Using FSC® on packaging (FSC packaging logo guide)

By working with an FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) certified packaging manufacturer (such as GWP), it allows you to add the relevant FSC packaging logos to your boxes, wraps, inserts and more.

And using FSC on packaging has a number of benefits – everything from showing your business’ green credentials, helping the environment, and attracting new customers.

But how do you use the FSC packaging logos? And maximise their effectiveness?

Well, this guide aims to set out the following:

• Where and how you can use FSC on packaging (and other media)
• What info must be included with FSC packaging logos
• The different logo formats, colours etc.
• How to correctly add logos / trademarks associated with FSC on packaging
• Key points to watch out for

Please continue reading for below to see how you can add FSC branding to your certified packaging.

There are a number of compelling reasons to use the logos and trademarks associated with FSC on corrugated packaging that your business uses.

It highlights how your business is looking to be sustainable. It can enhance your CSR / Corporate Social responsibility credentials (FSC provides support for small holders and indigenous people). And ultimately, it shows that your business is taking its environmental responsibilities seriously.

This directly translates into consumer confidence in your brand and business, helping both sales and customer loyalty.

If you are still not convinced, then please read this article on why your business should use FSC cardboard boxes.

So where and how can your business use FSC logos and branding?

Well, if you have specifically requested FSC certified packaging from GWP, then it allows you to use the logos and trademarks in the following ways

• Printed directly onto your packaging
• Printed onto labels which can then be affixed to your packaging

This latter option can be particularly useful if you already have printing plates, and do not wish to purchase new ones for adding the logo during your print runs.

Please note however that whichever method you choose from above, the guidelines set out on the rest of this page (and in the full branding guideline documents) must be adhered to.

The artwork must also be approved by the FSC before your transit, postal or ecommerce boxes can be printed with FSC logos / trademarks / details.

GWP will be happy to assist with all stages of this process.

Choosing to use FSC packaging supplied by GWP also allows you to apply for a promotional license directly with the Forest Stewardship Council.

This license allows you to use all of the FSC trademarks to communicate your use of FSC-certified packaging (and, in turn, your commitment to responsible forestry).

This would then allow you to use the FSC logo on not only your packaging, but also:

• Website
• Blog / news articles
• Social media posts
• Printed brochures / flyers
• Advertisements
• Press releases

Please note that there is a fee associated with the FSC promotional license, and that all logo / trademark use must be approved by FSC prior to publication.

Please speak with a member of the team here at GWP for further information, or alternatively you can read more regarding the promotional license at fsc.org/en/promote-with-fsc

Before getting started, it is important to recognise the different elements of the FSC logo that will be used on your packaging, alongside the various options / elements.

As such, the below image and accompanying notes detail the information, trademarks, and icons that you will see on certified packaging supplied by GWP. Please note that items highlighted in grey are not compulsory.

As detailed above, not all of the elements on the full logo are compulsory. This can allow for less information to be displayed if required (for example if space is limited, resulting in a smaller and / or more legible label).

The below diagram highlights the differences between the FSC logo containing all elements, and the FSC logo containing only the compulsory elements.

As mentioned above, there are 3 different types of logo that can be used, dependent on the composition of the material being used to manufacture your packaging.

Whilst for GWP customers the “MIX” logo will almost always be used, your sales or account manager will advise on the most suitable option for your applications.

After deciding on the relevant information to include on your label, you are then able to select from 2 different the formats of FSC logo (with both landscape and portrait versions available).

There are also what are known as solid or outline versions of both formats. These can be seen in the illustrations below.

Please also refer to the later section regarding acceptable colours for the FSC logo when creating artwork for your packaging.

Having selected an appropriate logo format that incorporates the correct and relevant information, the next step is to add the FSC branding to your packaging.

As such, the following section outlines the most important points to consider and adhere to when creating packaging artwork that features FSC packaging logos.

