Pacific Printing and Fulfillment

FSC certification

FSC Chain-of-Custody certification is a verification process that assures a finished wood-based product in the marketplace has been handled only by companies that have also been certified to the FSC standards.

In other words, it certifies that your paper – likely the largest material factor and greatest expense of your print project – has been handled in an environmentally friendly manner in each manufacturing step, from raw forest material to the final printed piece.

We have always known that our environment is something to be treasured and preserved. As printers, we have felt a growing responsibility to care for our environment. Our customers have expressed their concern for the environment, looking for a method to show their customers a responsiveness to the need for conservation. To address this concern PPFI has earned the FSC certification.

What is FSC certified printing?

FSC printed projects are run using papers that are independently certified to meet Forest Stewardship Council standards and produced by certified printing companies. The standards FSC sets are to ensure the wood and pulp used in the production process are grown, harvested and manufactured to high environmental standards. All parts of the manufacturing process are audited to ensure adherence to these standards. If all of the standards are met, the projects can be considered FSC certified and contain the FSC tree and checkmark logo.

A printed project containing the FSC logo is a better indicator of environmental stewardship than simply using recycled paper with the recycled logo, and makes a stronger, more positive statement about your company or organization. The criteria for use of the recycled logo are vague, at best, and there is no oversight in the use of the logo.

FSC projects are produced in a tightly controlled system. Each part of the manufacturing process, from the forest through the printing company, is certified by independent certifying agencies. The FSC mark is a guarantee materials used in production come from sustainable forests, recycled sources, or a combination of both.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international organization that has developed principles and criteria to certify forests and forest products. Their goal is to ensure forests are managed in a responsible manner that makes them a truly renewable resource. The standards FSC sets for certification are very stringent. Only companies that are committed to environmental stewardship can attain FSC’s certification. The forest and the manufacturers must go through rigorous independent audits to ensure all of FSC’s criteria are met. In many cases the certification process can take years. Certified companies then need to be re-certified on an annual basis.

How can you produce a FSC certified project?

Producing FSC certified projects is easy. PPFI does most of the work for you.

Ask your PPFI representative to run your next project as an FSC certified job.
We will help you select an FSC certified paper that meets the requirements of the project.
Leave room in the artwork for the FSC logo.
Note: As a condition of our FSC certification, we are prohibited from supplying high-resolution artwork to designers for placement.

After PPFI places the appropriate logo, we will send a PDF of the project along with the paper information to an independent certifying agency. They confirm the certification of the paper and appropriate use of the logo. The certifying process of a printed piece normally takes a day, and occurs during the proofing process of a project. This enables the project to proceed without any delay in production. Are FSC certified projects more expensive than traditionally printed projects? No, PPFI does not charge more for running a FSC project. In general, paper prices for FSC certified materials are not any more expensive than their non-FSC counterparts. However, only certain papers are FSC certified, so there are not as many choices when shopping papers. Please call your PPFI representative to discuss your paper options.

Download FSC Labels (ZIP)

FSC Product Labeling Guide (PDF)