Beacon Press completes massive print project for Christian Aid

• The Christian Aid Week (CAW) project comprises 11 different items ranging from 50 to 1,000,000 copies

• The project was produced on a variety of FSC accredited paper stocks

• Beacon Press chosen on the basis of technical expertise and environmental capability

• CAW 2007 runs from 13th-19th May 2007

Beacon Press has completed a major print project for Christian Aid as part of their largest annual campaign, Christian Aid Week (CAW) 2007. The charity runs this high-profile campaign across a wide range of advertising media including outdoor, direct marketing and television. The campaign raises around £15 million every year through donations to the Christian Aid web site as well as thanks to the hard work of its 300,000 volunteer collectors.

The CAW 2007 project consisted of 11 separate items including booklets, leaflets, posters and cards. The quantities printed ranged from 50 copies for the A1 Promotional Poster to nearly 1,000,000 copies for the Prayer/Action Cards and most items were produced in both English and Welsh.

All CAW 2007 items were printed on a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accredited range of papers using Matt, Silk and Uncoated stocks. The stocks contain a minimum of 75% recovered waste up to 100% recycled.

Beacon Press has a very strong working relationship with Christian Aid going back over 15 years having produced a huge range of projects over the years from campaigns to annual reports. Derek Floyde at Beacon Press says: “All of the items were printed using Beacon's environmental print technology which includes the use of vegetable based inks throughout and were produced without the use of harmful industrial alcohol.”

The environment is of great importance to Christian Aid. The effects of climate change have wide ranging implications for the developing world and Christian Aid are doing all they can at every level to reduce their negative impact on the environment, and as they produce a large number of printed items, ethical print purchasing is vital.

Beacon Press was well placed to assist Christian Aid on that front since the company is a member of WWF-UK Forest and Trade Network and has a responsible paper purchasing policy. Derek continues: “We have helped and advised Christian Aid on many aspects of the print and paper buying process over the last few years with particular emphasis on recycled and FSC accredited papers. In using one range of stock from one supplier we were able to buy more effectively so keeping costs under control - another huge incentive for such a major charity.”

Christian Aid places great importance on the quality of their imagery, therefore Beacon produced scatter proofs of the main images on different stocks in order to test their suitability.

Frances McConnell, Head of Design and Production at Christian Aid comments: “This was an extremely complicated project where colour matching across different items and paper stocks was essential. We love working with Beacon Press because they provide excellent customer service and have a wealth of technical knowledge. To top it all, they are by far the best environmental print factory in the UK which makes them an ideal partner for Christian Aid.”

Beacon Press is now reprinting some of the items as the campaign starts to take momentum and demands for complete packs increase.

Christian Aid Week 2007 runs from 13th -19th May 2007. To make a donation, please visit www.caweek.org