Green printing is on the rise, but there are still biases against using recycled papers. A study recent study in Britain found that over 1/3rd of business owners preferred not to use recycled paper due to outdated reasoning.  Here are the top 5 myths that were cited:  

Myth 1: Recycled paper just doesn’t look as good.  It is not as professional and it is not as smooth and white as non-recycled paper.
Fact: Over the years, there have been huge improvements in the quality of recycled paper and many people could not tell the difference between virgin and recycled paper without a notation that states the paper is recycled.  There are different grades of paper available depending on your print needs but if you want an ultra-white, smooth paper, then you can get that with recycled products today.

Myth 2: The print quality isn’t as clear on recycled paper.  The ink tends to bleed and the color isn’t as vibrant.
Fact: There is no difference in print quality on recycled vs. non-recycled paper.  The ink coverage and color concentration will be the same depending on the grade of paper used (recycled or not).

Myth 3: Recycled paper costs more than regular paper.  
Fact: The difference in paper costs is narrower than in the past and the most commonly used grades of recycled paper are only slightly higher than virgin paper. Buying in bulk and with adequate lead time can help minimize the small cost difference.

Myth 4: All paper is recycled these days so you do not need to make a special request for it.
Fact: Actually 90% of the paper used today is made from virgin fiber even though recycled paper is more available today than years past.  Because many customers assume that paper is recycled, they do not ask before placing a print order.  Look for a green printer, such as Conquest Graphics, that are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified or be sure to ask that your print job be printed on recycled paper.  

Myth 5: Recycling paper does not help the environment because the recycling process uses so much more energy.   
Fact: Recycling paper saves trees, energy and water and it produces less pollution.  The recycling process uses more benign chemicals and less bleach than needed to produce virgin paper.  Plus, reusing the paper helps by not adding to the landfill problem.  

If you are concerned about the environment, then do your research before selecting a printer for your next project.  Recycling has many benefits and there are more green print companies available than ever.   Conquest Graphics is an FSC certified printer and allof our paper has some recycled materials.  We also use soy-based inks and print in an environmentally friendly printing plant.