~ by Tom Klassen, Friesens Sales Representative – Prairie Provinces
Sustainability is no longer a “nice to have” in publishing, it’s an expectation. Readers care. Authors care. Publishers care. And increasingly, the choices made behind the scenes matter just as much as the words on the page.
One of the most effective ways to reduce a book’s environmental footprint is by pairing sustainable paper choices with inkjet printing. When these two work together, they support greener goals without compromising quality, timelines, or budgets.
Let’s take a closer look at how this combination makes a very meaningful difference.
STARTING WITH THE PAPER
Paper is one of the biggest environmental factors in book production, which means it’s also one of the biggest opportunities to make an impact.
Sustainably sourced papers, like FSC-certified or papers that include post-consumer waste content, help support responsible forest management and reduce demand for virgin fibre. Today’s sustainable papers have come a long way…they’re consistent, reliable, and well-suited for a wide range of books, from novels and memoirs to academic and backlist titles.
Choosing a greener paper doesn’t mean lowering expectations. It simply means being more intentional about where materials come from and how they’re used.
WHY INKJET FITS WELL WITH SUSTAINABLE PAPERS
Inkjet printing and sustainable paper choices go hand in hand, and not by accident.
Inkjet is a digital process, which means it eliminates the need for plates and chemical-intensive steps. That alone reduces material use before a book even reaches the press.
Inkjet also shines when it comes to efficiency. With faster setup and fewer make-ready sheets, less paper is used at the start of every job. Over time, those savings add up in a big way.
And because inkjet works well with a wide range of paper stocks, including recycled and sustainably sourced papers, it makes it easier for publishers to align production with environmental priorities.
RIGHT SIZED PRINT RUNS = LESS WASTE
One of inkjet’s biggest sustainability advantages is flexibility.
Instead of printing large quantities “just in case”, inkjet makes it practical to print exactly what’s needed, when it’s needed. That reduces overproduction, limits storage requirements, and cuts down on unsold books that may never find a reader.
For backlist titles, academic publishing, or books with unpredictable demand, this right-sized approach keeps inventory lean and waste to a minimum without sacrificing availability.
CLEANER INK CHOICES, LOWER IMPACT
Inkjet printing supports sustainability beyond paper savings. It also brings a cleaner approach to ink itself.
The HP PageWide T250 inkjet press at Friesens uses water-based ink, which reduces the need for solvents and harsh chemicals. That means a safer pressroom environment and a production process that’s easier on the planet.
Because inkjet is digitally driven, ink is applied precisely where it’s needed, minimizing excess use and cutting down on waste during setup and throughout the run. Combined with water-based formulations, this more controlled approach supports cleaner, more responsible book production from start to finish.
Sustainable publishing isn’t about perfection; it’s about making smarter choices where they count. By combining responsible paper options with inkjet printing, publishers can:
- Reduce waste at every stage of production
- Avoid overprinting and excess inventory
- Lower material and energy use
- Align books with values readers care about
More importantly, these choices are practical. They support real publishing needs: tight timelines, evolving content, cost constraints, and high expectations for quality.
When environmental goals are built into production decisions from the start, sustainability becomes part of the process, not an afterthought. And that’s how meaningful change really happens.
Tom Klassen is our Prairie Provinces sales representative and a seasoned sales professional with extensive experience in both sales and sales leadership. With the added benefit of already knowing books from his previous time at Friesens, Tom genuinely loves working with his customers and helping bring their projects to life.
