Eco-Friendly Printing That Doesn't Sacrifice Quality
4OVER4 prints on FSC Certified paper with vegetable-based inks and waterless technology. Same presses that print for Google, MoMA, and the United Nations. Green by default since 1999. No upcharge.
4OVER4 is an FSC Certified eco-friendly printing company (FSC #C013635) based in Queens, New York, operating since 1999. The facility uses vegetable-based inks with zero VOC emissions, waterless printing technology that saves approximately 20,000 gallons of water per month, and a 70% waste reduction program. All standard paper stocks are FSC Certified. LED UV curing eliminates volatile organic compounds. These green printing practices are the default process for every order -- not an upcharge or premium tier.
Certifications & Practices
What Makes Printing Eco-Friendly?
Most printers slap a green leaf on their website and call it sustainability. 4OVER4 has audited certifications and measurable numbers. Here's what actually makes printing eco-friendly, and what 4OVER4 does for each one.
FSC Certified Paper (FSC #C013635)
Every sheet of paper 4OVER4 uses is tracked from responsibly managed forests to your finished print. Chain-of-custody certification means trees get replanted, biodiversity stays protected, and workers in the supply chain get treated fairly. This isn't a self-awarded badge. The Forest Stewardship Council audits it.
Vegetable-Based Inks (Zero VOC)
No petroleum solvents. 4OVER4 uses vegetable-based inks that produce the same color punch without the chemical waste. G7 Certified color accuracy confirms it -- you get identical vibrancy with zero volatile organic compound emissions. The press room smells better too.
Waterless Printing Technology
Traditional offset presses use water to separate ink from non-image areas. 4OVER4's waterless presses use silicone-coated plates instead, saving approximately 20,000 gallons of water every month. Side benefit: waterless printing produces sharper dots and cleaner details than wet offset.
70% Waste Reduction Program
Material recycling, optimized sheet layouts, efficient press runs. 4OVER4 has cut production waste by 70% compared to industry standard. That's not a target on a slide deck. It's the current measured number.
LED UV Curing (Zero Emissions)
4OVER4's LED UV curing system uses less energy than conventional UV lamps and produces zero VOC emissions. Instant ink curing means faster production, less energy consumption, and a smaller carbon footprint per print run.
Clean Chemistry
All paper stock is elemental-chlorine-free (ECF), acid-free, and heavy-metal-free. That matters for the water supply downstream and for the people handling your prints. The Metallic Pearl line? Eco-friendly, recyclable, and biodegradable.
Paper Options
Eco-Friendly Paper Options at 4OVER4
All 60+ standard paper stocks at 4OVER4 are FSC Certified. But some go further than others. Here's the breakdown by environmental impact level.
| Paper | Eco Feature | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 100% Recycled Kraft (18pt-80pt) | Min 30% post-consumer recycled, biodegradable | Business cards, hang tags, packaging |
| Uncoated Cover (14pt) | 30% post-consumer recycled content, FSC | Business cards, postcards, letterheads |
| Metallic Pearl (Ice/Champagne/Gold/Silver) | Eco-friendly, recyclable, biodegradable | Premium business cards, invitations |
| Classic Linens | FSC Certified, textured natural feel | Stationery, letterheads, announcements |
| 100% Cotton (Reich Savoy) | Natural fibers, FSC Certified | Luxury business cards, invitations |
| Standard Gloss/Matte | FSC Certified paper, vegetable inks | Everything -- postcards, brochures, flyers |
The recycled Kraft is the strongest eco play. Natural brown texture, minimum 30% post-consumer content, biodegradable. Customers in sustainability, organic food, and wellness pick it constantly because the material itself signals their values before anyone reads a word.
Every paper on this list goes through 4OVER4's green printing process: vegetable inks, waterless presses, LED UV curing, 70% waste reduction. The eco-friendly part isn't the paper alone. It's the entire production chain.
Want to feel the paper before ordering? 4OVER4 ships free sample kits.
How It Works
How Eco-Friendly Printing Works at 4OVER4
You don't order “the green option.” Every order is green. Here's the process.
Step 1: Pick Your Product and Paper
All 350+ products run through the same eco-friendly process. Choose recycled Kraft for maximum impact, or any FSC Certified stock. Every option is a green option.
Step 2: Design or Upload
Use the free Canvs online editor with 10,000+ templates, or upload your own files. The eco part happens behind the scenes. You just design.
Step 3: 4OVER4 Prints Green
Vegetable inks hit the waterless press. LED UV curing dries the ink instantly with zero emissions. 70% of production waste gets diverted from landfill. Your prints come out sharp, vibrant, and produced responsibly. No extra steps on your end. No extra cost.
