At B&B Print Source, we believe great design doesn’t have to come at the planet’s expense. As a commercial printer and mailing house serving Portland and the Pacific Northwest, we work closely with local retail businesses to bring their visual communications to life — from point-of-sale signage to packaging and promotional displays. Increasingly, our clients are asking how they can align their graphics with their sustainability goals. The good news is, there are more options than ever to reduce waste, use better materials, and create a more environmentally responsible experience for your customers.
Retail graphics can support your brand’s sustainability efforts without sacrificing quality or creativity.
Minimizing Waste and Material Usage in retail
One of the first and most impactful ways to bring sustainability into your retail graphics strategy is by minimizing the amount of material used — especially for signage and displays that are frequently updated.
Go Reusable or Recyclable:
Instead of printing single-use signs for every seasonal promotion or event, consider investing in modular or reusable signage. Removable graphics that attach to permanent fixtures — like window clings, interchangeable panels, or magnetic signs — allow you to refresh your message without discarding the entire display. Even freestanding POP displays can be designed to be reused multiple times with updated graphics.
Eco-Friendly Packaging Counts Too:
If your retail space includes packaged goods or promotional items, the materials you use for those matter just as much. Recyclable, compostable, or reusable packaging options (like kraft paper, corrugated cardboard, or biodegradable film) show customers you care — and often look great in the process.
Reducing Energy Consumption
The energy used in producing and displaying retail graphics is another important consideration — especially as more businesses seek to reduce their carbon footprint. Our manufacturing areas have been set up to maximize efficiency and minimize electricity usage from the HVAC to shop lighting to the individual presses and finishing equipment.
Smart Lighting Choices:
Retail graphics are often paired with lighting to grab attention — and LED lighting offers a bright, eye-catching result with a fraction of the energy use of traditional bulbs. Even better, use motion sensors or timers so signage is only lit when it needs to be.
Choose Energy-Efficient Displays:
If you use digital signage or screens, look for models with energy-saving certifications and built-in power management settings. Simple actions, like dimming screens outside store hours, can make a measurable difference over time.
Choosing Sustainable Materials
Many of the environmental impacts of retail graphics come from the materials themselves. Luckily, the print and display industries have made significant strides in developing sustainable alternatives.
Recycled and Recyclable Substrates:
At B&B Print Source, we offer a wide selection of recycled and recyclable materials for large-format printing, including post-consumer recycled paper, corrugated board, and even rigid substrates. These materials are ideal for signs, displays, and packaging and don’t compromise quality or print clarity.
Biodegradable and Natural Options:
For a natural look that reinforces your brand’s values, consider using bamboo, cork, jute, or wood-based materials. These renewable resources not only look great, but they also break down more cleanly at the end of their life cycle than plastic-based materials.
Inks and Coatings Matter Too:
Ask your print partner about soy- or vegetable-based inks, which are lower in VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and easier to de-ink during the recycling process. Water-based coatings and adhesives are also more environmentally friendly than traditional alternatives.
Supporting a Circular Economy
Sustainable retail graphics go beyond just reducing waste — they can actually help create value from materials that might otherwise be discarded.
Upcycle and Repurpose When You Can:
Before throwing out old signage or display elements, consider how they might be reused. Can the frame be kept and rewrapped? Can the substrate be reprinted or turned into something new? Collaborate with your printer to explore creative ways to extend the life of your materials.
Offer Recycling Opportunities to Customers:
For packaging and printed materials, consider including recycling instructions directly on the item. You might also offer in-store recycling bins for promotional materials or packaging, helping close the loop and reducing the amount of waste headed to the landfill.
Communicating Sustainability to Your Customers
Perhaps one of the most powerful ways retail graphics can support sustainability is by telling your story. Your customers want to know that their choices — and yours — are making a difference.
Be Transparent and Authentic:
Share your sustainability efforts openly. Highlight eco-friendly materials used in your displays, promote recycling initiatives, and include QR codes linking to your sustainability statement or product sourcing information. Authentic communication builds trust and loyalty.
Let Graphics Tell Your Green Story:
Use your visual materials to educate and inspire. From wall graphics that explain your sourcing policies to shelf talkers that highlight low-waste packaging, your retail space is a canvas for meaningful storytelling.
Doing More With Less in retail — Responsibly
Sustainability in retail graphics isn’t about going without — it’s about doing more with less. With thoughtful design, innovative materials, and a long-term view, businesses can create retail environments that are engaging, efficient, and environmentally responsible.
At B&B Print Source, we’re here to help Portland-area businesses print smarter and greener. Whether you’re looking to refresh your signage, launch an eco-conscious campaign, or build a long-term sustainability strategy for your retail graphics, our team is ready to guide you every step of the way.