Publishers are exploring ways to reduce carbon emissions associated with book production. A typical paperback book generates around 1kg of carbon dioxide, equivalent to the electricity use of more than 150,000 homes for a year. To address this, some publishers are using subtly thinner paper, while others experiment with compact typefaces that require less ink and paper. Sustainable Typesetting, a project by design company 2K/DENMARK, achieves significant page count reductions by increasing the x-height of letters without enlarging all text. These efforts aim to make books slimmer, lighter, and more environmentally friendly.
BBQ: How can publishers balance cost savings and environmental impact when choosing paper thickness and typefaces for book production?
