Eco-Friendly Printing in St. Louis

Eco-friendly printing in St. Louis means using sustainable materials and practices throughout production — soy-based or vegetable inks instead of petroleum-based inks, FSC-certified or recycled paper stocks, and in-house production that minimizes waste and shipping miles. MCI Printing has offered responsible printing practices from our St. Louis shop at 10017 Office Center Ave since 1984.

Yes. MCI Printing uses soy-based inks for commercial offset printing. Soy inks are made from renewable soybeans rather than petroleum, produce lower VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions during printing, and make paper easier to de-ink during recycling. Colors are also more vivid compared to traditional petroleum inks — so sustainable printing does not mean sacrificing quality.

Yes. We stock and can source FSC-certified papers (Forest Stewardship Council — responsibly managed forests) and papers with post-consumer waste (PCW) recycled content. Whether you need 30% recycled content for a brochure or 100% post-consumer stock for a direct mail piece, we can match your project to a sustainable substrate. Ask for options when you request a quote.

Not significantly. Soy-based inks are standard in modern offset printing, so there is no upcharge. FSC-certified and recycled paper stocks typically run 5–15% more than commodity stocks depending on grade and quantity. For most commercial print runs, the cost difference is minor — and many clients find that procurement requirements or CSR reporting goals justify the small premium easily.

Ordering from a national online printer ships your finished product across the country — adding hundreds or thousands of freight miles and the associated carbon emissions. Printing locally with MCI means your job ships a few miles across the St. Louis metro, not from a facility in Ohio or Texas. In-house production at a single St. Louis location also avoids double-handling and outsourced finishing that add additional transport legs.

Yes — and in some cases they exceed standard quality. Soy inks produce more vibrant colors and sharper detail than petroleum inks, particularly on coated stocks. FSC-certified papers are produced to the same quality grades as conventional papers. There is no visual or tactile difference between a job printed on FSC-certified stock versus commodity stock. Your finished piece will look and feel identical, but your supply chain will be more responsible.

It can, especially when paired with MCI's WBE certification. Many organizations—government agencies, universities, and large corporations—have supplier diversity requirements (WBE/MBE spend targets) AND sustainability procurement policies. Choosing MCI lets you satisfy both with a single vendor: a Women's Business Enterprise that also uses soy inks and FSC-certified stocks. We can provide documentation for both upon request.

Start with your end use: Will the piece be mailed, displayed, or handed out? How long does it need to last? Then consider recycled content (30%, 50%, or 100% post-consumer waste) and certifications (FSC, SFI, or PEFC). For most direct mail and brochure projects, a 30% PCW coated stock is a practical sustainable upgrade with minimal cost impact. Our team can recommend the right green stock for your project and budget — call (314) 849-7228 or get a free quote online.