Printing on Recycled Paper
Producing paper can have a significant impact on our natural environment, from sourcing the fibre to the processes and chemicals used to make it soft, white and smooth.
Sadly, approximately 70% of all paper produced comes from virgin fibre (such as rainforests). Cutting these old growth forests also accounts for around 30% of global carbon emissions. This needs to change!
At PrintTogether, we only use high quality recycled papers. If it's not recycled we don't touch it! Our house stocks are 100% post-consumer recycled. More details on the stocks we use can be seen below.
Printing on recycled paper
PrintTogether are the market leaders of printing on recycled paper in Australia. We have exclusively printed on recycled papers since 2006. View our recycled paper printing prices online.
Why use recycled paper?
With an ever-increasing amount of papers coming onto the market from sustainably managed forest plantations, one might ask why use recycled? The simple answer is, the more we can re-use materials such as paper the less waste we produce.
Paper made from tree plantations is far better than paper from virgin forests. However, it still has an effect on our natural environment. Plantations of only one species do not provide suitable habitats for wildlife. It has also been known for virgin forests to be cleared to make room for plantations.
There is now such a wide range of recycled papers on the market, that are of such a high quality, that you really have no excuse not to use them.
What is the difference between post-consumer waste, pre-consumer waste, mill-broke and alternative fibres?
Post-consumer waste - is paper and card, from items such as juice containers, that has been used and then recycled and made useable again.
Pre-consumer waste - is from paper that has left the paper mill but never made it into use, such as off-cuts and test sheets from printers. This is then sold back and reused again.
Mill-broke - is paper that never leaves the mill, such as off-cuts and low quality rejected materials. This is re-pulped and put back into the mix.
Alternative fibres - are derived from materials other than wood such as cotton, bamboo, bagasse or sugar cane waste.
Does recycling paper use more resources?
No. Making paper from recycled fibre rather than virgin fibre (from trees), produces less air and water pollution. It also generally requires less water and energy to produce. Recycling paper requires removing ink with a type of soap, which results in a toxic sludge. Using vegetable based inks, helps to solve this problem...............................................................................................................
ABOUT THE RECYCLED PAPERS WE USE:
We use the best paper stocks available with the highest levels of post-consumer waste fibre. We can print on any recycled paper. However, below are our house stocks we have chosen our standard products for their quality & environmental credentials. PrintTogether buy these recycled papers in bulk to help reduce costs. Samples are available upon request.
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EcoStar - white uncoated
100% post-consumer recycled
For real quality on 100% post-consumer recycled you can't go past
EcoStar. It is the smoothest, whitest, high quality carbon neutral
uncoated recycled paper on the market. Some recycled papers are not as
white as virgin pulp papers, but EcoStar is an exception, offering a
great alternative. Available in uncoated and silk.
100gsm: Letterhead, compliment slips & wrapping paper
120gsm: Flyers, posters, brochures & booklet text pages
300gsm: Gift cards & booklet covers
350gsm: Business cards, postcards, swing tags & bookmarks
600gsm: Extra thick business cards, swing tags & special event cards
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EcoStar - white silk coated
100% post-consumer recycled
As above but with a smooth coated silk finish (semi-gloss). Great if you want colours to really pop. Coated papers feel thinner due to the way they are made. A 300gsm uncoated feels more like the thickness a 350gsm silk.
150gsm: Flyers, posters, brochures & booklet text pages
350gsm: Gift cards & booklet covers
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Envirocare - Off-white uncoated
100% recycled (75% post-consumer & 25% pre-consumer waste)
An alternative to EcoStar if you a looking for a softer off-white is Envirocare. Made of a mixture of post and pre consumer recycled pulp. A very nice soft and natural looking paper.
150gsm: Booklet text pages
300gsm: Gift cards & booklet covers
600gsm: Extra thick business cards, swing tags & special event cards
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Kraft - raw brown boxboard
100% post-consumer recycled
For a really natural raw brown kraft look and feel. Great for natural & organic based business materials.
320gsm: Business cards, postcards, swing tags, bookmarks & gift cards
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Conqueror Laid 100% Recycled - Brilliant white
100% post-consumer recycled
A luxurious off-white 100% recycled paper with a unique 'laid' texture. Ideal for special events.
300gsm: Special event cards
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Adhesive labels / stickers
Made from certified sustainably managed plantation fibre
Unfortunately adhesive labels are not made from recycled paper. We use the best available made from certified plantation pulp. Available in pre-cut circles as well as squares and rectangle of any size. Comes with a split back for easy removal from backing sheets. Bio-degradable.
105gsm white uncoated
105gsm white gloss
105gsm brown kraft
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