The Importance of Recycled Papers in Book Publishing

Since I started this blog- I have been writing most of my own articles, and thought maybe it was time to change it up a bit. So I reached out to some of my network on LinkedIN and asked a question that has been a conversation for years in my business. With their permission, I’ve posted some of the responses below.

Was wondering how important the use of recycled paper is for publishers, self publishers, etc? Any one have some thoughts on this?

Kat Meyer
http://www.toccon.com/toc2011

Hey Martin:
Subject that is near and dear to my heart –
check out

There are so many more factors that go into this discussion.
Both Ooligan and the Permanence Matters campaign
(which argues against use of ground wood, and explains a lot
about the paper industry), are great resources for learning
about the issues.

Editor’s Note- http://www.gutenberggirls.com/permanence-matters-campaign/, I would like to point out their mention of Glatfelter Paper. Houchen Bindery Ltd.’s standard end sheet papers are an 80 lb. Glatfelter. Suffice to say that the endsheets of a book are the critical and vital point of construction for a book, and we at HBL have made a conscious decision to use a quality endsheet paper as our standard.

Sandy Varner
http://www.sas.com/

SAS Publishing (small publisher of technical books) is an environmentally
and socially responsible business. When we print for inventory we print
with a partner that uses recycled or forest-friendly stock. But most of
our books are now printed ‘on demand’ thus we have eliminated most waste.
POD lessens the possibility of returns, reduces supply chain waste, greenhouse
emissions, and conserves valuable natural resources. Both our print and POD
partners have various environmental certifications such as: SFI(R) and FSC(R).
Taking care of our environment is very important! I hope all publishers agree.

Nancy Hays
http://www.educause.edu/

We use POD for our books, which has all the benefits Sandy noted. We also use
recycled paper for our programs when possible, although it’s usually more expensive
and required us to use a lighter weight to avoid cost increases. Also, it’s not
recyclable in the same way as unrecycled paper. The environmentally certified
paper can be a good solution for both problems. Being able to include the recycled
icon or the environmentally friendly certification icon(s) is a feel-good, socially
responsible thing to do and then promote about your print products. As long as you
have to print the product, that is, and can’t use POD or online publication.

I also spoke with one of my favorite printers in the midwest- Lori Perkins at Fidlar Doubleday in Davenport, IA. According to Lori- they do have some paper choices with up to 30% PCW as available options, and let their clients make the final choice. Usually price is the biggest factor. Lori also mentioned that acid free papers are the norm for book printing. As Kat mentioned above, permanence is one of the biggest considerations when publishing.

Another friend from Seattle – a Book Packager, Duncan Sinclair of DigPrintBind said that he produces(packages) titles which go into production worldwide, and sometimes are printed in as many as 13 or more languages. “I often have no control over the paper they end out using in some cases. But when I do have a choice, I have been taking a liking to many of the environmentally friendly papers available from Domtar. I should also mention that I am a Social Ambassador for Sappi Fine Papers!”

At Houchen Bindery Ltd., in the edition binding market, we serve printers and publishers from the midwest and beyond. When an individual comes to us for a project that involves us arranging a printing on their behalf, (usually a family history style genealogy type book), I try to recommend a 28 lb Finch Brightwhite, which is acid free, binds under all of our various leaf attachment methods just great and has always been very acceptable to our clients. I know that generations from now that will be a paper standing the test of time. Check out their website- and you will see this is a fine paper choice.

I have been around the printing business for a few years . Houchen Bindery Ltd. also has been in business since 1935 as a certified library binder. From our unique perspective in the industry, we get to see how quickly some mass market trade bindings ( and their respective papers) fall apart. Not only are we talking about projects that may have just been printed a few years ago, but in other cases, we are dealing with books and archives from the mid 1800s, early 1900 and WWII eras. I have noticed as other will tell you, that the papers being made from the around the time of WWII were the worst quality papers in many years. Either before or after WWII, papers were made of a higher quality. For more conversation on this- call me!

Ok, let’s sum it up. We now live in a disposable society. Talk is cheap. If you don’t want to use paper you don’t even have to. Make an e-book first. If you have something worthwhile, and people really want it on their coffee table or book shelf- THEN offer it in print form. If you do that- don’t shoot yourself in the foot trying to save a dime on a
cheap paper! Use a good quality Free sheet which is acid free. Give your customer a book that will last for generations. Houchen Bindery Ltd. will bind it to ensure that as well. That’s what we do- we make books that last several generations.
Isn’t that worth a little more at the checkout counter?

The issue of recycled paper and environmental conciousness is an ever evolving issue. It changes with time as to what is “politically correct” and what is right for you and your customer/membership base. To read more about some of the ways we have looked at this issue at Houchen Bindery Ltd. Click here. I have also added some cool links below supplied from my friend Duncan Sinclair that will further your information on the topic.

As always, there may be more questions, which is why I am always available to discuss your project
needs by email at mpugh@houchenbindery.com or toll free at 1-800-869-0420. I appreciate any and all comments!

Links:
http://www.printgrowstrees.org
http://www.FOPAP.ORG
http://digitalprintandbind.com/articles/rethinking-paper-ink-the-sustainable-publishing-revolution/
http://digitalprintandbind.com/articles/2011/05/page/3/
http://digitalprintandbind.com/articles/going-green-good-business-good-practice/
http://www.paperbecause.com

Copyright 2011 Martin Pugh All Rights Reserved.

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