At Printed by Us, we don’t believe sustainability should stop at the fabric of a T-shirt. It’s entwined into everything we do—including our prints.
Our hand-pulled prints aren’t just beautiful to look at—they’re made with care, intention, and a whole lot of thought for people and the planet. From the materials we use to the way we work, here’s how we keep our prints as ethical and eco-conscious as possible:
💧 Eco-Friendly Inks: Safe for People & Planet
We use Permaset Aqua water-based inks for all our prints. These are some of the most environmentally friendly inks available—and they perform beautifully.
Made by Permaset, a brand committed to sustainability, these inks are:
✅ 100% solvent-free and water-based – safer for the planet and for people using them
✅ Certified organic (GOTS 6.0 approved) – meeting strict global organic standards
✅ Vegan and not tested on animals
✅ Free from harsh chemicals like phthalates and heavy metals
Permaset also operates a solar-powered manufacturing facility in Australia, keeping energy usage clean and green. So when we pull a squeegee loaded with these vibrant inks, we know we’re doing right by the planet.
♻️ Recycled, British-Made Paper
Once we’ve mixed our inks, we print directly onto a 270gsm G.F. Smith card—a heavyweight, high-quality paper made right here in the UK. Better yet? It’s made from 100% post-consumer recycled material.
G.F. Smith’s Extract range gives new life to waste materials—transforming things like recycled coffee cups into beautiful, sustainable paper stock. Their commitment to reducing landfill waste and promoting closed-loop recycling is just one of the reasons we love working with them.
It's not just good paper—it’s consciously good paper.
🖐 Made by Hand in Sheffield
Every single one of our prints is created in our workshop at Orchard Square, in the heart of Sheffield. But this is more than just a print studio—it’s a place of purpose.
These workshops are part of our supported employment programme for people recovering from homelessness. Each print is made by someone rebuilding their confidence, learning creative skills, and earning the Real Living Wage.
It’s meaningful work—with real impact.
And the slow, hands-on nature of screen printing isn’t just therapeutic—it also builds a sense of pride and purpose that’s vital to recovery and growth.
🖼 Sustainable, Local Framing Too
If you choose to frame your print, you’re supporting even more ethical creativity. All of our frames are custom-made by our friends at APG Works, an independent framing studio in Sheffield.
Each frame is crafted using:
🪵 Reclaimed or offcut wood, reducing waste
🪟 Glass cut to size in-house
🖐 Hand-built to order, with no mass production
This bespoke process keeps things local, low-impact, and built to last—just how we like it.
🌍 A Social and Environmental Mission
We believe that sustainable art should support more than just the environment—it should support people too. Our prints are part of a bigger picture: helping to break cycles of homelessness through creativity, employment, and community.
Every time you buy a print from us, you’re investing in:
💚 A person’s recovery journey
🌿 Ethical materials
🏡 A thriving local economy
🎨 Art with real meaning
We’re always learning, improving, and growing thanks to your support. Because by choosing sustainable materials and ethical processes, we can create something to truly be proud of—together.
Support print with purpose. Browse our collection or visit us in Sheffield City Center to see the magic for yourself!
