Is In Print We Trust Fast Fashion? How Ethical & Sustainable is In Print We Trust

In Print We Trust is ethical, not fast fashion. Discover its slow production model, focus on quality craftsmanship, and commitment to timeless design.
Written by: 
Ash Read
Last updated: 

No, In Print We Trust is not a fast fashion brand. It operates on a slower, more deliberate production model focused on seasonal collections, quality craftsmanship, and timeless design rather than rapid trend replication.

The brand demonstrates an above-average commitment to ethical factory partnerships in Europe, though it lacks formal living wage commitments across its entire supply chain. From a sustainability perspective, it shows a strong dedication to using eco-friendly materials and reducing its environmental impact, positioning it as a responsible choice for consumers. Here’s a closer look at In Print We Trust's practices:

Why In Print We Trust Isn't Fast Fashion

In Print We Trust’s business model stands in direct contrast to the high-volume, trend-driven playbook of fast fashion giants.

  • Slower, Seasonal Production: The brand releases 3-4 seasonal collections per year, with a design-to-release timeline of 4-6 months. This slow, deliberate cycle is a far cry from the weekly new arrivals typical of fast fashion brands like Zara or Shein.
  • Prioritizing Quality and Longevity: With T-shirts priced around $35-50 and dresses at $80-120, the brand's pricing reflects higher quality, durable materials like organic cotton and Tencel. This focus on product longevity encourages customers to buy fewer, better items.
  • Original, Timeless Design: In Print We Trust emphasizes unique, art-inspired designs meant to last beyond a single season. This approach rejects the fast fashion practice of rapidly copying runway looks and fleeting social media trends.
  • Limited Production Volume: By producing in smaller batches with fewer than 1,000 SKUs annually, the brand avoids the massive overproduction and waste inherent in the fast fashion model.

Is In Print We Trust Ethical?

In Print We Trust demonstrates a strong and transparent commitment to ethical manufacturing, sourcing primarily from countries with robust labor protections.

Labor Practices

The majority of the brand's manufacturing occurs in Portugal, Italy, and Spain, where factories are vetted to ensure adherence to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reasonable hours. Factory partners in these regions pay workers above the legal minimum wage, with wages often meeting living wage benchmarks for the area.

Supply Chain Transparency

The brand enhances its credibility by publishing a list of its suppliers and their locations on its website. Its fabrics are OEKO-TEX certified, guaranteeing they meet safety standards and are free from harmful chemicals. In Print We Trust is also a Certified B Corporation, which legally requires it to consider the impact of its decisions on its workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.

Animal Welfare

In Print We Trust primarily uses plant-based materials like organic cotton and recycled synthetics. The brand does not use leather, fur, or exotic animal skins, and there is no evidence of animal testing in its supply chain, reflecting a commitment to cruelty-free practices.

Where In Print We Trust Falls Short Ethically

  • No Formal Living Wage Commitment: While its European suppliers pay fair wages, the brand lacks an official, company-wide policy guaranteeing a living wage for all workers across its entire supply chain.
  • Limited Third-Party Audits: Although the company mentions periodic audits, making detailed results from third-party social audits more accessible to the public would further strengthen its transparency claims.

Is In Print We Trust Sustainable?

In Print We Trust has built sustainability into its core operations, from its material choices to its end-of-life solutions.

Materials & Sourcing

Approximately 70% of the brand's materials are from sustainable sources, including GOTS-certified organic cotton, Tencel Lyocell, and recycled polyester certified by the Global Recycled Standard (GRS). The brand is actively working to reduce its use of conventional synthetics, which currently stands at about 20%.

Environmental Impact

In Print We Trust works with facilities that use closed-loop water systems and wastewater treatment to minimize pollution. The brand has committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 30% over the next five years and is working towards its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. As a member of the Fashion Pact, it has joined other leading brands in shared climate objectives.

Circularity & Waste

By producing in small batches, the brand avoids significant overstock and waste. It also offers a repair service and a take-back program for recycling old garments, though these programs are still in the early stages of adoption. All packaging is made from recycled and biodegradable materials, successfully moving toward eliminating single-use plastics.

Where In Print We Trust Falls Short on Sustainability

  • Incomplete Emissions Data: While the company has set clear reduction goals, it does not yet publish comprehensive data on its total carbon footprint, making it difficult to fully verify its progress.
  • Underutilized Circular Programs: The take-back and repair initiatives have low customer participation rates at present, indicating more work is needed to make these circular solutions a core and effective part of its business model.

Our Verdict: In Print We Trust's Ethical & Sustainability Grades

In Print We Trust is a responsible brand that successfully distances itself from the fast fashion industry. Its commitments place it well above the industry average, although there is still a clear path for improvement to become a top-tier leader in ethical and sustainable fashion.

Ethical Practices: B

The brand earns a B for its dedication to transparent, European-based manufacturing and adherence to high labor standards in its main production hubs. Being a Certified B Corporation provides a strong foundation of accountability. The grade is held back by the lack of a formal living wage guarantee across every tier of its supply chain, a critical step for earning top marks.

Sustainability: B+

IPWT receives a B+ for its strong focus on sustainable materials (70% of its collections), clear climate goals, and responsible production processes like OEKO-TEX certification. Its commitment to progress is validated by its B Corp status and membership in the Fashion Pact. To reach an A-grade, it needs to provide comprehensive public data on its carbon footprint and significantly scale its circularity programs.

Ethical & Sustainable Alternatives to In Print We Trust

For shoppers seeking brands that have already achieved top-tier A ratings for both ethics and sustainability, these companies set the industry standard for what's possible in responsible fashion.

People Tree

A true pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree is Certified Fair Trade and uses nearly 100% GOTS-certified organic and sustainable materials. The brand guarantees living wages and is deeply involved in community development projects with its artisan partners in the developing world.

Shop now at www.peopletree.co.uk

Patagonia

As a certified B Corp and 1% for the Planet member, Patagonia is an undisputed leader in environmental and social responsibility. It uses a high percentage of recycled materials, has robust Fair Trade Certified production lines, and offers an Ironclad Guarantee to repair its products for life.

Shop now at www.patagonia.com

Kowtow

Kowtow offers modern minimalist designs made exclusively from 100% organic, Fair Trade cotton. The brand maintains a transparent supply chain from seed to garment, ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions at its ethical factories in India and Sri Lanka.

Shop now at kowtowclothing.com

Veja

Veja creates stylish sneakers grounded in ethical and ecological principles. The brand uses innovative materials like organic cotton, wild Amazonian rubber, and recycled plastic bottles, all sourced and produced under Fair Trade standards in Brazil and France.

Shop now at www.veja-store.com

Eileen Fisher

Eileen Fisher is a champion of timeless design, circularity, and sustainability, using materials like organic linen, silk, and recycled fibers. The B Corp certified company has a well-established take-back program called "Renew" that resells or remakes worn garments, moving powerfully toward a zero-waste goal.

Shop now at www.eileenfisher.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Is In Print We Trust a B Corp?

Yes, In Print We Trust is a Certified B Corporation. This certification legally requires the company to balance profit with purpose, holding it to high standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability.

Where are In Print We Trust's clothes made?

The brand's products are primarily manufactured in ethical factories and small artisan workshops in European countries with strong labor laws, including Portugal, Italy, and Spain. They provide a transparent list of their factory partners on their website.

Does In Print We Trust pay a living wage?

While the brand partners with European factories where wages are well above the global minimum and align with regional living wage benchmarks, it does not currently have a formal, company-wide commitment to paying a verified living wage across its entire tiered supply chain.