The initiative has been sparked by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine that continues to cause horror for those watching events unfold from afar.
Print Against War, a not for profit initiative of the Meaningful Print Foundation, is bringing printers, converters, publishers, influencers, and suppliers in the printing and packaging industries together to help support colleagues impacted by the war.
In addition to supporting those impacted by the conflict in Ukraine, the initiative says it seeks to help “restore the socioeconomic fabric of printing in any region affected by war”.
The idea behind the initiative is to provide support to print and packaging companies to help them to continue to operate, or to help them when they are able to start up productions again.
Beyond the war in Ukraine, Print Against War and the Meaningful Print Foundation will work to help print and packaging companies tackle natural disasters, epidemics and pandemics, and other disruptions”
Beyond the war in Ukraine, Print Against War and the Meaningful Print Foundation will work to help print and packaging companies tackle natural disasters, epidemics and pandemics, and other disruptions.
In addition to this, the organisation will also work to address issues such as gender equality, carbon neutralisation, sustainable manufacturing, and education.
This mission will be implemented through a donation format where vendors, printers and others within the community can add a voluntary checkout donation option to their online shops. This will enable the industry to rally together to raise funds that can be used to support others in the industry where needed.
As well as donation collecting, Print Against War is working to bridge the gap between printers in the European Union and in Ukraine to enable the latter to find jobs and continue to trade.
Print Against War is the first global outreach and support project to a regional printing and packaging market in need. We count it as just the first that the Meaningful Print Foundation will be able to coordinate in the future”
Lorenzo Villa, co-founder of the Meaningful Print Foundation, says: “Beyond the humanitarian efforts that individuals, families, and businesses are making to support the Ukrainian population and refugees, we believe that an industry-wide response is essential.
“Print Against War is the first global outreach and support project to a regional printing and packaging market in need. We count it as just the first that the Meaningful Print Foundation will be able to coordinate in the future.”
US-based printing industry media organisation, WhatTheyThink, adds: “We stand in solidarity with those who are trying to fight this kind of war and oppression, and we stand for democratic values.
“Free speech, communication, and print have always been a huge part of that.”
Industry members wanting to support the initiative can do so here: https://printagainstwar.org/join-print-against-war
If you have any news, please email carys@linkpublishing.co.uk or join in on the conversation on Twitter and LinkedIn.