Dec 7 -- One of the leading printers on the West Coast is rewriting the book on being environmentally greener while improving its pressroom profitability. Schawk Los Angeles has received certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in recognition of its environmentally sound production practices, as it prepares for the January installation of the world’s first 8-color-plus-coater version of the ROLAND 900 XXL press. “FSC certification represents Schawk’s commitment to the proper management of our natural resources,” says Carl Taylor, Managing Director of Schawk’s LA printing facility. “It will allow us to use the FSC logo to let our clients know that we are playing our part as responsible global citizens.” According to the council, in order to display the FSC logo as an “environmental claim,” a printed product must go through the FSC “chain-of-custody” from a council-certified forest, to a paper manufacturer, merchant, and finally to the printer who has FSC chain-of-custody certification. The certification process involves an independent audit of the printer’s paper inventory procedures and production processes. “Once the paper chain-of-custody was formally documented and the audit was completed, we submitted our certification request,” Taylor says. “Of course, we passed with flying colors.” The FSC certification logo can be a new business magnet for the printers who use it, and the ecological integrity behind the logo can work to keep existing customers satisfied. “The FSC certification is important to some of our best clients, which include film studios and major clothing retailers,” Taylor explains. “It represents our ability to work with them to help meet their corporate goals as global citizens and stewards of the environment.” Schawk’s clients are also going to be pleased with the New Year’s installation of the company’s landmark ROLAND 900 XXL. The press’ 73-inch format makes it ideal for the billboard and bus shelter work for which Schawk is well known. Taylor sees the outdoor market heating up in terms of increased media buys. He also envisions the print quality and production speed of the ROLAND 900 XXL as helping him serve the growing segment. “With bus shelters, the work is physically closer to the viewer,” he says. “That requires the highest print quality. And movie industry campaigns are very time sensitive. The consolidated workflow we’ll realize with the ROLAND 900 XXL reduces manufacturing, which translates to an increase in speed-to-market.”