WHAT WE DO
Fingerprints is a UK based Screen Printing company specializing in clothing printing using water based Inks which don’t contain harmful chemicals that can damage the environment. We print T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Shorts, and a range of other garments. We aren’t your typical T Shirt printing company, we source our garments from companies that produce responsibly made clothing, clothing suppliers that use organic cotton, and suppliers that take care to look after their employees. We are a friendly clothing printers so please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information on 01274 565 326, email us sales@fingerprintscoop.com or come and visit us at Fingerprints, 122-126 Main St, Bingley, BD16 2HL. If you would like to learn more about why we do what we do, we have provided lots of information for you below.
WHY USE WATER BASED INKS?
We only use water based inks. Most T shirt printing companies use plastisol inks that contain PVC and phthalates that can harm the environment. These inks often need drying at high temperatures to cure the ink, thus using large amounts of energy. The inks we use are self-curing at room temperature.
Plastisol inks require harmful solvents to clean the ink off after printing, whereas water based inks are cleaned off with water.
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION
- Does not contain ozone depleting chemicals
- Is formulated free from aromatic hydrocarbons
- Is free of any volatile solvent and can therefore be considered to have less impact on the environment when compared with solvent-based products.
- Is water-based and can therefore be considered to have less impact on the environment, when compared with solvent-based products.
WHY CHOOSE FAIRTRADE & ORGANIC?
Fairtrade is an alternative system of world trade that makes sure farmers and workers are given a fair and guaranteed price for what they grow and the work they do. Fairtrade also ensures that there is no forced or child labour, working conditions are safe and healthy and that both workers and the environment are treated with respect.
Fairtrade organic cotton farming leads to higher revenues for farmers, making agriculture a viable way of earning a living. Conventional cotton farmers in poorer areas can struggle as the cost of fertilisers, pesticides, and possibly GM seeds, can lead to a spiral of rising costs, rising debts, and more pressure to increase yields. This pressure is multiplied as world cotton prices fall due in part to the huge subsidies received by American and European farmers.
Organic cotton farmers encourage natural pest predators like birds, bees and insects. Crop rotation and crop mixing maintains soil quality. Over time yields and cotton quality increase, and a local biologically diverse eco-system is established.
Organic cotton farmers do not use artificial pesticides or herbicides for pest control. Some of the chemicals used in conventional cotton growing are extremely toxic according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), and can lead to water pollution, reduced soil fertility, and severe health problems. Some chemical residues remain in the cotton even after it has been made into clothing, possibly causing skin irritations to the wearer.
RESPONSIBLE PRINTING
We are passionate about caring for our environment. From the very beginning we’ve printed using water based inks, complimented with a wide range of responsibly sourced garments.
What is responsibly sourced?
As a T shirt printing company we supply a wide range of ethical products carrying different accreditations & certificates from responsible suppliers, so lets try and understand what they all mean.
GOTS
Made from 100% organic cotton certified by GOTS. It’s biological fertilizers and earthworms instead of chemicals, cleaner rivers and groundwater, enriched biodiversity and toxic free handpicking by the farmers.
EU ECOLABEL
The garment makers treat and reuse wastewater and reduce and recycle waste. They only use the most environmentally friendly dyes and continuously innovate the way they make clothing. All according to the highest industry requirements demanded by the EU Ecolabel.
FAIRTRADE
Fairtrade isn’t charity. It’s an okay way to trade. Farmers growing the cotton receive a fair price for their crops. With the Fairtrade minimum price and Premium, they can invest in better tools or send their kids to school.
SA8000
Factory workers are hardworking people. It’s okay when they have good, safe working conditions. By using SA8000, the highest international labour standard, that’s the case.
RENEWABLES
Instead of using conventional energy products are manufactured using renewable energy. That helps reduce CO2 and is beneficial for both local environment and global climate.
OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100
Oeko-tex screens your finished product for hazardous chemicals and any other harmful substances. That way, Oeko-tex becomes your final stamp and guarantee your clothing is clean and ready to wear.
FAIR WEAR FOUNDATION
Fair wear Foundation works with garment brands, garment workers and industry influencers to improve labour conditions in garment factories.
PETA - APPROVED VEGAN
The “PETA-Approved Vegan” logo allows companies that sell apparel and accessories to highlight their vegan offerings, helping consumers find animal-free products at a glance and make purchases that align with their values.
THE ORGANIC CONTENT STANDARD (OCS)
The Organic Content Standard (OCS) applies to any clothing, or accessories containing 5-100 percent organic material. It verifies the presence and amount of organic material in a final product.
CO2 CLIMATE NEUTRAL
The Carbon Trust Certification certifies organisations and products to PAS 2026, an internationally recognized standard for the demonstration of carbon neutrality.
GLOBAL RECYCLED STANDARD
The Global Recycled Standard is a internationally recognized product standard that follows the chain of production from the source to ensure the clothing and accessories produced are recycled; environmental practices are followed; and there are chemical restrictions.