Why I Choose Recycled Paper

If you've ever held one of my prints or cards in your hands, you've probably noticed that the paper feels a little different. Tactile, tonally lovely, flecked with character - and that's no accident. Every paper product in my shop is printed on recycled or sustainably sourced paper, and today I wanted to share a bit more about why that matters to me.

Local, Low-Impact Printing

All of my prints and cards are made just up the road at print.work in Leeds - a print studio that shares my love for doing things thoughtfully. They offer a beautiful range of 100% recycled, part-recycled, and FSC® certified papers, and print using a dry toner press system. This means the inks are made from organic biomass (not petrochemicals), and the final prints can be recycled at any plant - though I like to think you'll want to keep them for years to come.

The Papers I Use (and Why I Love Them)

Each product is printed on a paper I’ve chosen carefully, not just for how it looks and feels, but for how it’s made:

• Cards: Printed on Unicorn White — a dreamy, soft white card made from 100% genuine de-inked post-consumer waste and FSC® certified. It’s processed chlorine-free, significantly reducing water contamination. A beautiful, uncoated stock with a slightly textured finish and no compromise on sustainability.

• Art Prints: These go on Elephant Natural - a warm, creamy, unbleached paper, also made from 100% post-consumer waste and FSC® certified. It’s got a lovely natural fleck, and much like Unicorn, it’s processed chlorine-free in an industry-leading mill to strict standards for environmental management.

• Premium Prints: If you’re after something a little extra special, my premium pieces are printed on Perlino Cotton - a luxurious board made from 20% recycled material, and 15% cotton fibres. Still FSC® certified, still responsibly made, but with a premium, textured surface that is soft to the touch. It resembles similar qualities to watercolour/artist sketchbook paper.

Plastic-Free Packaging & Low-Carbon Delivery

Once print.work have finished, my prints are wrapped up in their 100% plastic-free packaging, and sent out via a low-carbon or carbon-neutral delivery service. I then continue this when an order is made from my shop - from start to finish, I want each part of the journey to be as kind to the planet as possible, while still creating beautiful things. I source my packaging from various places but always ensure it's recycled or recyclable.

The Fleck, the Feel, and the Future

Using recycled papers to make my products often costs a little more, but for me, it’s absolutely worth it. I love the feel of them, the way each sheet has its own quiet character — and most importantly, I love what they stand for: circularity, creativity, and care.

Sustainability isn’t a marketing angle - it’s just part of how I work. My illustrations are inspired by the natural world, so protecting it through thoughtful materials feels like the most natural thing in the world.