New integration helps print businesses calculate product carbon footprints directly within their existing Pace MIS workflow.
CarbonQuota is pleased to announce the integration of its carbon footprint calculator with Pace, part of the CAI (formerly Graphic Communications) suite. The integration gives Pace users a practical way to calculate product carbon footprints from the job data already held in their MIS, helping print businesses respond faster to growing customer demand for credible carbon data.
For many printers, product carbon footprinting has moved from a “nice to have” to a regular customer requirement. Brands, retailers and corporate buyers increasingly want to understand the environmental impact of the products and services they purchase. That includes the print, packaging, point-of-sale, direct mail and marketing materials that sit within their supply chains.
The challenge for print businesses is not only whether they can provide carbon data, but whether they can provide it quickly, consistently and at scale. Manual calculations, spreadsheets and standalone tools can create unnecessary administrative pressure. They often rely on duplicated data entry, specialist knowledge or separate processes outside the estimating and production workflow. This can make carbon reporting slow, inconsistent and difficult to repeat across multiple jobs, customers and sites.
The challenge for print businesses is not only whether they can provide carbon data, but whether they can provide it quickly, consistently and at scale.
The CarbonQuota integration with Pace is designed to remove that friction.
By connecting CarbonQuota’s science-based carbon calculation capability with Pace MIS, product carbon footprint data can be generated using the operational information already captured during the estimating process. This includes key details such as materials, production processes, transport and end-of-life assumptions.
The result is a product-specific carbon footprint that can be returned directly into the existing workflow, helping teams make carbon data part of day-to-day commercial and operational decision-making.
Making carbon data part of the estimating process
One of the most valuable aspects of the Pace integration is the ability to bring carbon data into the conversation earlier.
Rather than treating carbon information as a separate reporting task after the job has been specified, the integration enables print businesses to calculate product carbon footprint data at estimate stage. This helps commercial, estimating and customer service teams respond more confidently when customers ask about sustainability performance.
It also creates an opportunity to move beyond reactive reporting.
By making carbon data available earlier, printers can help customers understand the impact of different specifications, materials, production choices and logistics options. That gives both the printer and the customer a stronger basis for informed decision-making.
For customers under pressure to report on supply chain emissions, this type of product-level data is becoming increasingly valuable. For printers, it can support tender responses, strengthen sustainability-led customer conversations and create a clear point of differentiation in a competitive market.
Designed for efficiency, accuracy and scale
CarbonQuota’s integration with Graphic Communications platforms has been developed to support the way print businesses already work.
The aim is simple: reduce manual effort while improving the availability and consistency of product carbon footprint data.
Instead of asking teams to rekey job information into a separate tool, the integration uses data already held in the MIS. This helps reduce the risk of manual error, saves time and makes carbon calculation more scalable across higher job volumes.
For Pace users, this means product carbon footprinting can become a practical extension of the estimating and reporting process, rather than an additional administrative burden.
The integration is particularly relevant for print businesses that are already receiving more requests for product-level environmental data from brand customers, agencies, procurement teams and sustainability contacts. It also supports businesses that want to use carbon data more proactively, whether by displaying it on estimates, using it in customer reports or building lower-carbon options into commercial discussions.
Case Study: Acorn Web Offset
The value of integrated carbon calculations is already being demonstrated through CarbonQuota’s work with Acorn Web Offset, a Graphic Communications Technique user.
Acorn had been producing carbon calculations for customers for several years, but as demand increased, the process became harder to scale. Each calculation could take up to an hour to complete, creating additional administration for the team.
By implementing CarbonQuota’s automated calculator through its MIS workflow, Acorn was able to significantly reduce manual calculation time and bring carbon data into outgoing estimates. This means product carbon information can be presented earlier in customer conversations and used more consistently across the business.
The Acorn case study highlights an important point for the wider print industry: automation is not just about saving time. It changes how carbon data can be used commercially.
When carbon calculations are slow and manual, they are often reserved for specific requests. When they are automated and embedded in the workflow, they can become part of every relevant customer conversation.
That shift helps printers move from answering sustainability questions after the fact to using carbon data as a practical tool for customer engagement, specification comparison and value-added service delivery.
The Acorn case study highlights an important point for the wider print industry: automation is not just about saving time. It changes how carbon data can be used commercially.
Helping printers meet changing customer expectations
Customer expectations around sustainability data are increasing. More organisations are setting climate targets, improving Scope 3 reporting and asking suppliers to provide more detailed evidence about product and supply chain impact.
For print businesses, this creates both pressure and opportunity. Those that can provide credible, product-level carbon data quickly are better placed to support customer reporting requirements, strengthen trust and differentiate their service. Those relying on slow manual processes may find it harder to keep pace with demand, especially as carbon data becomes a more common part of procurement and tender conversations.
The Pace x CarbonQuota integration gives printers a clearer route forward. It helps turn existing job data into useful carbon intelligence, supports more informed customer conversations and reduces the operational burden associated with manual carbon calculations.
Book a demo to learn how CarbonQuota can help your business calculate product carbon footprints directly within your Pace workflow.
