Corporate Social Responsibility

at Symbiosis Printing, LLC

At Symbiosis Printing, LLC, we believe that print and graphic design are powerful tools for community expression, artistic storytelling, and local commerce. Operating as a family-owned printshop in Portland, Oregon, we recognize that our choices leave a lasting mark on our beautiful Pacific Northwest environment. With that power comes the responsibility to use our manufacturing platform to foster a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world. This commitment guides us everyday as we serve our community of artists, entrepreneurs, local small businesses, and non-profits.

We have set the following aspirations and goals:

🌍 Environmental Stewardship & Responsible Production

  • Maintain rigorous FSC Certification standards, ensuring our print papers are sourced exclusively from responsibly managed forests that prioritize ecological and economic health.

  • Utilize energy-efficient, dry-toner Canon printing technology over high-processing-waste wet inks, maintaining a cleaner, low-waste manufacturing footprint.

  • Reduce paper and material waste across Portland by providing precise image correction, color matching, and digital layout guidance to our independent creators.

  • Minimize regional transit footprints by promoting virtual consultations and digital proofing options whenever in-shop paper inspections are not required.

🎨 Creative Mentorship & Community Investment

  • Provide pro bono mentorship on design and business strategy to local independent artists, empowering them to transition their creative work into stable, self-sustaining businesses.

  • Commit at least 10 percent of pro bono printing and production services to regional non-profits and community organizations working for racial, immigration, and gender justice.

  • Cultivate an inclusive marketplace as a recognized Autism Friendly Business, ensuring a welcoming, supportive, and accessible service environment for all creatives.

  • Support our regional workforce by paying a living wage to all local employees and suppliers.

🤝 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

  • Center historically excluded voices by highlighting the unique portfolios and diverse stories of local creators across our digital platforms and artist spotlights.

  • Advocate for representation by advising small businesses and artists on how to integrate accessible, inclusive visual design into their promotional materials and campaigns.

  • Advance our own anti-racism education continuously at every level of our company.

  • Prioritize minority-owned vendors and creators of color when expanding our supply-chain logistics and material partnerships.

  • We will actively seek to hire individuals from historically marginalized backgrounds and communities of color as our print production team expands.