Sustainable printing attractive to consumers?

Companies looking to improve their green credentials may wish to use the services of sustainable printers, if comments from one individual are anything to go by.

Dan Welch, co-editor of Ethical Consumer magazine, said environmental considerations are becoming increasingly important for customers.

This is evident in the competition for green products between major supermarkets and the increase in purchases of Fairtrade goods during the recession despite their price premium, he explained.

"Consumers are motivated by eco-innovations and ethical credentials as never before," Mr Welch commented.

He advised companies wanting to make themselves more ethically sound to examine the principles of their supply chains, which could include the printing firms they use.

Consumer-facing organisations have "the biggest reputational risks", but also the greatest opportunities, Mr Welch added.

Research carried out by the Co-operative Bank at the end of 2009 revealed expenditure on ethical goods and services has grown almost three-fold during the past ten years.