame Boards, Custom Full Color Paper Table Tents, FreeForm™ Labels and Square Cut Labels.
18 – why your print partner matters WHY YOUR PRINT PARTNER MATTERS Domestic sourcing is on the rise. In Thomas/ Xometry’s 2026 outlook, 45% of companies reported faster delivery expectations – reinforcing the value of U.S.-made options for speed, stability, and supply-chain confidence. Why your print partner matters as much as your product choice A sustainability story is only as strong as the proof behind it. The right supplier gives you better answers when customers ask harder questions about sourcing, recycled content, reusability, and manufacturing practices. A stronger supplier story helps you sell with confidence Because you can point to: ✓ Lower-impact stock options across categories. ✓ Recycled-content options. ✓ Reusable product options. ✓ Product options with documented sourcing commitments. ✓ Manufacturing practices that support a more credible story. Learn more. ✓ U.S.-made options where domestic sourcing matters. Learn more.
19 Pro tip: “Your customers need more than product options. They need answers they can trust. That is why suppliers matter.” Not: “Trust us.” Better: “We help you match the right print products to your sustainability goals, with options that may include recycled content, reuse potential, recyclability, and U.S.-made sourcing – all from a manufacturing partner that takes environmental responsibility seriously.”
20 – how to sell greener print without greenwashing HOW TO SELL GREENER PRINT WITHOUT GREENWASHING Pro tip: “It’s better to help your customers make a precise claim that can be backed up vs. a big claim that cannot be proven.” Clear, specific claims matter. Deloitte reports that 49% of consumers are skeptical about sustainability claims, which is why precise, supportable language can be more effective than broad “eco” statements. What not to say Sustainability claims can help a sale – or create risk. The strongest approach is to make claims you can support clearly and specifically. Avoid broad claims like: •• carbon neutral •• fully sustainable •• eco-safe •• zero waste Prefer specific, supportable claims like: •• made with recycled content •• designed for reuse •• recyclable or repulpable where accepted •• produced with lower-VOC ink technology •• sourced through a supplier with documented responsible sourcing practices
Customer Supplied Art 21 A better way to sound credible • Specific beats sweeping. • Proof beats adjectives. • Qualified language beats absolute language. Featured: Style #MAVXL Mailer, Full Color Business Cards, Xstamper® Pre-inked Stamp, Spot Color Postcards, FasTurn® Labels.
22 – a simple checklist for greener print conversations A SIMPLE CHECKLIST FOR GREENER PRINT CONVERSATIONS 49% of Americans said they purchased an environmentally friendly product in the last month in 2025, up from 43% in 2024. You do not need to be a sustainability expert. You need a short set of questions that helps you recommend better-fit print choices with confidence. Checklist What sustainability goal matters most here – less waste, recycled content, certified sourcing, reuse, or easier recycling? ✓ Is this piece short-term, long-term, or repeat use? ✓ Does the customer need proof for procurement or internal standards? ✓ Can quantity be reduced or better right-sized? ✓ Is recycled content enough, or does certified sourcing matter more? ✓ Would a durable or reusable format be smarter than a disposable one? ✓ Does the supplier story help support the claim? QUICK WINS BY VERTICAL Education and Government often care about procurement clarity and practical waste reduction. Healthcare may value consistency, compliance, and right-sized quantities. Nonprofits often respond to responsible sourcing and visible alignment with values. Retail and Local Businesses may respond to packaging, signage, and practical customer-facing sustainability choices.
SAVE OUR PLANET Thank you for helping us save our planet! Did you know that on average a US hotel uses 25 gallons of water per room, per day, just for laundry? Help us make our global commitment to save our planet. By reusing your towel you help save water and the environment. • Place your towel on the towel rack to use it again. • Place your towel on the floor when you’re ready for a new one. GLOBAL 23 Pro tip: “We can help you match the sustainability angle to what matters most for your customer – procurement, brand reputation, waste reduction, or day-to-day practicality.” Start here, not everywhere If the customer is new to sustainability, don’t try to solve everything at once. Start with the easiest lever. One small first step is more useful than five ideas at once. Featured: Custom Full Color Paper Table Tents, Full Color Flyers, Full Color Table Tent Signs.
Print can support sustainability goals – when it is designed with care, sourced with integrity, and chosen with purpose. ©2026 Navitor® Print With Purpose All Rights Reserved. Please recycle.
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