I’m not sure if we needed to travel this far to experiment with Permaset, but as Berlin is at the forefront of the screen printing industry, it wasn’t a bad excuse to take a little trip.

Below are a few pictures of us at the studio of Lindsey Ruben who runs a boutique couture print shop experimenting with Permaset. More to follow…

Ecoprintworks Berlin Permaset

By popular request, we’re now offering recycled hang-tags from our friends at Greenerprinter up in Berkeley.Recycled hang tags are a great way to brand your apparel – as well as pass along important information to customers about the production characteristics of both the garment and the printing process employed to create your beautiful finished product. Drop us a line today at 877.326.2052 to talk about minimums and costs. You can also contact us here.

EcoPrintworks made an appearance at the New Living Expo – a fun, green oriented festival that took place over the weekend in San Francisco’s south of market district.

It’s always good to get out and see what other innovators in the industry are up to. Klean Kanteen, Rainbow Grocery, and Urban Yogis – among others, were out, spreading the word.

Ecoprintworks at New Liviing Expo

The use of organic cotton is up – worldwide production has inceased 153% last year alone – and for good reason.

Organic Cotton Crop

Less than 3% of agricultural land is planted with conventionally grown cotton, but that 3% consumes 20% of all pesticides used and 22% of all insecticides. According to the WWF (pdf), of the 46 chemicals commonly used on cotton, five are considered ‘extremely hazardous, eight ‘highly hazardous’, and 20 ‘moderately hazardous’.

And that’s just not bad for the planet. According to the World Health Organization 20,000 deaths occur each year from pesticide poisoning in developing countries.

A 2000 USDA study revealed that eighty-four million pounds of pesticides were sprayed on cotton in the U.S.A
That adds up to 1/3 of a pound of chemicals to produce enough cotton for a t-shirt, and 3/4 of a pound for a pair of jeans.

Organic cotton not only diminishes the use of these terribly harmful substances, but it uses less water to irrigate, and regenerates the soil with sustainable crop rotation practices.

To read more about organic cotton:
Organic Trade Association
Hae Now

When people hear eco-fashion – many think oxymoron – the two words just don’t go together.   Christine Marchuska, founder of eco-fashion line cmarchuska is out to change that with a series of online commercials steaming up the internet.

Marchuska uses sustainable fabrics, and produces her stuff right out of NY’s famed Garment District.

EcoPrintworks recognized by Eco Child’s Play for printing with non-toxic, Oeko-Tex Class I certified Permaset Aqua inks. The Oeko-tex certification is especially important to parents of young ones – as it means that said products are of the highest safety standard, and certified safe for children under the age of two.

Eco Child’s Play was founded by Jennifer Lance, and is one of the leading journals for greener choices facing parent’s today. Our inclusion in the journal is an honor.

Click here for the article on eco friendly screen-printing…

Eco Child's Play Article

Ecobags, the leading maker of reusable organic cotton and recycled bags since its inception in 1989 is profiled in this NPR piece.

Brand new organic cotton apron from Hae Now. The bib apron is a sturdy medium weight organic cotton twill, classic 3-pocket style. As you’d expect from Hae Now, the cut and construction of the apron is high-quality and well thought out: a comfortable 3/4″ wide neck strap, extra-long ties, re-inforced stitch at stress points. 28″W x 25″L.

• 100% Organic Cotton
• Dyed with eco-friendly, low-impact dyes
• Color fast. Machine wash/dry
• Quality stitching
• Enzyme washed for extra softness

Call or write for pricing on custom printed organic cotton aprons…

Take a look at Hae Now’s production processes…

Printwear and Promotion is recognized as the leading journal for the decorated garment industry in Great Britain. At this year’s Printwear & Promotion awards and trade fair, one of our suppliers – EarthPositive was selected as the winner of the EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2008 in the ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY SAVING CATEGORY.

“We are very proud to have been awarded in recognition of EarthPositive Apparel and the 89% reduction in carbon emissions we have achieved, and also – and perhaps more significantly – as a recognition of the EarthPositive brand in the way it points to the future of the industry.” said Mariusz Stochaj, who received the award on behalf of the Company.

EcoPrintworks is proud to work with a company that continually pushes the limits to achieve a more sustainable, earth friendly product. For custom EarthPositive apparel take a look at EcoPrintworks.com.