What it Means to Be Certified As a Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP) Printer

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Did you know that Overnight Labels has been focused on sustainability for more than a decade?  In fact, we started winning awards for our sustainable packaging back in 2007.  Over the last few years we saw that there was a growing movement in the packaging industry.  We felt that it was important to be verified by an independent auditor, so we began our certification process with the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP) in 2015.

SGP certification is given to facilities that have met the rigorous standards of their criteria, which include operational improvements and waste reductions.  Certified Sustainable Green Printers must follow sustainability best practices, including and beyond regulatory compliance.

Adhering to SGP’s certification criteria has been a challenge, but very worthwhile.

We have always made the effort to embrace new technology and run our shop efficiently.  We believe that operating an efficient facility is just as important to the sustainability movement as printing on compostable or recycled materials.  Since certifying, our main area of focus has been on decreasing overall ink and paper waste, and keeping a closer eye on any other opportunities for reduction.Overnight Labels reduces ink wast with the Nova Ink Flow System

We have seen a drastic reduction in ink waste by utilizing our Nova Flow ink mixing system.  In fact, when we received our SGP certification, we went from 23,668 pounds of ink waste to just 4,886 lbs!

Providing Customers with an Eco-cation

As a member of the Natural Products Association, and as an exhibitor of numerous Natural Product Expos, we work with many companies where sustainable packaging is a top priority.  Surprisingly, the people who we meet through these organizations don’t realize that being “green” is more than just using recycled paper stock.  Once we educate them about the importance of taking a 360 degree approach, they truly appreciate our efforts and expertise.

eco friendly labelsNot only are we able to provide customers with acceptable eco-friendly substrates, we also offer water-based inks with limited VOCs (volatile organic compounds).  Currently, we are working with a new adhesive from Avery Dennison called CleanFlake, which helps aid the recycling process.  Our beverage customers are especially excited that we have brought this new innovation to their attention.

Start Your Sustainability Journey

Changing the way you’ve been running your facility can seem daunting, so the best thing to do is to begin by making some small steps.  No one expects you to go to 100% sustainable, however it is beneficial to lay out some tangible goals and measure them along the way. Slight changes in the right direction are still positive changes for your business.  Once you see some small success, continue to raise the bar. CleanFlake adhesive ensures that bottles can be recycled.

It’s also important to involve your employees and stakeholders in your sustainable initiatives.  Not only will your customers appreciate your efforts, it will also help motivate all participants to fully commit and proactively contribute to your sustainable journey.

 

 Ready to talk about really going green? Give us a call at 800-472-5753, or email info@overnightlabels.com.  

For a free sample kit, click here

How To Work With a Label Designer: Tips to Make the Process a Success

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You’ve caught lightning in a bottle (or jar, pouch, tube, can, etc.) The next step is to bring in the thunder by creating the packaging and more specifically the label. More often than not, this means that you will be working with graphic design expert to make your vision a reality. If you don’t have a label design background, you may find the process a bit daunting. That’s why we’ve broken it down with these step-by-step tips.

Hire a Designer

• Start with their portfolio. If you find someone with similar sensibilities to yours in terms of their work, style and taste, chances are it’s a good fit.
• Ask if they have packaging experience. Designing a label is very different than designing an ad or logo. Since you may not be adept about this aspect of your product development, it’s best if your designer has an expertise in packaging to help guide you through the process.
• Did you know that Overnight Labels has a resource page with a number of graphic designers that we highly recommend?

Create a brief

A creative brief outlines your vision and ensures that you and the designer are on the same page. It details the objectives, messaging, etc. Start by including the following details:

  • Are there specific colors you want to use or avoid? Have you chosen a font yet? These are important decisions to share with your designer. If you are undecided, a good designer will help guide you to something that fits the DNA of your brand.
  • Is there a style of artwork, finish or effect you are drawn to? Present some examples of other labels you like and what elements are especially pleasing.
  • What copy and/or images must be included? It’s important to let your designer know from the start, as this will impact the design. It’s always best to provide final copy to expedite revisions.
  • Label Type and Shape: This is one of the most important decisions you will make, as it will ultimately define a large part of the design. For example, with flexible packaging or shrink sleeves there is a much larger area to be designed. In fact, shrink sleeves require 360 degrees of design. Also, what are the dimensions and shape of your container? Proper measuring is a must to ensure that your label not only fits onto it smoothly, but also complements its shape.
  • Consider how much of the actual product you want to show. In the past, labels covered a lot of the landscape of the container. However, with the rise in popularity of “clean labels,” a clear-label look where you can see the actual product is on the rise.

Let Go and Trust the Process

  • Once you and your designer are in sync, and after an agreed upon period of time, they’ll present you with a few options.
  •  Don’t forget that you’ve hired a graphic designer for the expertise and experience that you don’t have. When they present a new idea, keep an open mind and listen to why they think that might be helpful for your product.
  • It’s also imperative that you are open and honest with your feedback, but most importantly, very clear. Don’t say something vague like, “something’s just not right.” Instead offer concrete ideas such as, “I don’t think like the font and would like something bolder,” or “make the background lighter because the text is too hard to read.”

Now that you’ve got an amazing design, give Overnight Labels a call! We can take that artwork and make it come alive using the right paper stock, lamination and effects.

For a free sample kit, click here and write “blog” as your referral.