FSC® Certified Printing and What it Means for Your Print Projects

The paper in your marketing brochure might be linked to deforestation, habitat destruction, and exploitation of local communities—unless it carries the FSC® logo.

Forest Stewardship Council® certification provides the gold standard for responsible forest management, offering businesses a tangible way to demonstrate environmental commitment through their print products.

 

What is FSC Certification?

 

FSC certification stands as the most recognized standard for responsible forest management worldwide. The Forest Stewardship Council, a not-for-profit organization established in 1993, created this certification system to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests.

“The FSC logo is a mark of trust. It ensures that wood, paper, and other forest products you’re using in your business are sourced responsibly from well-managed forests or recycled materials,” explains Mike Ribaudo of Kase Printing, an FSC certified printing company.

The certification covers the entire supply chain from forest to consumer, tracking materials through a documented chain of custody. This comprehensive approach guarantees that certified products come from responsibly managed forests that protect:

• Biodiversity and wildlife habitats
• Natural resources and ecosystems
• Rights of indigenous peoples
• Welfare of forest workers and local communities

Unlike other forestry certifications like SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative), FSC certification focuses more intensely on environmental and social standards.

“FSC certification focuses on the intent,” notes Ribaudo, explaining why Kase Printing chose to be a certified by the Forest Stewardship Council over alternatives.

For businesses seeking sustainable printing solutions, understanding this certification provides clarity about the environmental impact of their print products.

 

The FSC Certification Process

 

For printing companies to offer FSC-certified printing services, they must undergo rigorous assessment and regular audits to ensure adherence to environmental standards. This process ensures the integrity of certified products throughout the production process.

“It’s an exhaustive, no-stone-unturned audit,” Ribaudo describes. “They conduct a thorough on-site inspection at our facility that lasts an entire day. They meticulously examine all our paperwork and scrutinize every piece of documentation they request.”

The certification process examines several critical elements:

• Paper sourcing documentation
• Tracking systems for certified materials
• Production records for FSC jobs
• Proper use of the FSC logo
• Staff training and compliance

This thorough examination creates a full chain of custody certification  that tracks materials from forest to finished product. “Everything has to conform, otherwise you’re in trouble and you can get your certificate revoked if you don’t correct what’s found to be in non-compliance,” Ribaudo explains.

For certified printing companies, maintaining this certification requires ongoing commitment. Each FSC certified printing project must be documented from start to finish, creating a paper trail that auditors can verify.

“We address FSC certification at the very beginning of the project discussion to ensure our clients are aware of our commitment to eco-friendly printing solutions. ” Either we proactively ask clients if they want FSC certification for their printing needs, or sometimes the client specifically requests it themselves. Either way, this decision must be established at the outset,” says Ribaudo, explaining how the certification process begins with the initial client consultation.

 

 

The Business Value of FSC Certification & Sustainable Print

 

For businesses and consumers alike, choosing FSC-certified products demonstrates a commitment to sustainable printing practices. The FSC label communicates that a company values responsible forest management and has taken concrete steps to reduce its environmental impact.

Some clients specifically seek out FSC-certified printing services because of this value alignment. Ribaudo shares an example:

“One of our clients who is an author said, ‘I chose Kase Printing because of their sustainability, because their values are in line with my values, and that’s what I want my books to present as a value.'”

Another hybrid publishing client of Kase Printing promotes themselves based on requiring FSC certification for all their authors’ published books.

“So, in this case, every client author is a self-published author, and they all want an environmentally sustainable company printing their books using FSC-certified paper,” notes Ribaudo.

The business benefits of using FSC certified materials include:

• Demonstrating corporate environmental responsibility
• Meeting sustainability goals and reporting requirements
• Appealing to environmentally conscious consumers
• Differentiating products in competitive markets
• Supporting responsible management of the world’s forests

While FSC certification involves additional costs, many commercial printing companies find the investment in sustainable practices worthwhile. “We include a modest administrative fee of $75 to manage the comprehensive certification process from beginning to end,” Ribaudo explains. “This covers the additional documentation and oversight required for maintaining compliance.”

For businesses with strong environmental commitments, this modest investment provides significant value through enhanced brand reputation and alignment with sustainable printing commitments.

 

How FSC® Certification Works in Practice (and Chain of Custody Certification)

 

The practical implementation of FSC certification affects every stage of the printing process, from initial order to delivery of finished print products.

When a client requests FSC certification, the printer must follow specific protocols to maintain chain of custody certification. At Kase Printing, this process is clearly marked on production documents: “Our job tickets literally show at the top that this is an FSC job. And then from there, that sets the stage for every person in every department doing their part.”

The certification tracks several key elements:

• Paper sourcing from certified forests or recycled content
• Documentation of materials throughout production
• Proper application of the FSC logo on finished products
• Retention of printed samples of all certified materials

The FSC logo itself must follow strict guidelines regarding placement, size, and presentation.

“We have strict guidelines on where it can be placed, what size it is, whether it can be printed knocked out or printed not knocked out on a printed piece,” Ribaudo explains.

“If you fail to adhere to these guidelines, there are serious compliance consequences that could cause you to lose your status as an FSC® certified printing company.”

Businesses commissioning print projects strengthen their sustainable printing commitments by thoroughly understanding and implementing the FSC certification process.

Working with a certified printer familiar with these requirements simplifies the process of producing FSC certified materials.

 

Making the Decision: Is FSC Right for Your Project?

 

Despite the environmental benefits, FSC certification isn’t universally adopted. “Sadly, 20%” of jobs request FSC certification, according to Ribaudo. This relatively low percentage stems primarily from cost considerations, particularly regarding the use of recycled paper and sustainably sourced materials.

When deciding whether FSC certification makes sense for your printing projects, consider these factors:

• Project purpose and audience expectations
• Budget constraints and pricing sensitivity
• Marketing value of environmental certification
• Alignment with company sustainability goals
• Duration of use for the printed materials

Strategic budget allocation can neutralize the added expense of FSC-certified papers. Ribaudo recommends examining your entire production workflow for cost-saving opportunities: “Companies can reallocate funds from other areas of their print budget to accommodate FSC certification. For instance, utilizing soft or digital proofing instead of physical proofs can offset the premium for certified papers, allowing you to maintain your overall budget while achieving your sustainability goals.”

The decision ultimately depends on how important environmental certification is to your brand and audience. For companies with strong sustainability commitments, FSC certification provides third-party validation of responsible paper sourcing.

 

FSC Certified Printing and Printing Practices

 

FSC certification offers businesses a credible way to demonstrate environmental responsibility through their print products. By choosing FSC certified printing services, companies ensure their paper comes from responsibly managed forests, supporting biodiversity, protecting natural resources, and respecting the rights of forest communities.

While certification does add some cost to printing projects, many businesses find the investment worthwhile for its marketing value and alignment with sustainability goals. The FSC logo communicates to customers that a company takes its environmental impact seriously.

For businesses considering sustainable printing options, discussing FSC certification with a certified printing company like Kase Printing can clarify the process and associated costs. Understanding what the certification means—and the rigorous standards behind it—helps make informed decisions about incorporating it into your printing practices.

As consumer expectations for environmental responsibility continue to rise, FSC certification provides a recognized standard that helps businesses meet these expectations through their print products. The Forest Stewardship Council’s chain of custody certification ensures that from forest to finished product, materials are sourced and handled responsibly, creating print materials you can be proud of both for their quality and their environmental credentials.

Want FSC® certified printing that reflects your environmental values? Kase Printing maintains full chain of custody certification and handles all documentation requirements.Request your FSC® certified quote today.