We’ve been trading files back and forth with the printer for OAR#7: Dark Tower, and will soon have some printer proofs to show you. Along the way, we have been finalizing details on what will be a first for Goodman Games. Speaking as the publisher, I’ve always disliked the joke “dead tree edition” because it hits a little too close to home. As much as I love books, I don’t like the fact that we have to chop down trees to make them. For some time we have been researching ways to make our production more ecologically friendly.
We’re pleased to announce that Dark Tower will be printed using vegetable-based inks on paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
What is the FSC? The Forest Stewardship Council is an organization that certifies products to follow sustainable harvesting methods, using more environmentally sound materials and methods. FSC-certified paper comes from monitored forests with no net loss of forest over time. The certification process requires biodiversity to be maintained, and high conservation-value areas (such as old growth forests) are protected. Indigenous peoples’ rights are respected, and fair wages and work environments for workers are required for the certification.
In addition, we are printing Dark Tower using vegetable-based inks. I am sure none of you would ever throw your books away (heaven forbid!), but if you did do so, the vegetable-based inks are non-toxic and won’t contaminate the water supply.
FSC paper costs more, but it’s a worthwhile cost that Goodman Games is willing to absorb. We’d like to print entirely on FSC-certified papers for all Goodman Games projects going forward, but that depends on a lot of logistics (not all printers keep FSC paper in stock) so we’ll continue to confirm project-by-project as we move forward, which you’ll be able to see on our Sustainability Update Page.
For you as a consumer, the book won’t feel any different. It’s still heavyweight, solid paper. You will notice the FSC logo on the back of the book. Look for that logo on all of your RPG books – we aren’t the only publisher to do this, but there could certainly be more participating!
