Which Decoration Method for Promotional Products Is Best for the Environment?
29 October 2024
Eco-friendly promotional goods and the decoration methods
When choosing eco-friendly promotional products, the materials we choose are only half the equation. How we brand and decorate these items can also make a significant environmental impact. Today, we’re exploring the most popular decoration methods—screen printing, pad printing, embossing, transfer printing and embroidery—to see which is best for the environment.
1. Screen Printing
How It Works: Screen printing involves pressing ink through a mesh screen onto the product, one colour at a time.
Environmental Impact:
- Pros: Screen printing can be eco-friendly if water-based or plant-based inks are used, which avoid harsh chemicals. Water based screen printing is not common.
- Cons: Traditional screen printing uses plastisol inks containing PVC and phthalates, which can leach into the environment. Additionally, screens need to be cleaned, often with chemical solvents, generating wastewater.
Green Tips: Opt for companies that use eco-friendly inks and solvent-free cleaning methods. Look for certifications or statements about their environmental practices.
2. Pad Printing
How It Works: Pad printing transfers ink from an etched plate onto the product using a silicone pad, making it ideal for printing on curved or uneven surfaces.
Environmental Impact:
- Pros: Pad printing uses less ink than other methods, which can reduce waste.
- Cons: Traditional inks may still contain harmful solvents. Additionally, the etched plates are often single-use, leading to metal waste.
Green Tips: Some companies now offer solvent-free inks or use non-toxic alternatives. Reusable or recyclable plates can also make a difference.
3. Embossing and Debossing
How It Works: Embossing raises the design on the product surface, while debossing indents it, creating a tactile, ink-free design.
Environmental Impact:
- Pros: This method requires no ink, solvents, or other chemicals. Once a die is created, it can often be reused for multiple runs.
- Cons: Dies are often made from metal, which can be energy-intensive to produce, but their longevity can balance this impact.
Green Tips: Choosing embossing or debossing on eco-friendly materials can be one of the greenest options for a lasting, chemical-free design.
4. Embroidery
How It Works: Embroidery involves stitching thread into the fabric to create the design, providing durability and a high-quality appearance.
Environmental Impact:
- Pros: No chemicals or inks are used, and embroidery can last as long as the product itself, reducing waste over time.
- Cons: Synthetic threads, like polyester, are petroleum-based. However, natural thread options are available, although they may be more costly.
Green Tips: Opt for organic or recycled thread and ensure the embroidery process is powered by renewable energy if possible.
5. Transfer Printing
How It Works: Transfer printing uses heat to apply pre-printed designs from a special paper onto the product surface. It’s commonly used on fabrics but can also work on hard surfaces.
Environmental Impact:
- Pros: Transfer printing can achieve vibrant, multi-colour designs in a single application, reducing waste from multiple colour layers and screens.
- Cons: Traditional transfer printing often involves plastic-based films and adhesives that aren’t biodegradable. Heat pressing also consumes energy, and the materials used in transfer papers and films may not be recyclable.
Green Tips: Look for transfer processes that use biodegradable or recycled films, water-based inks, and energy-efficient equipment. Some companies are now offering eco-transfer methods that limit or eliminate plastic in the process.
Adding transfer printing to your selection provides versatility, especially for detailed designs, while still allowing for eco-friendly choices that minimize environmental impact.
So, Which Method is Best for the Environment?
For a low-impact branding option, embossing/debossing and embroidery come out on top due to their minimal use of chemicals and potential longevity. However, every method can be made greener by choosing eco-friendly materials, inks, and energy sources.
Making Environmentally Smart Choices
When selecting a decoration method, consider the product's lifespan, intended use, and materials. Small changes, like choosing water-based inks or sustainable threads, can have a big impact when multiplied across thousands of products.
By making informed decisions about decoration methods, you can elevate your brand and your commitment to the environment simultaneously.
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The top 5 most popular promotional merchandise for the Summer - let's look at what's hot!
How can you tell which items genuinely meet environmental and ethical standards? How do you know your promotional merchandise is eco? One of the best ways is by looking for trusted third-party certifications. These certifications offer transparency, set rigorous criteria, and help ensure that your branded merchandise aligns with your sustainability values. Here's a quick guide to five of the most respected certifications to look out for when choosing eco-conscious products. 1. FSC – Forest Stewardship Council What it means: The FSC certification ensures that wood, paper, and other forest-based materials come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. Why it matters: If you're sourcing promotional items made from wood or paper—like notebooks, packaging, or wooden gifts—FSC certification guarantees that the materials are sustainably harvested. Look for: Products marked with the FSC logo; and check the certificate number on the FSC Certificate Search. Visit FSC official site 2. GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard What it means: GOTS is a globally recognized certification for organic textiles. It ensures that fabrics like cotton are grown without harmful chemicals and processed in socially and environmentally responsible ways. Why it matters: Many promotional products, like tote bags, T-shirts, and towels, are textile-based. GOTS certification means these items are organic, safe, and ethically produced from farm to finish. Look for: A GOTS-certified label and supplier. You can verify through the GOTS Public Database. Visit GOTS official site What it means: Fairtrade certification supports better prices, decent working conditions, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in developing countries. Why it matters: Products like cotton bags, chocolate bars, or coffee mugs with Fairtrade-certified contents ensure ethical treatment of producers and sustainable farming practices. Look for: The blue and green Fairtrade logo on packaging or labels. Visit Fairtrade Foundation (UK) 4. OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 What it means: This certification verifies that textiles are tested for harmful substances and are safe for human use. Why it matters: Even "natural" fabrics can be treated with dyes or chemicals. OEKO-TEX® ensures that every component of the product—from threads to prints—is free from harmful levels of over 100 substances. Look for: The STANDARD 100 label and certification number for verification via the OEKO-TEX® Label Check. Visit OEKO-TEX® official site 5. Cradle to Cradle Certified® What it means: Cradle to Cradle certification assesses products for environmental and social performance across five categories: material health, circularity, clean air & climate protection, water & soil stewardship, and social fairness. Why it matters: This is especially valuable for innovative and multi-material products. It focuses on the entire lifecycle, not just sourcing or disposal. Look for: The Cradle to Cradle Certified® mark and specific level (Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum). Visit Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute Why Certifications Matter for Your Brand Choosing certified eco-friendly promotional products isn’t just about ticking a box—it shows your customers, staff, and stakeholders that you care about ethical sourcing, sustainable production, and long-term environmental impact. These certifications offer peace of mind and add real value to your brand story. At Pavilion Earth, we’re proud to work with suppliers who prioritise sustainability and transparency. Want help finding the right certified products for your campaign? Get in touch with us — we’d love to help.
This article explores the pros, cons, quality, cost, and durability of three major printing techniques: DTG, screen printing, and transfer printing.
