INDUSTRY NEWS
August 2025
An Evening with the Royals told by Robert Jobson
7 AUGUST 2025
After the ceremony and excitement of welcoming The Queen as a new Honorary Liveryman what better way to end July than an evening with The Standard’s Royal Correspondent Robert Jobson, writes Mike James.
We moved from a regular Literary Lunch at Ye Olde Watling to a sell-out evening dinner at the sophisticated L’escargot in the heart of Soho.
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Consumers Do Not Understand What Causes Deforestation - A Two Sides article
7 AUGUST 2025
The recent research published by Two Sides Europe, the ‘Trend Tracker Survey 2025’, looks at changing consumer perceptions towards print, paper and paper-based packaging, specifically at their environmental perceptions, reading habits, packaging preferences and attitudes towards tissue products.
What Impacts On Forests Most?
The print and paper industry is surrounded by myths, many of which are rooted in historical misconceptions about paper’s impact on forests. The need to bust these myths and raise awareness of paper’s sustainability is now more important than ever.
This recent consumer research reveals a significant gap between perception and reality. When asked which industries or activities have the greatest impact on forests, only 41% of respondents correctly identified agriculture, including farming and cattle raising - as the leading contributor and primary cause of deforestation. In contrast, 60% of European consumers believe urban development poses the greatest threat, an increase from 55% in both 2021 and 2023. 58% believe palm oil plantations (up from 52% in 2023), 54% think construction and timber (up from 52% in 2023), 52% believe energy and wood fuel (slightly down from 54%), and 46% deem the paper and pulp industry is the most significant contributor - up from 42% in 2023.
In reality, deforestation is primarily driven by agricultural expansion, especially in tropical and sub-tropical regions. European forests, where most of the raw material for paper and paper-based packaging originates, are growing with net forest area increasing by the equivalent of approximately 1,500 football pitches per day.¹ ²
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Exhibition of fine books and bookbinding - The Stationers Company
6 AUGUST 2025
Stationers involvement in Open House London on Sunday 21st September will again include an exhibition of fine books and binding organised by Liveryman Chris Andrews. This exhibition shows how our founding trades are still relevant and that the skills employed are still used. Fine books produced by fellow liverymen and their companies will be on show, as well as bookbinding skills and an opportunity to learn more of all the processes involved.
A very high quality brochure about Stationers Hall and the exhibition will be available as a take away souvenir for all visitors
The IPIA asks print to look ‘beyond the margin’
5 AUGUST 2025
The Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA) is setting out to tackle a critical issue for the print industry at its Annual Conference on August 28th – how to achieve business growth, seize opportunity and overcome an array of market challenges.
Held at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry, the event’s theme is, “Beyond the Margin – charting new territory for growth, adaptation and commercial success in print.”
Alasdair Browne, Chair of the IPIA, comments: “This year’s theme reflects a pressing need for our industry to look past the immediate pressures of day‑to‑day operation, fighting to protect profit margins on existing work, and consider where future growth will come from. The conference brings together in-depth research, practical case studies and expert perspectives to help print businesses navigate those wider opportunities.”
The conference will encourage delegates to explore the new markets, smarter processes and fresh thinking that allow businesses not just to survive, but to evolve and thrive.
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Insight & Influence: Navigating Uncertainty, Embracing Change – Highlights from BOSS Members’ Day 2025
4 AUGUST 2025
From economic shifts to generational change, BOSS Members’ Day 2025 brought together expert voices and industry leaders to explore the opportunities within transformation.
Taking place in London on Monday 21st July at Stationers’ Hall in London, senior delegates from BOSS member companies heard from Rebecca Harding an independent trade economist on why Uncertainty is the New Certainty and Cory Lowde, Educational Consultant, on How to understand the next generation entering the workplace.
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Liveryman Graham Thomas Interviews Liveryman Philip Womack for TheNeverVine
4 AUGUST 2025
Acclaimed author and Liveryman Philip Womack talks to TheNeverZine about his process, the business and developing his voice, book after book.
Newly minted Liveryman Philip Womack has been interviewed by TheNeverZine, a digital publication owned by fellow Liveryman Graham Thomas. The interview covers Philip’s successful writing career and gives valuable insight into the publishing world and also into his creative process.
Philip was approached by Graham at a recent Court dinner at the Hall for this interview. He is creative, independent and entrepreneurial in his drive and perseverance, displaying all the attributes that TheNeverZine seek out.
