collage of six images. Floss thread, logo stamp, backing boards, stamped logo cookie bag, thank you and personal note cards, aida fabric all in a faded and screen filter making the images look a bit vintage

Why I Choose Sustainable Materials

When you buy a piece of art either an original piece or a print, how many times is it in a clear plastic sleeve? Do you know what the packaging is made up of or where the materials have come from? How important is this information to you when buying art or anything else for that matter?

With the amount of plastics in our oceans, microplastics in our water and materials being shipped from all over the world, I want to use locally produced and environmentally friendly materials with as little waste as possible.

What I put my art in and on

I first started looking for alternatives to plastic sleeves to put my unframed art, prints and postcards in. I discovered biodegradable cookie bags and available in a size that fits my art - perfect!

I also visited Raima in Barcelona, it offers “the most extensive and diverse range of paper to professionals in the World of Design, Architecture and Fine Arts”. This is where I saw the vast amount of choice for backing boards I could use. I chose a recycled card option and they also pre-cut it to the size you need.

shout out stitches logo stamped cookie bags and a5 sized backing boards


How to show my logo

Although I have some stickers with my logo and website on (I am planning to change to biodegradable ones) to include with each purchase I didn’t want to clad all my packaging with them too, instead I wanted to use a stamp.

I came across Big Stamping who are also based in Spain. They make custom stamps in different sizes and can provide a range of coloured ink too. My logo stamp can be found on the cookie bags I use and the cardboard boxes I use for original pieces and custom portraits. (My boxes were also purchased from a local supplier in Vilanova i la Geltrú where I’m based). When sending prints and postcards I use stiff, card envelopes that can be recycled.

black ink stamp with circular shout out stitches logo stamp with big stamping box behind them

 

Fabric and threads

In regards to the fabric, I use a German brand - Zweigart, who “pay great attention to high-grade, sustainable raw materials in order to achieve the best results for our products with respect to our environment”. For example, they use potato starch as an adhesive. Punto y Arte, a shop in Asturias, Spain stocks this brand and I have several pieces of Zweigart fabric from there. 

I try to source as much as I can locally and buy my DMC threads (known for their high quality) from several shops where I live, some of the other fabric I have is also from nearby shops. 

Close up of zweigart aida fabric and some DMC threads on bobbins resting on top of the fabric


Additional materials

When sending an order I also include a thank you note and offer to send a personal note to the intended recipient if it’s a gift. I used Canva to design these and they were printed in Barcelona. And for my prints and postcards I use a local printing shop, I think it’s important to support local businesses and I try to do this where I can.

You can see my whole range of art products in my shop. 

personal note cards that are light blue with the shout out stitches logo on the front the back has light blue border and white space for note with a little pink megaphone in the bottom left corner. Thank you cards that read shout out to you for being you on the front and on the back the business contact details and message of thanks for supporting a small business.
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