Print for Events: A Sustainable Planner’s Guide

Events are one of the most print-intensive activities a business undertakes — and much of that print ends up in the bin within hours.

Before you print — the audit

Question every item. Do attendees need a printed programme, or is a QR code better? Do you need roller banners, or does the venue have digital displays? The most sustainable print is print that doesn’t exist.

Event tickets

FSC certified 300gsm silk with vegetable inks. Include a QR code for scanning. Sequential numbering is standard. Consider whether a tearable stub is necessary — a scannable single ticket is cleaner.

Programmes

A5 saddle-stitched: 250gsm cover, 130gsm inner, FSC certified throughout. Avoid gloss lamination in favour of aqueous coating or uncoated. Print quantities as close to actual attendance as possible.

Signage

For indoor events, fabric displays are preferable to PVC banners. Invest in a quality reusable stand system — the cost per use drops dramatically over multiple events.

Name badges

Reusable rigid badge holders with printed paper inserts are significantly more sustainable than single-use printed badges. Only the paper insert is replaced.