The debate, moderated by Clare Taylor, principal at Clare Taylor Consulting, discussed whether print is in conflict with environmental objectives.

Participants said a good environmental business attitude can drive the industry and provide companies with a greater chance of success.

Taylor explained that legislation and consumers were driving print to become more sustainable.

People are becoming more aware of environmental credentials. Customers are also getting very smart about printing. They want to print on sustainable paper, or become smarter about using recycled paper. Everyone is being challenged by their customers, she said.

The debate also covered topics such as global warming and landfill, with opinion sharply divided on whether a business can prioritise CO2 emissions in the current economic climate.

Many in the panel agreed that there is scepticism over the process of carbon offsetting, although they said that businesses should not be put off reducing their carbon footprint.

Elsewhere, as part of the TPE Master Classes, Vision in Print chief executive Richard Gray gave a seminar on the benefits of implementing a lean working environment.

He said: It can be very difficult to implement lean manufacturing.

The main principle is to understand how to create value from a customer perspective and that the product needs to flow continuously.

Gray used Oxuniprint, the commercial printing division of Oxford University Press, as an example. The company had a £2m turnover in 2005 and set the goal of doubling that over the next five years.

Oxuniprint overcame a major bottleneck in customer service capacity. In December 2006, after the company had improved its performance on the shop floor and in the office, Gray said turnover had increased by 30% on the same period a year earlier.

Gray said: It doesn’t need huge resources. It can be done relatively simply.