Visual Marking Systems Announces Opening Of Green Printing Room & Reveals New Green Logo

Aug. 18, 2011 - PRLog -- (Cleveland, OH) -- As a leader in innovation in the printing industry, Visual Marking Systems (VMS) is proud to announce the opening of the newly installed VMS Green Room.  This new digital print room is a green space that makes use of the latest technologies to create a print room that makes use of eco-friendly materials, uses less energy and reduces the impact on the environment.
   
To promote their new sustainability policy, VMS has developed a new green logo that it will use to promote products and services from the new VMS Green Room.

VMS began its new VMS Green Room by using more sustainable products in its build out.  The drywall used in the room is 100% recycled content.  Signage and other materials in the room make use of new products on the market.  These products include materials from Aurora Specialty Textiles, makers of Act II, printable fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles and RePlay2 fabric made from 100% recycled polyester.  They also employed the new plastic product from MicroGREEN called Incycle. This product is made from recycled plastics with 80 % air and is used in signs and displays.

VMS also looked to reduce energy consumption.  They converted all lighting within the space to new, energy efficient T-8 light fixtures.  This has had a larger than expected impact.  This new lighting not only reduces energy consumption, but has also succeeded in producing better color accuracy in the print room.  This has resulted in a reduction of reprints, saving time, energy and materials.  Furthermore, this improved lighting makes for a safer and more pleasant working environment.

VMS began to look at more eco-friendly materials and inks that they could offer their customers.  In addition to the recycled content fabrics Act II and RePlay 2, VMS realized the value of MicroGREEN’s Incycle product.  This product is 80 % air, and thus reduces shipping costs as well as fuel in delivery.  

The most important part of the print process, the inks, has not been ignored.  The VMS Green Room will use only inks that are not ozone depleting (as put forth by the Montreal convention).  In addition, these inks are formulated free from aromatic hydrocarbons known to have an adverse effect on the environment, reducing off gassing and odors most commonly associated with print production.  VMS has chosen their ink products carefully, using only products that are eco-solvent and environmentally friendly while delivering the performance of traditional mild and true solvent inks.

The VMS Green Room is currently open, but the efforts of VMS to be more environmentally sustainable have not stopped.  VMS continues to work to reduce waste and to divert more of the waste it does create from landfill.  It is continuously working to improve its recycling efforts and works closely with vendors on possible take back programs on scrap waste (i.e. PETG).  It educates and informs its staff on the importance of waste reduction and the impact business has on the environment.  VMS has made it a priority to work with suppliers who offer greener alternatives and who have also adopted green policies and practices.    VMS is not afraid to try and test new products that have a smaller impact on the environment.  Preference is given to materials that are made from post consumer recycled content and that are recyclable at the end of their lifecycle.  They also have built upon their LEAN practices to reduce overall waste in work, time, and materials.  

VMS is using these industry best practices and new materials to apply for certification as a Sustainable Green Printing Partner (SGP).  VMS hopes to receive its certification in a few short months and will be only the second printer in Ohio to receive such certification.  

Soon the new green VMS logo and VMS Green Room will be synonymous with not just high quality service and products, but with environmentally sustainable practices and materials.

ABOUT VMS:
For over 50 years Visual Marking Systems (VMS) has been a leader in the high-performance custom graphic design services and printing industry producing products for the OEM, Point-of-Sale, Public Transit, and Fleet Graphics industries. This family owned business, located in Twinsburg, Ohio has over 100 employees.  Clients include Lincoln Electric, Enterprise Truck, FedEx and Downing Display.
For more information, please visit www.vmsinc.com