Sustainable annual report printing doesn’t require sacrificing quality.
Annual reports communicate an organisation’s performance, priorities and impact. If sustainable annual report printing is part of your organisation’s strategy, the physical report should ideally reflect that commitment.
Before working on your annual report or sustainability report, read our article on the Ethical Design Co. blog about recent annual report trends.
Here are 12 practical decisions that can reduce the environmental impact of your next report.
1. Start with the page count
Reducing the number of pages reduces the amount of material required. At our parent brand, Ethical Design Co., we help our clients reduce page counts often.
Sometimes customers decide to keep their report entirely digital but they print a highly graphical summarised version of the report that includes key metrics and case studies. This is easier for stakeholders to read quickly and gives them some points to discuss. They can then take that to their AGM and other important meetings with them, and include a QR code on the back so that people can access the full version online.
There are several other ways you can make your report shorter. Good information design can help combine related content, simplify repeated information and make complex data easier to understand. Contact us today if you need some ideas.
2. Choose recycled paper
We say it over and over, and this is the hill we’ll die on. Where appropriate, choose paper for your annual report with recycled content, particularly post-consumer recycled fibre.
Recycled stock can also give a report a distinctive tactile quality. Most of our customers at Ethical Print Co. (and Ethical Desgin Co.) work in the non-profit space or work in a profit-for-purpose or otherwise ethical company. They tend to love the uncoated recycled EcoStar stock as it gives their annual report a beautiful premium recycled feel to it, that amplifies their message to the audience and shows them that they practice what they preach.
3. Consider paper weight
Ask whether every page needs to be as heavy as possible. Reducing GSM can reduce material use and make reports lighter to transport. It’s a simple but effective way to have a little less impact.
4. Use the right cover
A thick, laminated cover usually isn’t necessary for an annual report. An uncoated recycled cover can provide a premium appearance while keeping the construction relatively simple. Many of our customers opt to use EcoStar silk recycled stock for their annual report cover (in 250gsm or 200gsm). This gives the cover a slight shine to it, while the internal pages can be kept on uncoated 120-140gsm.
5. Avoid unnecessary lamination
As above, plastic lamination can add durability, but it can also introduce a material that complicates recycling. Use it when there is a genuine functional reason, not simply because it’s standard. Some examples include presentation folders (that will be used over and over and need to be a bit more hardy) and.. well not much else really.
6. Choose binding carefully
The binding method should suit the report’s length and intended use. A simple saddle-stitched report may require fewer materials than a more elaborate construction. Depending on the length of the report, we’d normally saddle stitch it (2 staples at the spine), but longer reports require perfect binding (think, the spine of a book).
This is another good reason to try and keep your report succinct, as perfect binding is a bit more involved in terms of finishing processes and energy use. It looks amazing, of course, but it’s usually not worth it except for catalogue printing.
7. Print an appropriate quantity
Estimate how many copies will actually be used. If your annual report is primarily distributed digitally, you may need fewer physical copies than in previous years.
We’re very happy to help you work out how many you might need to print.
8. Consider distribution
Don’t forget what happens after production. A lightweight report may require less packaging and transport than a heavier equivalent. Are you sending them to people – using mailing bags for each one – or can you host an event where you give them to stakeholders in person?
9. Design efficiently
Good design can reduce waste through efficient page layouts and sheet usage. We’ve got a lot more design-specific information on our Ethical Design Co. blog post: How to Green Your Annual Report.
Proper, thoughtful design can also make the report more useful, increasing the likelihood that stakeholders will keep it rather than discard it.
10. Ask about waste
Your printer should be able to explain how production waste is handled. Ask about paper offcuts, rejected sheets and packaging. You can read more about our specific waste practices on our FAQ page.
11. Ask for evidence
If you’re making sustainability claims about your annual report, keep records of the paper specification, certifications and production information. This is especially useful if your organisation reports publicly on sustainability.
We plant a tree for every print job, and can provide you with a list of your trees and plant locations on request. Keep your data on hand to help ensure your annual report printing is contributing positively to your company’s sustainability outcomes.
12. Make sustainability visible — but don’t overstate it
If your report uses recycled paper or another specific environmental feature, explain it accurately. Avoid vague claims such as ‘zero impact’ or ‘100% green’. Specific information is more credible.
You can download our EcoStar paper certifications logos and use them on anything you print on EcoStar stock.
Download Sustainability LogosCreating a more sustainable annual report: A better report starts before printing
The biggest improvements often happen before the artwork reaches the printer. During the design phase, ask:
- Could this be shorter?
- Does every page add value?
- Could the format be smaller?
- Does the cover need lamination?
- Could we use a lighter stock?
- How many copies do we genuinely need?
These questions can improve both sustainability and efficiency.