Sustainability & Ethics at ICON Printing

Responsible Merch. Clear Standards. No Greenwashing.

For Icon Printing, sustainability isn’t a trend, it’s an expectation.

At ICON Printing, we believe branded merchandise should reflect your values as well as your design. That’s why we work with responsibly sourced garments, transparent suppliers and low-impact printing methods wherever possible.

We won’t overclaim. We won’t use vague eco language. And if something isn’t sustainable, we’ll tell you.

1. Responsible Garment Sourcing

We carefully select garments from suppliers who demonstrate recognised environmental and ethical standards.

Where available, we offer:

• Organic cotton certified to recognised standards such as GOTS
• Recycled fibres including recycled polyester and blended materials
• OEKO-TEX® tested fabrics (free from harmful substances)
• Products from suppliers aligned with ethical labour codes and audited facilities

If a garment carries certification, we will clearly state which certification and what it means.

If it doesn’t, we won’t imply that it does.

2. Ethical Labour & Supply Chain Standards

Our suppliers are selected based on alignment with internationally recognised labour standards, including:

• Safe working environments
• Fair wages and regulated working hours
• No child or forced labour
• Independent auditing where applicable

We prioritise working with brands that are transparent about where and how their garments are made.

If you need specific documentation for procurement or ESG reporting, we can provide supporting information where available.

3. Lower-Impact Printing Practices

Printing itself has an environmental footprint. We take practical steps to reduce it:

• Water-based inks available for suitable projects
• Careful production planning to reduce waste
• Efficient ink mixing and material usage
• Advice on design choices that minimise excess production

We also support made-to-order and controlled-volume production where appropriate, helping reduce overstock and unused merchandise.

4. Eco Collections & Clear Labelling

To make sustainable choices easier, we offer clearly identified product options, including:

• Organic ranges
• Recycled garment collections
• Eco-focused apparel lines suitable for events, charities and corporate initiatives

If you’re unsure what level of sustainability is right for your project, we’ll explain the trade-offs clearly — including cost, lead time and material differences.

5. Transparent Advice

We understand that many of our clients — from UK businesses to charities and events — need to demonstrate responsible purchasing.

That’s why we:

• Explain what certifications actually cover
• Clarify the difference between “organic”, “recycled” and “responsibly sourced”
• Avoid blanket environmental claims
• Provide straightforward answers to sustainability questions

If something isn’t environmentally certified, we won’t market it as such.

6. Continuous Improvement

Sustainability is evolving. We continuously review:

• New certified suppliers
• Improved garment materials
• Lower-impact printing options
• Industry best practice

Our aim is steady, measurable improvement — not marketing shortcuts.

Working on a Sustainable Project?

Whether you’re sourcing merch for:

• Corporate ESG initiatives
• UK charity events
• Festivals and community events
• Eco-conscious brands
• Ethical retail

We can help you choose products that genuinely align with your sustainability goals.

Have Questions About Ethical Sourcing?

If you need:

• Certification clarification
• Supply chain information
• Help choosing lower-impact garments
• Advice for sustainable merch planning

Speak to our team and we’ll guide you through your options.

Responsible merch starts with informed decisions.