Laurel Brunners Verdigris Blog: Press Vercors’ Environmentally Friendly Digital Cutting System

A small company located in central southeastern France is seeing environmental improvements through the use of a digital cutting system. They’re using it to do specialist cutting on demand for both digital and offset printing workflows.

However the Polar digital cutting machine is not the start of Press Vercors’ environmental journey. Since 2004 Press Vercors has been certified for Imprim Vert, the French ecolabel and environmental impact mitigation has long been central to the company’s business philosophy. This organisation is a shining example of how to run an environmentally friendly printing company.

All materials and equipment Press Vercors uses are eco-friendly and the company does everything possible to manage waste, from handling empty ink containers and cleaning cloths through to paper waste of course. Wherever possible waste is sent to specialist processors for recycling. The company uses PEFC papers and regular audits ensure that Press Vercors continues to handle its processes and waste in an environmentally friendly way.

The company uses vegetable inks delivered in packaging that a specialist processor can recycle. Water based coatings are used for easier deinking and waste coating solutions are recycled. Press Vercors uses processless plates with gumming and water washing and all paper scraps before and after printing are recycled. Any plastics Press Vercors uses are also sent for recycling. Wash water for its offset and flexo presses is drained into special receptacles for later treatment. It’s an exhaustive effort that illustrates how this company has placed sustainability at its heart.

Press Vercors has a complete range of printing and finishing equipment, including digital presses, as well as digital prepress for automated output direct to plate. The new Polar Digicut was added last December so that the company can now offer square- and die-cutting services on a wide range of materials on demand. This includes cutting paper, cardboard and plexiglass, and the new cutting tool can also engrave paper, wood and leather. The on demand dimension makes possible variable finishing on conventional as well as digital print and is is another means of managing waste, since only what is required is produced.

This company has a culture of sustainability driving all processes and is doing everything it possibly can to mitigate environmental impacts. It leaves nothing to chance, with defined processes that ensure that all of its waste is sorted and recycled. The addition of the new Polar digital cutter is part of this effort, extending waste management to cutting processes as well as materials. And it gives Press Vercors customers further options for embellishing their print media products, including digital prints. The business is run along lines that should inspire any print service provider to follow.

Laurel Brunner

This article was produced by the Verdigris project, an industry initiative intended to raise awareness of print’s positive environmental impact. This weekly commentary helps printing companies keep up to date with environmental standards, and how environmentally friendly business management can help improve their bottom lines. Verdigris is supported by the following companies: Agfa Graphics, EFI, Fespa, HP, Kodak, Kornit, Ricoh, Spindrift, Unity Publishing and Xeikon.