Sustainability
Responsible for a Green Future
In 2002, Spreadshirt entered the e-commerce business with big dreams. Since then, we've been helping people share their individual messages with the world—on products that are printed just for them, on-demand, and in a resource-efficient way. What started as a startup is now part of the Spread Group, a global company with over 1,000 employees.
As a rapidly growing company with its own production facilities, we are aware of our increasing responsibility for the planet and the people. We want to transform our business with higher standards, making a positive and sustainable impact. Our Corporate Social Responsibility Report details how we live sustainability.
We carry the responsibility for tomorrow.
Responsibility is a measurable value. It includes respect for our planet as well as for people and builds on sustainable business relationships. Our responsibility also involves questioning our own actions. We aim to create a balance between the growth of our online business and its impact on the environment.
OUR PLANET
No Overproduction Thanks to Print-on-Demand
Our business model is called “Print-on-Demand.” Unlike traditional manufacturers, we only print what customers have selected or designed themselves—only when they order it. We also produce only the desired quantity—whether it’s a single item or a large order. Since the founding of Spreadshirt over 20 years ago, sustainable production and business practices have been part of our company's DNA. This benefits not only us and our planet but also our customers, who return less than two percent of our products. This makes us an industry leader. Even the returns are given a second life through donations and recycling.
Investing in Sustainable & Ecological Production
We regularly invest in modern, more eco-friendly technologies and products. Most recently, we invested €10 million to upgrade to modern Kornit Atlas printers. In our standard printing method, digital direct-to-garment printing, we use sustainable inks, vegan color pigments, and a particularly water- and energy-efficient printing process. Since 2019, we have not used any paper at all in the order processing in our production facilities—saving the equivalent of 767 trees per year.
Our Own Green Product Line
Whether it's a T-shirt or a hoodie—we love sustainable products. That's why we are gradually expanding our range with many products made from ecological materials. The products in our own, multi-certified premium collection are made from organic and environmentally friendly fabrics, and other organic brands are already represented in our range. By the end of 2022, we aim to at least double the number of our green products. In this way, we will offer our customers a sustainable alternative in nearly every product category. We are also working on making the origin, materials, and certifications of our products more transparent.
Durable Products & Prints
Products made from high-quality fabrics and materials last particularly long—and are therefore particularly sustainable. Each product is thoroughly tested before we add it to our range. We test the durability of fabrics and prints through a series of test prints and multiple washing cycles. After printing, we test for potential chemical residues, color brilliance of the print, and precise workmanship. Even with products that have been in our range for a while, we regularly check customer feedback to ensure consistent product quality.
Renewable Energy
The transition to renewable energy is a simple but important step in the right direction. Since 2020, we have been covering the energy needs of our servers in the EU and our Leipzig headquarters entirely with green electricity. We plan to do the same for our locations in the USA.
Certifications and Seals
Stanley & Stella
The trendy label Stanley & Stella is more than just a producer of eco-friendly clothing. Stanley & Stella combines absolute wearability with a touch of rock'n'roll and a deep green conscience. From the organic cotton farmer to the clothing manufacturer, the brand only selects partners whose sustainable and environmentally conscious actions, as well as respectful treatment of their employees, it has personally verified.
Certifications and seals: Öko-Tex® Standard 100, FWF
Memberships: FWF
www.stanleystella.com
For more information on sustainability at Spread Group, visit: