When's the last time you've checked in with yourself about the environmental impact of your small business's production partners? It's 2020, and this is not something we should be ignoring.
If there is one thing, besides my own self-doubts and fears, that keeps me from making new products or taking certain steps forward to grow my business, it's my own hyper-awareness of the environmental impact of my choices when it comes to production.
It's been a little over a year since I've been working on Freckled Fuchsia full-time, and as we dive into the new year, and new decade, I can't help but think about and reflect upon my own environmental and social responsibilties as a creative business owner.
Whether you already own your own business, or you're thinking about starting one in the future, it is absolutely crucial to consider the impact that your business is making/will make from an environmental and social lens, especially if you're producing physical products. This is not to say that what I'm doing is perfect, but I am proud of the conscious practices that I've already implemented within my first year. However, I realize that there are other habits and practices to improve upon, and I'm actively looking into alternative ways that I can build a more sustainable business and product line for the years to come.
When you're first starting out, it can be difficult to find production partners that are genuine, and that will share the same environmental and ethical values as you do. Also, the internet is crowded with greenwashing, and I've taken the time to weed through the bullsh*t.
If there is one thing, besides my own self-doubts and fears, that keeps me from making new products or taking certain steps forward to grow my business, it's my own hyper-awareness of the environmental impact of my choices when it comes to production.
It's been a little over a year since I've been working on Freckled Fuchsia full-time, and as we dive into the new year, and new decade, I can't help but think about and reflect upon my own environmental and social responsibilties as a creative business owner.
Whether you already own your own business, or you're thinking about starting one in the future, it is absolutely crucial to consider the impact that your business is making/will make from an environmental and social lens, especially if you're producing physical products. This is not to say that what I'm doing is perfect, but I am proud of the conscious practices that I've already implemented within my first year. However, I realize that there are other habits and practices to improve upon, and I'm actively looking into alternative ways that I can build a more sustainable business and product line for the years to come.
When you're first starting out, it can be difficult to find production partners that are genuine, and that will share the same environmental and ethical values as you do. Also, the internet is crowded with greenwashing, and I've taken the time to weed through the bullsh*t.
Instead of Keeping my Resources Private, I Want to Share Them with You.
Below, I've created a transparent resource of my own production partners that value ethical work environments, earth-friendly and recyclable materials, high quality products, and socially conscious missions. This resource includes the partners that I use for business cards, stickers, art prints, screen printing, belly bands, and mailers.
1. Business Cards
Source - Moo
https://www.moo.com/us/business-cards/cotton
Since day one, I've been using Moo to print my traditional business cards, and square cards. Not only are Moo's products beautiful and of high quality, but their ordering platform is very intuitive and their workplace treats their employees fairly. For my cards, I use the cotton option because it is tree-free, and they're made up of 100% recycled t-shirt cut offs that would have normally been thrown away. As a bonus, these cards are printed in the USA in Providence, Rhode Island!
Since day one, I've been using Moo to print my traditional business cards, and square cards. Not only are Moo's products beautiful and of high quality, but their ordering platform is very intuitive and their workplace treats their employees fairly. For my cards, I use the cotton option because it is tree-free, and they're made up of 100% recycled t-shirt cut offs that would have normally been thrown away. As a bonus, these cards are printed in the USA in Providence, Rhode Island!
2. Art Prints
Source - Towerpress
https://tower-press.com/collections/custom-art-prints
I've also been working with Towerpress since day one to have my art prints printed on their 100% recycled, felt-textured cardstock paper. Towerpress is a US-based, womxn-owned and operated business based in Atlanta, GA.
I've also been working with Towerpress since day one to have my art prints printed on their 100% recycled, felt-textured cardstock paper. Towerpress is a US-based, womxn-owned and operated business based in Atlanta, GA.
3. Paper, Cardstock and Envelopes
Source - French Paper Co.
https://www.frenchpaper.com/
I work with French Paper Co. to source the cardstock I'm using to create belly bands for my tea towels (belly bands are a type of packaging I use to wrap my tea towels with).
