FSC® papers: everything you need to know

Ready to discover more about FSC^® papers and their environmental impact?

When it comes to sourcing the right paper for our customers, we put a lot of thought into it. Not only do we have the best papers to get the most from your print, but we’re also dedicated to reducing our environmental impact.

Our range of FSC certified papers are something we’re proud to offer our customers, but we rarely shout about them. So to celebrate FSC Forest Week, we want explain a bit more about what it stands for and what it means to our business (and yours).

The FSC Forest Week campaign itself is about raising awareness of sustainable forestry and responsible consumption. And as an FSC certified business (FSC^® C030164) of over 10 years, we fully champion this message.

We’re making it our mission to help you better understand the choices you make when printing with us. So let’s dive in and discover a bit more!

What is the FSC?

The Forest Stewardship Council^® (FSC) is an international, non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world’s forests. It has been running for over 25 years and presently there are over 200 million hectares of forest certified to FSC standards.

The FSC allows businesses and consumers to identify, purchase and use products made with materials from well-managed forests and recycled sources. This doesn’t just apply to paper, but also wood, rubber, cork, textiles and more. 

But it’s not just about the environment. The principles of becoming part of any FSC forest operation also requires adhering to a number social and economic standards. This not only helps benefit the lives of local people and workers, but also ensures supply chain integrity and economic viability.

All types of business can apply for certification, helping you as the customer make an informed decision when choosing a supplier. 

What does it mean to be certified?

At Printed.com, we’re proudly certified to FSC standards (FSC^® C030164). This certification holds us accountable to strict standards when it comes to our own environmental policies and procedures. From how we process waste to how we package your orders, everything is taken into account. 

As part of our certification, we have yearly audits to ensure that we are abiding by the standards set by FSC. We’re really proud to have our certification because it means that we can help continue to raise sustainability standards within the print industry.

Moreover, working with a certified business such as Printed.com, you can rest assured that the products you purchase are helping limit your own impact.

What are FSC papers?

FSC paper is a global system showing that papers came from a sustainable source. It gives consumers an easily identifiable logo on paper products so that you know the paper has been made from trees that were responsibly sourced and managed.

When anything is labelled with an FSC certification, it refers to the source of that particular product. There are a number of different logos used with corresponding text and numbers depending on the type of product.  

So is FSC a recycled paper?

FSC certified paper is typically composed of ‘virgin’ tree fibres rather than already recycled fibres, (however some recycled papers can also be FSC certified). Anything with an FSC certification refers to the source of that particular paper as opposed to it’s recyclability. 

What papers are FSC certified at Printed.com?

At Printed.com around 98% of our small format stocks are FSC certified. From our Recycled Uncoated stock to our Pearl Polar Envelopes, we have a range of sustainable alternatives ready and waiting to be used.

What’s more, we’re thrilled to be offering 10% off across all small format products during FSC Forest Week. So if you’ve been looking to make an eco-friendly change, there’s no better time to start than now. 

Shop 10% off small format print