As a premium manufacturer, we know providing a wide range of eco-friendly materials isn’t an option – it’s a necessity. At Smartpress, the online division of The Bernard Group, we’re committed to helping future-focused businesses like yours print responsibly. That’s why we’ve expanded our offerings with six new sustainable materials perfect for creating impactful eco-friendly signs, durable sustainable banners, and environmentally conscious decor. Whether you’re designing marketing for your brick-and-mortar, nonprofit headquarters or office space, we make it easy to healthier print that benefit both the planet and your bottom line.
1. FSC Honeycomb Board
For eco-friendly signage in storefronts, trade shows or for any visual marketing, consider our thick and rigid FSC honeycomb board. This versatile substrate offers a fantastic combination of strength and light weight, making it ideal for various business environments and fixtures.
- Sustainable alternative for PVC Foam Signs
- Also available on eco-friendly Honeycomb Cardboard Signs
- FSC certified
- Made from 100% paper-fiber board
- Dense core is uniquely tilted for superior strength
- Constructed with water-based glues
- 100% recyclable
- Thicknesses: 10mm (most common) and 16mm
- For indoor use only
Hint: We’re strong advocates for both sustainable printing options and carbon neutral printing. Learn more about The Bernard Group’s commitment: Sustainable Printing: The Bernard Group’s Carbon Neutral Program.
2. Non-PVC Polyethylene
WHen it comes to sustainable signs, banners are a crucial part of the picture, whether for retail POP displays or event marketing like sports or festivals. Our non-PVC polyethylene offers a durable and 100% recyclable solution for your sustainable banners, available in various width options to suit diverse applications.
- Sustainable alternative for Hanging Banners and Step and Repeat Banners
- 100% recyclable
- Durable, multi-layer construction
- Heat-sealable and lightweight
- Provides exceptional color reproduction
- Thickness: 13 mil
- For indoor or outdoor use
Hint: Get more details about our sustainable signage options and other large format substrates: Banner Materials & Sign Substrates.
3. Recycled Satin Canvas
Custom signs and eco-friendly decor play a huge role in setting the tone of your space, while also communicating key messages. Our recycled satin canvas allows your artwork, photography, product visuals and branding to get the spotlight with a specialized coating that ensures vibrant prints.
- Available for Canvas Prints
- Base fabric is 100% polyester resin made from discarded plastic bottles (coating not made with recycled materials)
- Slightly textured canvas with sophisticated satin finish
- Strong yet flexible
- Resistant to edge-cracking when stretched
- Waterproof
- Thickness: 11 oz.
- For indoor use only
4. Rigid Paper Board
With Smartpress, your sustainable signs can be whatever you need them to be. Our custom services now include rigid paper board for creating branded and navigational signage. Plus, it’s the ideal materials for those attention-grabbing giant checks, all while choosing a sustainable printing option.
- Sustainable alternative for PVC Foam Signs
- FSC certified
- Made of 100% virgin wood fibers
- Triple-coated surface results in a bright, smooth finish ideal for printing
- Solid white core
- Thicknesses: 2mm, 3mm (most common)
- Recommended for indoor use only
Hint: Learn more about our sourcing process for other healthier printing alternatives: Sustainable Signage: 7 Substrates for Planet-Friendly Printing.
5. Soft Knit
When you need messaging to play a supporting character rather than a lead role, soft knit wins the marketing award for best eco-friendly material for backdrops. Using our online services ensures your branded colors and logos look vibrant in trade show booths, presentations, along red carpets, and even in virtual meetings, all while choosing a sustainable option.
- Available on SEG Wall Graphics, Tension Fabric Displays, Table Throws
- Produced using cleaner energy and 90% less water than competitors
- Produced with zero wastewater and introduced zero microplastics into water
- Printed via dye sublimation for stunningly high-quality print
- Durable and machine-washable
- Thickness: 4.5 oz.
- For indoor use only
Hint: We have recycled paper, too! Discover our sustainable sourcing practices: Sustainable Paper: Why Printing with The Bernard Group is Eco-Friendly.
6. Recycled PETG
Color can have a huge effect on how your marketing message is communicated, and now your sustainable signs can take a tint hint with recycled PETG in black or white. When you design yours with our business printing services, you get retail and business signage that effectively promotes products and provides branding in an environmentally responsible way.
- Sustainable alternative for Styrene Signs
- Made with up to 100% recycled content
- Minimizes virgin pellet consumption
- Provides excellent ink receptivity
- Thicknesses: .020”, .030” (most common), .050”
- For indoor or outdoor use
Hint: Need sustainable options for wall decals, floor graphics or clear PETG signs? We’ve got sustainable options for those, too: Sustainable Swap: 4 New Green Alternatives for Eco-Friendly Printing.
Proactive Printing with The Bernard Group
We’re in the business of doing good business, which means offering a comprehensive range of sustainable printing materials. For us, creating brilliant print and operating in a socially responsible way go hand-in-hand. We can’t wait to find the next and best eco-friendly options to help make your marketing message a sustainable one.