I work with French Paper Co. to source the cardstock I'm using to create belly bands for my tea towels (belly bands are a type of packaging I use to wrap my tea towels with).
Their product is incredible because their paper mill is powered by full renewable hydroelectric generators (since 1922!) which has saved one million barrels of fossil fuel to date. French Paper Co. is based in the USA in Niles, Michigan.
*Please note that French Paper does not print and cut my belly bands. I just order the paper, and I still do all the printing and cutting myself.
For more information on their environmental practices, check out this link on their website - https://www.frenchpaper.com/environmental-practices
*Please note that French Paper does not print and cut my belly bands. I just order the paper, and I still do all the printing and cutting myself.
For more information on their environmental practices, check out this link on their website - https://www.frenchpaper.com/environmental-practices
4. Die Cut Kraft Stickers
Source - Towerpress
https://tower-press.com/collections/labels-stickers/products/recycled-kraft-stickers
Not only do we work with Tower Press to print our art prints, but we also have our die-cut stickers printed with them as well. Our custom, die-cut "Freckled Fuchsia" stickers are printed on 6mm recycled, brown kraft stock, which is their most eco-friendly option on their site. These can print in full color, and even white ink!
Not only do we work with Tower Press to print our art prints, but we also have our die-cut stickers printed with them as well. Our custom, die-cut "Freckled Fuchsia" stickers are printed on 6mm recycled, brown kraft stock, which is their most eco-friendly option on their site. These can print in full color, and even white ink!
5. Mailer Boxes
Source - Packlane
https://packlane.com/products/mailer-box
We've been working with Packlane to create our custom, kraft mailer boxes, sized specifically for our tea towels, which enables us to ship plastic-free!
We've been working with Packlane to create our custom, kraft mailer boxes, sized specifically for our tea towels, which enables us to ship plastic-free!
Packlane provides an intuitive interface for uploading and customizing your own mailer, shipping or folding carton box. The Packlane team is based in San Francisco, California, and all Packlane boxes are printed and produced in the USA. Their corrugated cardboard material contains a majority of recycled material and all of their boxes are recyclable, so we feel really good about that!
As a bonus, their mailers are self-locking, which means very little tape is required to seal them shut, and that greatly reduces the need for packing tape at all. To seal our boxes, we just use one compostable sticker - and that's it.
6. Custom Stickers, Tissue Paper and Packing Tape
Source - Noissue
https://www.noissue.co/
Last Summer we won a pack of 500 custom stickers from an Instagram giveaway we had entered through Noissue! Social media can be really great for that.
Last Summer we won a pack of 500 custom stickers from an Instagram giveaway we had entered through Noissue! Social media can be really great for that.
We ended up using those free stickers to create custom labels to seal our kraft mailer boxes (mentioned above). Not only does Noissue offer custom, eco-friendly stickers, but they also offer custom tissue paper and packaging tape, as well as compostable mailers. I can't say I've used their other products besides the stickers, but I definitely will with the coming year!
To put the cherry on top, all of their inks are soy-based (ink made from soy beans) which is a more environmentally-friendly option opposed to traditional petroleum-based inks. Additionally, soy inks make the paper easier to recycle. Noissue is also FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified, which ensures that products like paper and wood have been sourced in an environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and economically viable manner.
7. Hand-made Fine Art Paper
Source - Sustainable Paper + Kraft
https://www.sustainablepapercraft.com/
I've sourced paper from Sustainable Paper + Kraft for more custom block printing pieces, and I love the soft, organic finish that it embodies.
I've sourced paper from Sustainable Paper + Kraft for more custom block printing pieces, and I love the soft, organic finish that it embodies.
Kelsey, the founder of Sustainable Paper + Kraft, is based in the US and makes her paper using recycled fabrics and raw plant material. She offers a beautiful range of colors, as well as the option to request custom paper sizes.
8. Additional Environmentally Conscious Resources
Source - A Better Source
A Better Source is a Directory of Environmentally Conscious Resources for Plant-loving Designers and Businesses.