Follow the link to read Philip’s interview, and to read other fantastic articles on the zine
Article Link: https://zine.theneverpress.com/interview-philip-womack-author/
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GPMA Research Proves Print’s Strategic Role in UK PLC
4 AUGUST 2025
Earlier this year, the Graphic and Print Media Alliance (GPMA) launched a major national survey to uncover the true role that the UK’s print, paper, packaging, labelling, and graphics sectors play within the country’s industrial ecosystem.
The message was clear: while often operating behind the scenes, the print industry is far from peripheral. It is a strategic enabler of productivity, compliance, innovation and economic resilience across some of the UK’s most vital manufacturing and strategic sectors.
READ MOREJuly 2025
Highlands Partners with Grace & Green on B2B Growth
31 JULY 2025
London, England (31 July 2025) – Highlands is proud to announce its new partnership with Grace & Green, a certified B Corp and leading force in sustainable, ethical period care.
As part of this partnership, Highlands will support the brand’s growth across B2B channels in the UK and Ireland, with a wider remit to engage strategic partners throughout Europe.
Grace & Green offers a powerful, purpose-led proposition. Their award-winning products, including tampons, pads, and liners, are crafted with organic, toxin-free, and biodegradable materials. But the brand’s mission goes beyond product innovation. Grace & Green is committed to access, inclusivity, and education, working to dismantle the stigma and structural barriers surrounding period care.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Grace & Green to support their growth across B2B channels in the UK and EU,” said Janice Jenner, Head of B2B, Europe, Highlands. “They’re a truly exceptional brand, committed to access, inclusivity, and education, and challenging the stigma around essential care. As the highest-scoring B Corp in their category, Grace & Green leads the way in reducing the environmental impact of period products. With growing demand for sustainable solutions in the workplace, we see a real opportunity to bring their mission and products to more organisations.”
London, England (31 July 2025) – Highlands is proud to announce its new partnership with Grace & Green, a certified B Corp and leading force in sustainable, ethical period care.
As part of this partnership, Highlands will support the brand’s growth across B2B channels in the UK and Ireland, with a wider remit to engage strategic partners throughout Europe.
Grace & Green offers a powerful, purpose-led proposition. Their award-winning products, including tampons, pads, and liners, are crafted with organic, toxin-free, and biodegradable materials. But the brand’s mission goes beyond product innovation. Grace & Green is committed to access, inclusivity, and education, working to dismantle the stigma and structural barriers surrounding period care.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Grace & Green to support their growth across B2B channels in the UK and EU,” said Janice Jenner, Head of B2B, Europe, Highlands. “They’re a truly exceptional brand, committed to access, inclusivity, and education, and challenging the stigma around essential care. As the highest-scoring B Corp in their category, Grace & Green leads the way in reducing the environmental impact of period products. With growing demand for sustainable solutions in the workplace, we see a real opportunity to bring their mission and products to more organisations.”
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Applications open for the 2026 Stationers’ Company Warrants
30 JULY 2025
The Stationers’ Company announced today that it is now open for applications for new Warrants and 2025 Warrant renewals.
These Annual Warrants are formal recognition of the high quality that companies in the Communications, Print and Packaging, Office Products, and Content Industries put into their products and services, recognising, and acknowledging excellence, with the annual scheme now in its 11th year.
The scheme distinguishes itself by being open to everyone in the Communications, Print and Packaging, Office Products, and Content Industries sectors, both members and non-members of the Stationers’ Company.
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Pausing with a Poem – Magic in the Air - Freeman Claire Price writes about her new poetry book
28 JULY 2025
The poems in this book seek to capture moments of magic I have experienced, encouraging the reader to stop and ponder. They invite a pause in our hectic lives to remember that existence is not always defined by visibility, nor significance by permanence. An insight, a musing, a vibe, a natural phenomenon, a spiritual presence, a flash of mystery, divine timing – all are described in these poems.
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Updates from Leigh Stationers' Academy
25 JULY 2025
Updates from Leigh Stationers' Academy are now available on the Latest News page of the Academy's website.
https://leighstationersacademy.org.uk/latest-news-page-updates-friday-18-july-2025/
Two Sides Global Anti-Greenwash Campaign
22 JULY 2025
Two Sides Global Anti-Greenwash Campaign: Over 1,320 Organisations Removed Misleading Anti-Paper Statements
Two Sides has now challenged over 3,000 organisations worldwide found to be making misleading environmental claims about paper. As a result, more than 1,320 organisations have removed or amended unsubstantiated statements, such as “Go Green – Go Paperless” or “Choose e-billing and help save a tree.“
The rise in greenwashing is often driven by economic pressures, with many organisations shifting customers from paper-based communications to digital platforms to reduce their costs. Unfortunately, this transition is frequently accompanied by deceptive environmental messaging that misleads consumers into believing digital is a more sustainable option.
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