Fine art paper

GP: How Green is your business – what green business practices do you embrace?

FPI: Let me start by saying that I was drawn to the name of your organization, Green-er Photography, because it implies that being green is a continual process involving a series of steps – some small, some large - all guided by an ever growing awareness of how each of us effects our environment in our business and personal practices.

That said, here are just a few of the actions that we take to be a green-er photography business:

Our entire facility is powered by 100% Green Power through the Fort Collins, CO Green Power Program.We are one of a small number of businesses in Colorado participating at the 100% level with EPA’s GreenPower Partnership.

We recycle or reuse every scrap of paper, from office paper to shipping supplies to our paper substrates. For example, we make “Art Packs” from leftover pieces of our art papers and give them to our customers and students for sketching. We also make packs of notepaper from our office paper refuse so that it is reused at least once before being recycled. We reuse cardboard, boxes, tubes and packing materials as many times as possible before recycling.

Our commitment to conservation began with Images for the Environment in the 1980’s and continues today with our sister site, Art for Conservation which houses the premier online art gallery dedicated to marketing the work of conservation photographers and artists.

Through Art for Conservation we promote grassroots conservation initiatives by providing tens of thousands of dollars of printing services to artists, photographers and organizations world -wide who are working to protect and preserve the natural world. We are currently taking applications for a new $2500 AFC grant for printing services which will be awarded July 31, 2010.

Go to www.artforconservation.org for details.

As a founding member and partner of the North American Nature Photography Association, we initiated the Philip Hyde Conservation grant which annually gives $5000 to a photographer who is using his or her photography to help preserve the planet.

Our President, Mark Lukes, was recently selected to serve as Chairman of the Board of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP) - a reflection of our commitment to support the efforts of these dedicated photographers to call attention to key environmental issues around the world.

Fine Print is proud to have received the Environmental Business Award from the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce in 2009.

GP: How green are your products – what green products/components do you offer?

FPI: Our fine art papers are made from either cotton or bamboo – both are recyclable. The bamboo papers, made from the easily replenished bamboo plant, are planted and harvested by farmers in Thailand who are contracted by Hahnemuhle, our paper supplier. Our cotton papers are made from cotton waste created by the textile industry. Neither our bamboo or cotton papers are processed using chlorine.

The aqueous spray we use on our canvas prints contains no volatile organic compounds (VOC), which can be harmful and toxic.

We are continually in search of newer, green-er products for superior quality ink jet printing and welcome input from any of you who have discovered inks, papers and finishes that are both environmentally friendly and of the highest quality.

GP: Why did you choose to offer green products and implement green business practices?

FPI: Because of our children and grandchildren. They deserve a world at least as healthy as the one that was handed to us. We have worked with wildlife and nature photographers for over 30 years, so we understand intimately the value of protecting and preserving our environment. On the flip side, we have also helped a lot of people document the degradation of key habitats and the plight of endangered species.

GP: How has offering green products and implementing green printing practices affected your company?

FPI: It has made us better consumers at both the business and personal level – we are absolutely committed to “walking the talk” and understand that each and every day presents an opportunity to find creative solutions to the challenges that face us in our efforts to be green-er.

We know that there are certain things we cannot change until the technology and the products supporting the technology meet the standards we require to conduct our business efficiently and profitably. Green-er choices aren’t always the most cost effective choices nor do they always produce the results that our customers expect from us. It’s a continual balancing act and one that requires near constant research and the adaptability to change quickly. Our customers depend on us to lead the way and to educate them in the process.

GP: What are your hopes for a greener photographic industry?

FPI: We would like to see continued advances in ink, paper and printer technologies. More transparency from manufacturers about the greenness of their products, processes and materials sourcing. Price stabilization as sustainability issues are resolved.

GP: What is your favorite eco website or eco-product that we may not have heard of?

FPI: www.treehugger.com , www.mnn.com (Mother Nature Network), www.pristineplanet.com

Thanks so much to Linda Helm of Fine Print Imaging for taking the time to answer our questions!

Special Offer:

***Try Fine Print Express – the pro’s choice for online printing!   http://www.fineprintimaging.com/express/

40% off prints on any of our Fine Art Papers in sizes 8x12, 12x18, 16x24

Just use this code “GREENER” on check out and be sure to order only the papers listed below as the discount does not apply to photo papers.

Offer expires April 30, 2010

Fine Art Paper Giclée Descriptions:
Somerset Velvet Fine Art Paper 100% acid free heavyweight cotton rag fine art paper with a textured radiant white velvety surface. Provides vivid color reproduction and rich black tones. Somerset has long been a favorite fine art paper choice for watercolor artists. Archival museum quality. Light fastness rating of 100 years.

Premier Art Smooth Fine Art Paper A smooth 100% acid free cotton rag, natural white, heavyweight fine art paper. Yields brilliant colors and rich B&W prints. Great for photographic reproductions, B&W images and artwork with a lot of detail. Archival, museum quality. Light fastness rating of 100+ years.

Hahnemühle Bamboo Fine Art Paper  Natural white 100% acid free heavyweight fine art paper made from fibers from highly renewable bamboo. Its warm tone combines beautiful art prints with environmental sensitivity. This is our most eco-friendly paper. Archival, museum quality. Light fastness rating of 100+ years.

Epson Presentation Fine Art Paper With exceptional color clarity and a wide tonal range, this economical paper is suitable for both color images and black and white. It has a slightly shorter life expectancy rating than our more expensive papers. Presentation paper is a bit lighter in feel and is a more economical alternative to our three premium fine art papers. Light fastness rating of 70 years.

If you have an idea for a spotlight feature or interview, let us know!