HP has published the findings of a report into printers in Canada, which found that on-demand digital book printing on its T300 inkjet press could reduce wastage and warehousing by more than 20%, thus reducing carbon.

According to HP, much of a publisher’s carbon footprint comes from the resources used to create and transport paper. It said on-demand printing to specific run sizes would eliminate the printing of around 30% of wasted books that are printed but never used.

PMP’s book printing subsidiary, Griffin Press, is in the process of installing an HP T350 inkjet machine at its Adelaide facility.

National sales manager Warren Griffin said HP’s report gave a good indication on how inkjet printing can reduce carbon right across the publishing production chain.

“For us, helping the publishers reduce wastage and warehousing is a top priority,” he said.

“We have also made a big effort over the past two years to calculate our manufacturing footprint, and the T350 will is definitely part of our long-term strategy in carbon reductions.”

SOS Print & Media Group director Michael Schulz said there was “no doubt” it was cutting carbon thanks to its Kodak Prosper 1000 inkjet press, which is the major competitor of HP’s range of digital web presses.

However, he added that it was difficult to put a figure on carbon footprint reductions.

“Inkjet printers are definitely taking things to another level and we love that,” he said.

“There is no doubt that they are reducing carbon emissions, but there is a lot hanging off how big these reductions are. They are massive machines and they consume a lot of power, and there are still issues surrounding de-inking.”

Schulz added that the Prosper had helped reduce production times from days to hours.

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