Footprint are a small ecologically minded co-op printers based in Leeds. It is their ambition to be straightforward, friendly, responsible and responsive.
As a workers co-op, Footprint is owned by the workers, with no bosses, run according to the equal opinions of all those involved. Within a co-op management can be elected or each member can take equal responsibility - the latter being the case for Footprint. Each of the 8 members of workers co-op are directors of the company, meaning decisions are made democratically on a consensual basis.Footprint only produce work which they believe in, and will happily turn away any work which they deem as inappropriate or not in-keeping with their morals and ethos.
Set up in the 90s by activists who used the printing facility to print posters for protests and demonstrations, Footprint now print booklets, zines, leaflets, stickers, newsletters, fliers, books, CD wallets and more. Today, James and Claire from the printers came in to talk about the co-op and what they do. James studied and graduated at Leeds College of Art in 2010 and has been working at Footprint since 2012.
Originally, the co-op used a Heidelberger press - an offset lithograph, however this was not as efficient and ethical as they believed they wanted to be perceived. Considering this, they took the opportunity to invest in a Risograph printer. It is this printer that they print 90% of their work on. Risograph printing is in effect a digital screen print. Though typically this only allows for one colour to be printed at a time, Footprint have two drums which allows them to instead print two colours. Risograph printing is much more environmentally friendly as it requires less electricity. Riso ink is made of soya oil and pigment mixed together and the masters plates are made from banana leaf - reducing waste and energy. With their belief in being environmentally friendly, they use 100% post consumer waste/recycled paper and only ship within the UK in attempt to reduce their carbon footprint.
From all profits made, Footprint donate 1% of their turnover to tree companies to give back to the environment, They also offer 10% discount to members of other co-ops, though have an ethos to be affordable for everyone.Regular customers include other co-ops, political campaigners, small companies, artists and self-publishers.They have printed publications for Leeds Zine fair, Leeds No Boarders, Leeds Trans Health, and Black Lives Matter. They produce 'interesting work for nice people.'
They use social media to set events, promote and show the work they have printed and attract customers.
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