Turning the Page on Book Printing
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
The book printing industry has a very interesting sustainability story, defined by the consumers’ love of tradition, and a new age of technology and reader preferences. With the advent of digital formats, it’s surprising that printing volumes have remained stable and even risen. However, the average time spent reading and the number of books read per year has fallen, showing that readership is more concentrated among an avid group. This smaller group is made of individuals who each have a more powerful voice in how they buy books and the environmental impacts of those choices.
Approximately 32 million trees in the US are felled each year to meet demand for paper for books. Due to production processes, the book printing industry is the 3rd-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the pulp and paper industry, and releases VOCs and other pollutants into the atmosphere as well. However, there are sustainability innovations happening in the book printing industry.
Digital inkjet presses have revolutionized production by eliminating traditional platemaking, and an additional layered integration with print-on-demand (POD) technology enables automated fulfillment, allowing books to be produced in exact quantities as the orders are received. This addresses inefficiencies by producing only what is needed, eliminating the need for large stockpiles, cutting storage costs and minimizing unsold copies that would otherwise require disposal. This is especially impactful to small printers and self-publishers whose financial models are shifting from high fixed costs to demand-driven expenses. This new standard supports sustainability by printing books based on sales data rather than forecasts.
A leader in the space is the largest book printing, binding and distribution company in North America, Lakeside Book Company, which has integrated inkjet, POD, and automatic inventory replenishment especially for short and medium-run books.
Achieving zero impact though, remains aspirational due to inherent material and energy requirements, but emerging innovations pursue this outcome through circular economy principles, efficient processes, and sustainable sourcing.
Advanced 3D printing enables custom volumes or components, such as textured covers or embedded elements, without overproduction.
AI integrates into prepress, production, and optimization stages that eliminate human error and manual inefficiencies. Algorithms support this process by predicting maintenance, automating production sequences, and fixing errors in real-time.
Biotech advancements like CRISPR-Cas9, could facilitate the creation of sustainable substrates and inks from renewable sources. Bio-inks and paper from algae, bacteria, or nitrogen-fixing plants reduce deforestation and chemical use, reduce toxicity, and sequester carbon.
Nanomaterials like advanced coatings could improve ink adhesion and resistance, extend book lifespans and reduce reprint demand. Controlled-release mechanisms minimize VOCs in inks, while nano-purification aids in recycling processes.
Although achieving zero environmental impact remains a challenge, the book printing industry is progressing through digital technologies, AI, and biotech. These innovations are substantially reducing waste, emissions, and resource use while preserving the future of printed books.
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