According to Alliance Insight’s (formerly NAPCO Research) “2023 Who Buys Wide-Format Display Graphics: How, From Whom, & Why,” 49% of sign and display graphics providers offer eco-friendly options. The same report found 62% of print buyers identified sustainable production processes as an important consideration when selecting a wide-format print service provider (PSP).
Clearly, sustainability is popular on both sides of a transaction, but one thing these numbers don’t tell us is the financial impact on PSPs. To learn more, Wide-format Impressions spoke with Gary Jones, vice president of environmental, health and safety affairs at PRINTING United Alliance, and two PSPs with firsthand experience implementing sustainability measures in their wide-format operations.
Here are some key takeaways:
• Experts say sustainability should be viewed as part of overall business operations, including energy use, transportation and equipment management.
• PSPs report efforts that include responsible material sourcing, waste reduction systems and partnerships that keep wide-format scraps out of landfills.
• Material selection remains a challenge because sustainable substrates must still meet application requirements, especially for outdoor use.
• Certifications such as the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership and local sustainability programs help PSPs demonstrate accountability and can influence customer acquisition and retention.
• Buyers often express interest in eco-friendly products but may hesitate due to higher costs, prompting PSPs to balance pricing and offer alternative sustainability benefits through processes.
• PSPs say educating customers about recyclable or postconsumer waste materials is essential, and operational efficiencies can lower energy use and generate measurable savings.
Read the full story on Wide-format Impressions, a publication of PRINTING United Alliance, ASI’s strategic content partner.
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