Printful aims to make on-demand manufacturing the norm for a planet with finite resources and people with infinite ideas. I know that’s ambitious, so we’re taking it one step at a time to become more responsible and transparent.
We want our values to support our partnerships, so we’ve developed our Code of Conduct to communicate that.
To make the Code of Conduct specific to our business and universally relevant, we’ve aligned our company values with the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles. In short, Printful’s values aim to improve production sustainability, support employees and communities, help combat climate change, and encourage ethical working standards.
At Printful, we look to work with partners that share these values and commit to being guided by our Code of Conduct.
We’ll keep taking conscious steps toward more responsible business practices, from improved labor conditions to pollution prevention. I hope that our partners will join us in our efforts and that together we can work toward a more responsible and transparent supply chain.
Alex Saltonstall, CEO of Printful
Printful standards
Printful, Inc., together with its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Printful”), strives to conduct its business following high ethical and business standards and expects its partners to conduct themselves in the same manner. Printful has long recognized concerns about the quality and character of working conditions worldwide. We’re continually improving the working environment for those involved in the services we provide our customers with. Printful strongly supports and endorses multi-industry efforts to enhance working conditions.
Working together
Printful wants its customers to be confident that the services provided and products manufactured by Printful or its vendors, suppliers, and licensees (“Partners”) are in accordance with the principles set forth herein and aren’t made under inhumane or exploitative conditions. Implementation of the Code of Conduct (“the Code”) enables Printful to ensure that Partners understand and commit to Printful’s principles and requirements that are based on internationally recognized principles outlined in the United Nations Global Compact (“Principles”), as well as to local regulations and legal practices.
By accepting business from Printful, Partners acknowledge their agreement and intention to comply with the requirements and standards set forth by this Code.
Printful reserves the right to review the content of the Code on an ongoing basis.
Code of Conduct
Non-discrimination and equal opportunities
Human rights are universal and belong to everyone equally regardless of, but not limited to: age, sex, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, culture, nationality, citizenship, language, religion, ideology, marital status, economic or social condition, type of occupation, degree of education, disability, pregnancy, and/or political or philosophical affiliation.
All employees shall be treated with dignity and respect. No employee shall be subject to abuse, cruel or unusual disciplinary practices, discrimination in employment, or hiring based on race, religion, origin, political affiliation, union membership, sexual preference, age, gender, or pregnancy.
Forced labor
The use of forced, bonded, prison, indentured, or compulsory labor in the production or manufacture of Printful products is prohibited. This includes modern forms of slavery, human trafficking, or withholding personal papers, work permits, personal identification, or compensation. It’s prohibited for factories to allow or require workers to pay employer, labor agent recruitment, or other fees for obtaining their employment. Workers shall not be subject to unreasonable restrictions of movement.
Child labor
The use of child labor is prohibited. No person shall be employed at an age which is below the applicable minimum legal age in the respective country Partners conduct their operations in.
Wages and benefits
Partners must comply with all applicable national and local wage laws, including minimum and overtime wage laws, or shall be consistent with the prevailing industry wage standards if they’re higher. Wages must be paid in a timely manner and wage deductions shall not be used as a disciplinary measure. Employee benefits shall be provided in accordance with national and local requirements.
Working hours
A workweek shall be restricted to 60 hours, including overtime, and workers shall have at least one day off every seven days, except in unusual or emergency situations. Forced overtime is not admissible.
Health and safety
Partners shall ensure that all employees have a healthy and safe environment (with access to clean drinking water and sanitary facilities) both in the workspace and in dormitories, where provided. Printful expects all Partners to educate their employees and promote awareness of health and safety, including issues surrounding fire prevention, emergency evacuation, proper use of safety equipment, basic first-aid, and the proper use and disposal of hazardous waste materials. Partners must provide reasonable accommodation to pregnant/nursing women to ensure a healthy and safe environment.
Employee development
Partners shall ensure equal opportunities, freedom of association, and encourage each individual’s development, without unlawful interference, discrimination, retaliation, or harassment.
Anti-corruption
Partners must not conduct business in an unethical and inappropriate manner, use bribes, kickbacks, or provide gifts, favors, or services to gain a competitive advantage with Printful.
Printful recognizes that corruption, including extortion, facilitation payments, and bribery, is considered generally acceptable and even favored in some countries to secure a firm and continue running its business. However, Partners and their subcontractors must strive toward a business where corruption is eliminated—hence, no bribery, improper/lavish gifts, or the like can be offered or accepted.
