We often think of sustainability as an added cost, but you’ve most likely implemented some eco-friendly practices in your shop just by being efficient. Here are a few examples that show sustainability as not only better for the environment, but for your profit margin, too.
Strategy No. 1: The Medium is the Message
Sustainability doesn’t begin with the print; it begins with the fabric itself, when the base material is grown and crafted responsibly. At Stanley/Stella, for example, our story starts with GOTS certified‑ organic cotton: fibers grown without toxic chemicals, with careful water management, and under strict social and environmental standards.
But sustainability isn’t only about how a fabric is made. It’s also about how it performs. A well-constructed, stable, high-quality fabric behaves predictably under a screen-printing press, which is its own form of sustainability. When fibers are long, clean, and consistent, they absorb ink more efficiently. Prints sit smoothly, requiring fewer test rounds, fewer adjustments, and less material ending up in the trash.
The result is a more fluid, efficient process — where sustainability isn’t an add‑on, but something woven into the material from the very beginning.
The same logic applies to the inks. Choosing OEKO-TEX ECO PASSPORT-certified dyes and inks ensure the print is free from harmful substances and meets global safety standards.
In short, the materials themselves — the fabric and the inks — already set the foundation for a more sustainable print.
Read this full article on Apparelist, a publication of PRINTING United Alliance, ASI’s strategic partner.