Comparison
Green Printing vs Traditional Printing: Side by Side
Here's what changes, and what does not, when a printer goes green.
| Feature | 4OVER4 Eco Printing | Traditional Printing |
|---|---|---|
| Paper source | FSC Certified (FSC #C013635) | Often unknown origin |
| Inks | Vegetable-based, zero VOC | Petroleum-based solvents |
| Water usage | Waterless technology (~20K gal saved/mo) | 20,000+ gallons/month consumed |
| Production waste | 70% reduction program | Industry average |
| Ink curing | LED UV (zero emissions) | Conventional UV (VOC emissions) |
| Paper chemistry | Elemental-chlorine-free, acid-free | Standard chemical processing |
| Print quality | G7 Certified color accuracy | Varies by shop |
| Price to customer | Standard pricing | Standard pricing |
| Eco surcharge | None -- green is the default | N/A |
The price column is what surprises people. 4OVER4 doesn't charge extra for eco-friendly printing because the entire facility runs this way. Vegetable inks and waterless presses aren't a premium tier. They're the only presses in the building. Has been since the company invested in the equipment. You're not paying for “green.” You're paying for printing, and it happens to be green.
The Business Case
Why Eco-Friendly Printing Matters for Your Brand
This isn't a guilt trip. It's a business decision. Here's what the numbers say.
B2B Buyers Check
Procurement departments at larger companies increasingly require vendors to show environmental certifications. FSC Certified prints check that box without you having to explain anything -- the logo on your materials does the talking.
Customers Notice
Consumer demand for sustainable products is growing year over year. A business card printed on recycled Kraft or with a small FSC logo tells customers what kind of company they're dealing with before the conversation starts.
It Costs You Nothing Extra
At 4OVER4, switching to eco-friendly printing doesn't mean switching to a different price tier. Same cost. Same turnaround. Same 350+ products. The only thing that changes is your environmental footprint.
Local + Green = Strong Position
4OVER4 prints in Queens, NY. If your business operates in the Northeast, your prints aren't flying across the country. Shorter shipping distance, smaller carbon footprint, and you're supporting a local manufacturer. Since 1999.
It's Not Just Paper
Eco printing covers inks (vegetable-based, zero VOC), water usage (waterless tech), energy (LED UV curing), waste (70% reduction), and paper sourcing (FSC Certified). Every step of production is cleaner. That's a story worth telling your customers.
Product Range
Every Product. Printed Green.
4OVER4's eco-friendly process isn't limited to business cards. Here's what you can print, all on FSC Certified paper with vegetable inks and waterless technology.
Business Cards
20+ styles, 14pt to 80pt -- FSC Certified, recycled Kraft option
Shop nowPostcards
17+ styles -- FSC Certified, same green process
Shop nowStickers & Labels
50+ sizes, 25+ premium papers -- Eco-friendly adhesive options
Shop nowBrochures
9 papers, 13 fold types -- FSC Certified + vegetable inks
Shop nowCustom Boxes & Packaging
Recycled materials available
Shop nowBanners & Signs
Water-based latex inks for large format
Shop now350+ products in total. All of them go through the same eco-friendly production process. Need something custom? 4OVER4's team handles unusual materials, sizes, and finishes. Submit a custom project request.
Want to try before you commit? Get 200 free business cards , printed the same eco-friendly way.
Our Story
Partner With Innovators
They told us we were crazy. We don't want to be sane.
The Beginning
In 1999, Google was barely starting out. WiFi didn't exist. People were afraid of Y2K. And two best friends, second-generation immigrants and patent-holding engineers in Queens, New York, launched 4OVER4.COM as the second web-based printer in the entire United States.
The Innovation
4OVER4 was the first printer to introduce full-color printing with 24 to 48 hour turnaround. When the industry said it couldn't be done that fast, they did it anyway. No compromises, no excuses, just engineering.
27 Years and Counting
Over 350 products. More than 6,000 possible combinations. 150,000+ businesses served, from solo freelancers to Google and the United Nations. A facility in Queens that still runs on vegetable inks and waterless presses, because that's the equipment they chose to invest in, not because someone in marketing said “sustainability” was trending.
The green printing? That's not a marketing initiative. The presses have been waterless and the inks vegetable-based since the equipment was chosen. It's just how 4OVER4 prints.
Customer Voices
What Eco-Conscious Businesses Say About 4OVER4
“We switched to 4OVER4 specifically for the FSC Certification. Our clients in the sustainability space notice those details on our printed materials. Print quality is just as good as our old printer -- actually better.”
“The recycled Kraft business cards are a conversation starter at every meeting. People pick them up and ask about the texture. Then we tell them it's 100% recycled. That opens doors.”
“I didn't even know 4OVER4 was eco friendly until after my first order. Found out later that all their printing is green by default. No extra cost. That's how it should work.”
