The Story of A Local Printer and how we became the first online eco printer

The Who, What, When, Where and Why of A Local Printer

A Local Printer started life as a small business printer in Sussex, mid way between Horsham and Worthing. From here we continue to print and deliver a certified environmentally friendly printing service to the whole of the UK and beyond.

The Route to Fame and Fortune!

The business was founded in 1978 and became a limited company in 1981. In those days we were called Weald Printers - a reference to our location in the heart of the beautiful Weald and Downland area of Sussex. From humble beginnings we operated out of a ramshackle shed with little more than a platen letterpress and lots of enthusiasm.

In 2003 the company was sold to the current management team and from that day forward we have continually re-invested in the business and established ourselves as an online eco-friendly print specialist.

Fate Intervenes

The big turning point came for us in 2005 when we lost a major customer who had decided to move to in-house laser printing. We knew that we had to take action to avert disaster – and quickly! We were already very interested in the eco movement gathering speed in terms of organic produce, recycling and environmental awareness. The proverbial light bulb went on, trumpets played and a massive billboard with ‘eco-printing’ stood in front of us pointing to the way ahead.

Speedy Gonzales has nothing on us

Within 6 months (honest, we have the grey hair to prove it) we had engaged a web designer, written and launched a website, relocated to bigger premises, tested all the recycled and eco papers available (which was only a handful in those days) sourced and trialled vegetable oil based inks, changed our name, created new products and invested in two new presses. Then we sat back and waited.

Slowly slowly catchy monkey

Oh how innocent we were in those days! The website was live so where were all the lovely new internet customers? Of course, Google was playing as hard to get in those days at it does now, but after a six month stint in the sin bin Google realised we were there to stay and all of a sudden the customers and their business came – hungry for an eco printer with an online purchasing portal.

And that’s really how it all started. From humble beginnings and a desire to make eco printing accessible to everyone, A Local Printer has gone from strength to strength.

We are incredibly proud that A Local Printer was the first online printer in the UK to offer a fully eco friendly online print service, and all of our products are as eco today as they were in 2006 when our website went live. Creating a 100% eco friendly printing website allowed us to harness the passion we felt for ‘doing our bit to save the planet’ and I truly believe that we might have helped just a little bit.

What does eco-printing from A Local Printer deliver to you?

• We have been supplying print since 1978 and we know a thing or two about it!

• We were the first all eco online printing company in the UK and remain committed to the environment and providing quality eco-friendly products.

• Delivery is included to mainland UK addresses with a few exceptions to the more remote areas.

• You have a free PDF proof of your artwork which is ‘pre-flight checked’ beforehand. If we spot any sort of problem we will let you know when we send you your proofs.

• When you have a question we have real people and an excellent Customer Service team on hand to help you out.

• Take advantage of our full in-house design services. After a chin wag with one of our designers you will be confident that we will hit your brief.

• We supply free Sample Packs to help you make the right decision for your print and design.

• Fill your basket and enjoy Loyalty Points on every order, towards money off your favourite ALP products.
• No Hidden Extras!

Prices on our website are fully inclusive and include a free disk check, a free PDF proof and FREE delivery to one UK mainland address. (Delivery to Higlands and Islands is charged extra, based upon the delivery postcode, and shown at checkout.) The only extra to pay is VAT, where due, which is added at the shopping cart so you see the price you pay before reaching Checkout.

A Certified Eco Friendly Printing Company

Our company certifications include ISO9001:2015 and ISO14001 and FSC® and we only use established papers that are sourced from responsibly managed forests. These materials have met a strict set of environmental and socially responsible standards, plus you can also choose 100% recycled paper for the ultimate in eco-friendly papers. Our litho presses run alcohol free using vegetable oil based ink, plus we offer eco-friendly digital print for short runs.

To all of our customers, old and new, thank you for choosing A Local Printer - we really appreciate it!