Compliance with sanctions, export controls, and other applicable laws
Partners will comply with the national laws of the country in which they’re conducting business, as well as local laws, regulations, or standards applicable to their business and the industry standards which have been established in their location. That includes compliance with all applicable laws, statutes, regulations, and codes relating to customs, export control, antiboycott, and economic and financial sanctions laws and regulations, including economic and financial sanctions and trade embargoes imposed, administered, or enforced from time to time by relevant governmental authorities (“Sanctions”). Partners shall not be organized in or otherwise operate from countries or territories that are the target of Sanctions, and they shall not directly or indirectly export, re-export, or otherwise transfer any products, technology, or software furnished by Printful to any person, use, or location in violation of Sanctions. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of any of the preceding laws, regulations, or standards, and the provisions of this document, the provision containing the higher standards shall prevail.
Printful maintains a commitment to sound environmental programs and practices and encourages to reduce and recycle waste. Partners should have a precautionary action plan or an environmental management system in place to minimize the environmental impact of their operations.
Partners must comply with all applicable laws relating to the environment and dispose of hazardous and/or toxic materials in a controlled and safe manner. To that end, Printful seeks to conduct business with Partners that are equally dedicated to pursuing continuous efforts to improve the compatibility of its operations with the environment.
Partners will strive to:
- Implement clean technologies
Partners will try to recycle water and heat as well as implement water-saving equipment. To improve water recycling and saving practices, Partners will combine production processing steps when possible, apply clean manufacturing processes and rinsing steps, as well as adapt low-temperature processes to production whenever possible.
For example, the above-mentioned practices can be achieved by upgrading existing machinery or switching to new machinery with lower energy and water consumption and biotechnology, which ensures low temperature and combined processing.
- Use environmentally friendly auxiliaries
Partners will work toward lowering their environmental impact and being more efficient in production, including increasing throughput, shortening processing time, and thereby lowering volumes of auxiliaries with high impact.
Furthermore, Partners will lower their toxicity in the atmospheric and aquatic environment and work with readily degradable materials in effluent treatment plants. For example, Partners can lower their environmental impact by using environmentally friendly chemicals and biotechnological solutions like enzymes.
- Use renewable energy sources
Partners will gradually work toward moving away from fuels with high CO2 emissions and switching to fuels with low CO2 emissions.
Environmental permits and reporting
All required environmental permits (e.g. discharge monitoring) and registrations are to be obtained, maintained, and kept current, and their operational and reporting requirements are to be followed.
Pollution prevention and resource reduction
Waste of all types, including water and energy, are to be reduced or eliminated at the source or by practices such as modifying production, maintenance and facility processes, material substitution, conservation, recycling, and reusing materials. Partners should strive to substitute harsh and environmentally polluting chemicals with less impacting chemicals or enzymes.
Hazardous substances
Chemicals and other materials posing a hazard, if released into the environment, shall be identified and managed to ensure their safe handling, movement, storage, recycling or reuse, and correct disposal.
Wastewater and solid waste
Wastewater and solid waste generated from operations, industrial processes, and sanitation facilities are to be monitored, controlled, and treated as required per national law prior to discharge or disposal. Any discharge or disposal must take place with the national requirements regarding environment preservation.
Air and carbon emissions
Air emissions of volatile organic chemicals, aerosols, corrosives, particulates, ozone-depleting chemicals, and combustion by-products generated from operations are to be characterized, monitored, controlled, and treated as required per national law prior to discharge.
Product content restrictions
Partners are to adhere to all applicable laws and regulations regarding the prohibition or restriction of specific substances, including labeling laws and regulations for recycling and disposal. Partners must also follow processes to comply with each agreed-upon, customer-specific, restricted, and hazardous material list. Any delivered goods must comply with the international standards as to chemical contents. It’s expected that our Partners request the same standards from their own suppliers.
Partners undertake to establish and maintain appropriate procedures to evaluate and select suppliers and subcontractors based on their commitments to social and environmental accountability.
Printful expects all Partners to establish management systems designed with appropriate operational controls to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and the Code. Should Partners have any difficulty to adhere to Printful’s principles, local regulations, or legal practices, or identify any breaches, they must immediately reach out to their main contact person at Printful or report breaches anonymously via email:
Partners’ employees can report work-related concerns anonymously and without fear of retaliation by emailing:
Partners agree to continuously seek ways to further advance in the areas of sustainability and ensure favorable living and working conditions for their employees.
Printful shall have the right to assess its supply chain and ask Partners to complete self-assessment questionnaires to evaluate Partner’s compliance with the Code. If deemed applicable, Printful may also conduct periodic on-site visits to check working and living conditions, including unannounced audits, either directly or through third parties, as well as audit the records and practices of wage, hour, and payroll information maintained by Partners, and to review their compliance with the Principles.
Printful will endeavor to work with Partners to promptly address any issues discovered in the course of a review or audit. Printful may require the implementation of a written corrective action plan for any potential issues identified during a review or audit. Failure to address items in the corrective action plan or a violation of the Principles may result in the termination of the business relationship.