Guarantees
Every Green Print Backed by 4OVER4's 5 Guarantees
Eco-friendly printing with full guarantees. No trade-offs.
Premium Quality Guarantee
Premium papers, professional-grade inks, and hands-on quality control on every print job.
110% Price Match Guarantee
Find a lower price anywhere and we beat it by 10%, no matter the order size.
On-Time Delivery Guarantee
Guaranteed on-time arrival with same-day and next-day rush printing available.
Responsive Customer Service Guarantee
Live support from 10AM to 6PM EST weekdays plus instant Live Chat responses.
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Flawless finishing and printing on every order, or we make it right.
FAQ
Eco-Friendly Printing: Your Questions Answered
10 common questions about green printing, eco certifications, and 4OVER4's process.
Is 4OVER4's printing actually eco friendly?
Yes. 4OVER4 is FSC Certified (FSC #C013635), uses vegetable-based inks instead of petroleum solvents, runs waterless printing technology that saves approximately 20,000 gallons of water per month, and maintains a 70% waste reduction program. LED UV curing eliminates VOC emissions. These are audited certifications and measured results, not marketing language. In place since 1999.
What does FSC Certified mean?
FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council. FSC Certification means the paper comes from responsibly managed forests where trees are replanted, biodiversity is protected, and workers are treated fairly. 4OVER4's chain-of-custody number is FSC #C013635, which tracks every sheet from forest to finished print. It's an independent third-party audit -- not self-reported.
Does eco-friendly printing cost more?
Not at 4OVER4. Green printing is the default process, not a premium add-on. FSC Certified paper, vegetable inks, waterless technology, and LED UV curing are how the entire facility operates. You pay standard prices. The 100% recycled Kraft option is also competitively priced with no eco surcharge.
Are vegetable-based inks as good as petroleum inks?
Yes. Vegetable-based inks produce the same color vibrancy and durability. 4OVER4 is G7 Certified, meaning colors are calibrated to industry-standard accuracy regardless of ink type. You get identical print quality with zero VOC emissions. No visible or tactile difference.
What is waterless printing?
Traditional offset presses use water to separate ink from non-image areas on the plate. Waterless printing replaces that with silicone-coated plates, cutting water out of the process entirely. 4OVER4's waterless presses save approximately 20,000 gallons of water per month. Bonus: it produces sharper halftone dots and less chemical runoff.
Can I get eco-friendly business cards?
Every business card 4OVER4 prints is eco-friendly by default -- FSC Certified paper, vegetable inks, waterless technology. For maximum impact, choose 100% recycled Kraft (minimum 30% post-consumer content). 4OVER4 also offers 200 free business cards to new customers, printed the same green way. 200 free business cards
What eco-friendly paper options does 4OVER4 offer?
All 60+ standard paper stocks are FSC Certified. The standout eco options: 100% recycled Kraft (min 30% post-consumer, biodegradable), uncoated cover with 30% post-consumer content, and Metallic Pearl (eco-friendly, recyclable, biodegradable). Available across business cards, postcards, brochures, stickers, and most standard products.
Is 4OVER4 better than dedicated eco printers?
4OVER4 matches or exceeds the eco credentials of dedicated green printers (FSC Certified, vegetable inks, waterless technology) while offering 350+ products, 60+ paper types, specialty finishes like foil and embossing, same-day shipping from NYC, a free online designer with 10,000+ templates, and a price match guarantee. Dedicated eco printers typically offer 15-30 products with limited finish options.
Does 4OVER4 offer carbon-neutral shipping?
Not currently. 4OVER4 focuses on reducing environmental impact where it matters most -- the production stage. Waterless printing, vegetable inks, FSC paper, LED UV curing, and 70% waste reduction address the bulk of printing's environmental footprint. Shipping from Queens, NY also means shorter distances for Northeast customers.
What products can I print eco-friendly at 4OVER4?
All of them. Business cards, postcards, stickers, brochures, booklets, packaging, banners, signs -- the entire catalog of 350+ products runs through the same eco-friendly production process. Vegetable inks, waterless presses, FSC Certified paper, and LED UV curing are the default for every order. No exceptions, no extra cost.
Get Started
Print Without the Guilt
FSC Certified. Vegetable inks. Waterless presses. 70% waste reduction. All sass. No harm. That's 4OVER4 since 1999.
Legal Disclaimer
4OVER4 is FSC Certified under chain-of-custody number FSC #C013635. Eco-friendly claims on this page refer to FSC Certified paper, vegetable-based inks, waterless printing technology, LED UV curing, and the facility's 70% waste reduction program. The 100% recycled Kraft option contains minimum 30% post-consumer recycled content. Water savings are approximate monthly averages based on facility production volume. Free samples available to verify paper quality and stock options.