Sustainability

Wallace Print has been making measurable changes to how we produce, power and operate our business since 2017. This page sets out what we have done, what we currently offer in terms of sustainable materials and practices, and how we can support clients who have environmental requirements on their projects.

We are straightforward about this. Large format print involves materials and processes that have an environmental impact. Our approach is to reduce that impact where we can, be honest about the options available and help clients make informed choices about the materials they specify.

Wallace Print has been making measurable changes to how we produce, power and operate our business since 2017. This page sets out what we have done, what we currently offer in terms of sustainable materials and practices, and how we can support clients who have environmental requirements on their projects.

We are straightforward about this. Large format print involves materials and processes that have an environmental impact. Our approach is to reduce that impact where we can, be honest about the options available and help clients make informed choices about the materials they specify.

2017 — Digital Production and Sustainable Transport

In 2017, we transitioned from a litho printing model to an entirely digital operation. This removed waste-intensive materials including outdated inks and rags and delivered measurable reductions in both power consumption and production waste.

We also began moving our vehicle fleet toward lower-emission options, starting with hybrid BMW models. Our fleet has since expanded to include both hybrid and fully electric vehicles, with only a small number of diesel vehicles remaining.

2018 — PVC-Free Banner Materials and Triaprint

In 2018 we introduced PVC-free banner materials as an alternative to standard PVC banners, reducing plastic waste without affecting print quality or durability. We also adopted Triaprint, a recyclable polypropylene material suitable for point-of-sale displays, outdoor signage and a wide range of large format applications. Triaprint is compatible with digital printing and offers a lightweight, rigid alternative to heavier substrate options.

2019 — Expanded PVC-Free Materials Range

In 2019 we extended our sustainable materials offering to include PVC-free print materials across a wider range of applications. This included textiles made from recycled plastic bottles, PET and PP banners, and PVC-free self-adhesive vinyls and wall graphics. These materials offer recyclable alternatives for both indoor and outdoor use and are suitable for clients who need to meet specific environmental standards on their projects.

2022 — Solar Power, Biffa Partnership and PVC-Free Lamination

2022 saw three specific investments in our sustainability programme. We partnered with Biffa to improve our recycling rates through dry mixed recycling, significantly reducing the volume of waste going to landfill from our production facility. We invested in solar panels to power our factory, reducing our reliance on non-renewable energy sources. We also introduced PVC-free laminating films across our lamination process, replacing standard laminate with lower-impact alternatives.

2023 — Expanded Sustainable Materials Portfolio

In 2023 we continued to expand the range of recyclable and PVC-free materials available to clients. This included additional options for indoor and outdoor applications and further development of our sustainable materials offering to support clients across retail, construction, commercial interiors and public sector projects where environmental requirements are increasingly specified.

2024 — PrintIQ Integration and Production Efficiency

In 2024 we integrated PrintIQ, a cloud-based management information system, across our production operations. PrintIQ automates workflow processes, improves cost management and provides real-time visibility of project progress. From a sustainability perspective, the system reduces resource waste through better planning, reduces human error in production scheduling and supports more accurate material procurement. Less waste in the production process means a lower environmental impact per job.

2025 and 2026 — Consolidation and Capacity Investment

2025 and 2026 have been a period of consolidating the changes made in previous years and continuing to apply them consistently across all production. The Biffa partnership, solar installation, PVC-free materials and hybrid and electric fleet remain active parts of how we operate.

The most significant development in this period has been a £500,000 investment in two new machines: a Liyu Platinum KCXL Pro high-speed oversized UV flatbed printer and a Liyu Q-Cut Digital Cutter. Installed in early 2025, these machines have significantly increased production capacity, improved job turnaround and reduced waste through more accurate cutting and finishing. The Liyu Platinum KCXL Pro allows us to print larger panels, boards and displays at speed, while the Q-Cut enables greater precision in finishing, reducing material waste on complex and bespoke jobs.

The investment also benefited from Wallace Print’s existing high-capacity electrical infrastructure, originally installed during our screen-printing years, which meant the new machinery could be integrated without requiring additional energy infrastructure. We are also actively reviewing a potential further investment in a wide-format roll-to-roll printer, which would strengthen our flexible media offering and improve efficiency on large banner and fabric jobs.

The following materials are available for clients who need to meet environmental requirements on their projects. Suitability depends on the application, surface type and expected service life.

PVC-free banners and display materials — suitable for indoor and outdoor applications where standard PVC would otherwise be specified.

Triaprint — a recyclable polypropylene substrate suitable for point-of-sale, signage and display applications.

Recycled textile substrates — materials made from recycled plastic bottles and PET, suitable for indoor and outdoor banner and display applications.

PVC-free self-adhesive vinyls — available for wall graphics, window graphics and floor applications where lower-impact adhesive materials are required.

PVC-free laminating films — applied across our standard lamination process where appropriate.

If you have specific environmental requirements for a project, raise them at quotation stage and we will advise on which materials are most appropriate.

If your project has specific environmental specifications, whether related to materials, recyclability, carbon reduction targets or supply chain requirements, contact the team at sales@wallaceprint.com or visit our contact page with details, and we will advise on what is achievable. We will not overstate what is available but we will give you an honest account of the options and their implications for your project.