Eco-Conscious Choices | Sustainable Options in Strut Card Production

Eco-Friendly Tips for Sustainable Strut Card Printing

In today’s competitive market, eco-conscious decisions are expected, not just appreciated. Customers are increasingly concerned with sustainability, and printed promotional materials, like strut cards, play a significant role in point-of-sale marketing, especially in retail, hospitality, and exhibitions. However, the environmental impact of these materials and processes is often overlooked. This blog explores how businesses can make environmentally responsible choices when producing strut cards—without sacrificing quality, effectiveness, or budget. By considering sustainable options, you can meet customer expectations while maintaining your marketing impact.

Why Sustainability Matters in Print

Printed marketing materials are powerful tools. However, their environmental impact is significant. Traditional printing often involves virgin paper sourced from unsustainable forests, petroleum-based inks, plastic finishes, and waste-heavy processes. Once used, these items often head straight to landfill, especially if they're laminated or made from mixed materials that are hard to recycle.

With climate concerns growing and more regulations being introduced to tackle waste, businesses need to take responsibility. Choosing sustainable strut card printing solutions is a step in the right direction.

Consumers, too, are increasingly supporting brands that make visible eco efforts visible. If your brand is promoting a natural product or ethical service, your point-of-sale displays should reflect those same values.

Materials That Make a Difference

Recycled Board Stock

The foundation of a strut card is its board. Choosing a recycled board can significantly reduce your environmental impact. These boards are often made from post-consumer waste and offer comparable strength and print quality to traditional virgin boards.

Modern recycled stocks are durable, cost-effective, and work well with most standard print finishes. Plus, they’re easier to recycle after use.

FSC-Certified Paper

When virgin paper is necessary, go for FSC-certified materials. The Forest Stewardship Council ensures that paper products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits.

Using FSC materials shows that you care about the long-term health of global forests and are making responsible sourcing choices.

Plastic-Free and Biodegradable Laminates

Traditional gloss or matt finishes can contain plastic laminates that reduce recyclability. New innovations like biodegradable coatings or water-based finishes offer excellent protection and appearance without harming the environment.

Inks, Adhesives & Finishes

Vegetable-Based Inks

Conventional inks are petroleum-based and can release harmful compounds into the air. In contrast, vegetable-based inks – made from soy, linseed, or other plants – produce fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are easier to de-ink during recycling.

Low-VOC Adhesives

Glue is often forgotten, but it matters. Choose low-VOC, non-toxic adhesives for assembly, especially when your strut cards are used indoors or around food.

Eco-Friendly Finishes

Instead of UV coatings or plastic varnishes, consider aqueous coatings. These are water-based, provide a smooth professional finish, and break down naturally after disposal.

Think Local: Reduce the Carbon Footprint

Where you print matters. Choosing a local print supplier helps cut emissions associated with long-distance transport. The carbon footprint of printed materials can often be reduced significantly by eliminating overseas freight and packaging.

Working with local suppliers also supports your local economy and gives you better control over quality and delivery times.

Design Smarter to Reduce Waste

Design choices can affect how sustainable your strut card printing process is. Here’s how:

• Optimise Sizes: Use standard sizes or those that minimise cutting waste. A well-planned design makes the most of the material sheet, reducing offcuts.
• Modular Designs: A multi-purpose strut card can be reused for different campaigns by simply changing a panel or adding a sticker.
• Digital Proofing: Review and revise your designs digitally to reduce test prints and trial runs.

Smart design not only reduces waste but also saves money.

What Happens After Display?

Strut cards are often short-term marketing items. So, what happens once they’ve served their purpose?

Sustainability doesn’t end at printing. It includes the disposal and recycling process too.

Design for Recyclability

When you create strut cards using only one type of material, like recycled board, they are much easier to recycle. Avoid mixing paper with plastic or metal components, as this makes recycling more difficult.

Add Disposal Instructions

Help end users make the right decision by printing recycling symbols and instructions on the back of your strut card. A small prompt can go a long way in promoting proper disposal.

Examples of Sustainable Printing

Many businesses across retail, healthcare, and hospitality have already adopted eco-friendly printing practices.

For example, an independent skincare brand recently switched to using strut cards made from 100% recycled board and printed with vegetable-based inks. Not only did they reduce their print-related emissions by over 30%, but their customers appreciated the commitment to green practices.

Another case involved a trade show organiser who paired strut card printing with Foamex signs made from recyclable PVC alternatives. The switch saved on disposal costs and improved their corporate sustainability profile.

Choosing the Right Print Partner

To make the right eco-conscious decisions, you’ll need the right print partner. Here’s a quick checklist to help you choose:

• Do they offer recycled and FSC-certified materials?
• Are their inks eco-friendly (e.g., vegetable or water-based)?
• Can they provide proof of sustainability certifications like ISO 14001?
• Do they promote energy-efficient equipment and recycling policies?
• Will they advise you on the most sustainable solutions, including recyclable Foamex alternatives?

By working with a knowledgeable print company, you’ll get the best results for your marketing and the planet.

Conclusion

Sustainable strut card production is a smart choice for businesses aiming to reduce their environmental impact while maintaining strong branding. From selecting eco-friendly materials to optimising print processes and designs, there are numerous ways to create greener marketing displays. By combining responsible sourcing with eco-conscious design, your strut cards can reflect your brand’s commitment to sustainability. If you're ready to make the switch to more sustainable strut card printing or greener Foamex signs, partnering with an expert print provider like Board Printing Company ensures impactful, environmentally responsible materials that make a difference.