This resource is free, and shares green resources for paper, stock packaging, custom packaging, food + beverage packaging, shipping materials, and branded goods, as well as links to sources that speak more deeply about circular design, and other eco-conscious practices.
Please note that although this resource is free, please consider getting involved by recommending new resources, becoming a volunteer, or making a small donation so that A Better Source can remain free, and public.
5 Production Habits that I'm Shifting This Year
My dream is to have Freckled Fuchsia's footprint be as minimal as possible, and there's definitely still some work to do. I hope that the resources I shared above inspire you to think about some changes you'd like to make for yourself, the company you work for, or for your own business in the coming year. Here are a few changes I will be making this year that will support my business's environmental and social values:
1. No More Cellophane Sleeves with Online Print Orders
This is where I held the most guilt in 2019. Even though my art prints are printed on recycled paper, they were still being shipped in clear cellophane sleeves that were just going to be mostly likely thrown out anyway once they were unwrapped.
Cellophane bags act as a sealed, protective barrier for art prints, shielding the print from spills or greasy finger tips, which is why many creatives use them for art, greeting cards and post cards. With that being said, they aren't necessary for shipping, but they're really helpful for in-store display or craft-fair displays. I plan to switch to a certified compostable option that Clear Bags offers here for wholesale orders and craft market purposes https://www.clearbags.com/bags/eco
In 2020, every online print order has been shipped plastic-free. Instead of sealing my art print in a cellophane sleeve, I wrapped it in tissue paper with a cardboard backing instead. I am only using clear sleeves when necessary, for Wholesale orders, and in-person markets.
3. Less Amazon Prime, more Local Art Supply Stores
I value supporting local businesses as much as I can, and I'm making an effort to depend less on the convenience that Amazon Prime offers, especially if I know that I can find the same thing at my local art supply or hardware store. Amazon Fulfillment Centers have been demanding extremely high expectations of their employees that have resulted in dangerous work environments and injuries, and this is not something that I am proud to support. Please first check with your local craft and supply stores, or even check other small online suppliers before always going to Amazon Prime first!
4. Transition to Sustainably-sourced Tissue Paper
Above, I mentioned Noissue's tissue paper, and that all of their products are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified, which ensures that products like paper and wood have been sourced in an environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and economically viable manner. I use tissue paper to wrap all of my orders, but I don't have clear information about how it's been produced, or where it's been sourced and I don't like that. Once I run out of my current stock of tissue paper, I'll be making the switch!
If you're curious about the FSC Certification and what it means, you can read more here - https://us.fsc.org/en-us
If you're curious about the FSC Certification and what it means, you can read more here - https://us.fsc.org/en-us
5. Packing With Kraft Tape Only
Packing tape should be the last thing I have to worry about when it comes to the small details of growing a sustainable business. Eco Enclose offers a flatback kraft tape that is recyclable, made of renewable materials and is made in the USA. Here's the link to the tape https://www.ecoenclose.com/2x-60-yds-carton-sealing-tape-kraft-flatback-single-roll/
If you're looking to create your own colorful and fun, eco-friendly packing tape, Noissue offers that option as well! https://www.noissue.co/
If you're looking to create your own colorful and fun, eco-friendly packing tape, Noissue offers that option as well! https://www.noissue.co/
Please let me know if this beginning list of resources was helpful to you, and feel free to reach out to me about other resources you think would be useful to mention above!
4 comments
I haven’t done a ton of research into inks, but brands such as Permaset Aqua and Cranfield Colours offer more sustainable ink options! Also, typically water-based inks are more eco friendly too.
Love your blog, but what about sustainable inks?
Amazing source of information to make the world a better place to live! Thanks a lot for sharing these precious resources :)
This is fantastic, thanks for sharing! I’m about to embark on my own venture of selling prints and other tangible goods and I’m ashamed to admit that I honestly didn’t even think about this. I really appreciate when creatives/small businesses share resources. In the end it means we are all better off! Love your work and love that you are aiming for sustainability. Thanks again :).