Before getting started, please ask your account manager or sales contact for the relevant box layout(s) to allow you or your design team / agency to create the artwork.

Please also do not hesitate to get in touch should you have any difficulties in creating the necessary artwork files.

Please also note that whilst this section covers the most important points to consider, it is not exhaustive. The full FSC branding guidelines / documentation can be downloaded here for your reference / further reading.

Even if not using a logo, any text or strapline(s) that references the FSC and / or Forest Stewardship Council, must include the appropriate trademarks (e.g. a statement that says “This packaging is manufactured using FSC certified material”).

As such, the ® symbol must be used on the first or most prominent use of the initials FSC and Forest Stewardship Council when on your packaging / boxes. For example:

Please note that all logos supplied by GWP for artwork purposes will include the correct trademarks as standard.

The following diagrams highlight both the minimum accepted and minimum recommended sizes for the 2 different logo formats.

When placing logos relating to FSC on packaging artwork, you must incorporate the specified exclusion zones.

This is effectively the height of the FSC text, which must be included around all 4 sides of the logo.

Please see the below diagram(s) for further illustration.

The following images show the acceptable colours / formats that can be used on Kraft (i.e. brown) corrugated material.

Please note that custom colours are only permitted where you are using a single or two-colour print on your packaging.

For example, if your boxes are printed in a single colour with your brand logo in Pantone 256C, you can also print the FSC logo in this colour.

If printing the FSC logo in a nonstandard colour, then there is still the requirement for the logo to remain clear and legible.

The following show the acceptable colours / formats that can be used on White / Test corrugated material

Please note that custom colours are only permitted where you are using a single or two-colour print on your packaging.

As with the previous example, if your boxes are printed in a specific Pantone (i.e. to match your corporate identity) you can also print the FSC logo in this colour. The logo must remain clear and legible.

For full colour jobs (e.g. litho laminated print), the logo should be printed in the correct green (Pantone 626C), white or black.

If your packaging features an all over print / pattern, then it is still possible to use the FSC logo. The following diagrams highlight the correct method for doing this:

It is possible to use nonstandard colours for the logo if not using full colour print. Please note however that the guidance regarding correct colour usage, legibility and exclusion zones must still be adhered to.

For full colour jobs (e.g. litho laminated print), the logo should be printed in the correct Green (Pantone 626C), white or black.

Please do not alter the supplied FSC packaging logos when creating your artwork. Common examples of what cannot be done are included below.

It is also important that you do not use the FSC trademarks together with the marks of other forest certification schemes, implying equivalence or in a way which is disadvantageous to the FSC trademarks in terms of size or placement.

You must also not use logo in mis-leading way – for example in close proximity to or in combination with other branding or text / claims.

Once you have created your artwork, it must be formally approved by the FSC (even if following the guidelines to the letter). Approvals will be checked during GWP’s annual FSC audit, to ensure correct use of all FSC trademarks.

Therefore, the following steps provide an outline of the whole artwork creation / approvals process when adding FSC logos to your corrugated packaging:

• Firstly, request that all of your packaging is using FSC certified material (if it is not already)
• Discuss your requirements (and what is possible) regarding use of the FSC logo on your packaging
• Advise on the format / style you would like the FSC logo to take (landscape / portrait) and what elements to include
• GWP will supply the logo(s) in vector format (PDF, EPS etc.), alongside any box / cutter guides for creation of your artwork
• The logos can be used by your design agency or in-house artwork team to incorporate the FSC logos onto your box(es), following the guidelines highlighted above*.
• Once the artwork has been created, please email full size PDFs to your account manager, or marketing@gwp.co.uk
• GWP will gain necessary approval from FSC

Your boxes can now be printed with the FSC logos included!

* Please speak with your account manager if you have trouble / no means of creating artwork

Besides this document, you may find the following guidelines useful when creating your artwork:

Full FSC Branding Guidelines

FSC Trademark Quick Guide

FSC Website