SUSTAINABILITY & ETHICS POLICY

Page Updated (effective date): 7 October 2026

Operated by Steven Patrick Sim t/a The Tartan Artisan®

Governing Law: Scotland | Framework: UK Environmental & Consumer Legislation

1. Purpose of This Policy

At The Tartan Artisan®, sustainability informs decisions — from the sourcing of tartan cloth to the fine-art papers used for limited editions.
This policy explains our approach to responsible materials, ethical working relationships, and reducing avoidable waste in creative, manufacturing, and fulfilment processes.

2. Our Guiding Principles

We believe that true craftsmanship honours both people and planet.
Our core principles are:

Integrity: Create responsibly and honestly.
Respect: Value the human and environmental story behind each piece.
Transparency: Communicate openly about materials, partners, and processes.
Longevity: Make products that last, reducing the need for replacement and waste.

These values guide the work of The Tartan Artisan® and our relationships with theprintspace, Contrado Imaging Ltd, Lochcarron of Scotland, Marton Mills, and Glenisla Kilts. Their products, production methods, and published environmental commitments differ; a statement about one partner does not automatically apply to every partner or product.

3. Environmental Commitments

a. Low-Waste Production

We produce in small batches or on demand, minimising surplus and landfill waste.
Fabric remnants from kilt production are repurposed or donated where possible.
Fine-art editions are produced in small batches or to order, according to the product and available stock. We aim to limit avoidable surplus while keeping suitable stock ready for customers.

b. Sustainable Materials

Fine-art papers are selected for the requirements of each edition. The Burnished Gold Editions — Black Onyx, Pewter, and Pearl are printed in my Arbroath studio on Hahnemühle Photo Rag® Metallic, 340 gsm, 100% cotton, using Epson pigment inks. Hahnemühle describes this paper as acid-free and suitable for archival-quality fine-art printing. FSC® or other certification is stated only where it applies to the particular material; it is not a claim about every paper or product.
Kilts and accessories are tailored from wool woven by trusted mills — including Lochcarron of Scotland for The Angels’ Share® collection and Marton Mills in England for the North Sea Oil® and Earthrise® ranges. Lochcarron has published Living Wage accreditation, while Marton Mills publishes information about ethical sourcing and reducing resource use. Specific fibre content and any certification depend on the cloth selected.
Print-on-demand fabrics and accessories from Contrado are made using the materials and processes described for each product. Fibre composition, ink information, and any vegan or environmental claim must be checked for the selected item; these descriptions do not apply to Contrado’s entire range.

c. Eco Packaging

For in-house studio orders, I prioritise protective packaging with recycled content and practical opportunities for reuse wherever possible. The purpose is to help the artwork arrive in excellent condition while avoiding unnecessary material.

The Burnished Gold Editions have five protective packaging stages, including a double layer of glassine — six layers in total: two sheets of acid-free glassine, a protective card sleeve, acid-free gold tissue, a recycled-material presentation tube, and an outer cardboard box. The separate compartment keeps the companion guide, gloves, and small care items apart from the print.

The tube protects the artwork during delivery and temporary storage; it is not a substitute for appropriate archival storage or framing. Please reuse suitable packaging and check local recycling guidance, as coatings, mixed materials, and local facilities affect what can be recycled.
theprintspace describes its order packaging as a mixture of sustainably sourced, recyclable, or biodegradable materials. This is its published packaging approach, rather than a guarantee that every component is accepted by every local recycling service.
Contrado uses print-to-order production for selected products, helping avoid unsold mass-produced stock. Packaging and materials vary by item.

d. Energy & Carbon

Our studio operations prioritise energy efficiency and digital correspondence.
theprintspace publishes an end-to-end carbon-neutral service policy based on reducing emissions and offsetting remaining emissions, including delivery. This is the partner’s stated programme; offsetting does not mean that production or transport creates no emissions, and it does not certify my Arbroath studio or the Burnished Gold Editions as carbon neutral.
Contrado publishes its own sustainability information. We refer customers to that current statement for its production approach, rather than claiming that every facility or product has a verified renewable-energy or carbon rating.

4. Ethical Manufacturing & Labour Standards

We are committed to ensuring that all goods produced under The Tartan Artisan® name meet high ethical standards:

We do not tolerate forced, child, or exploitative labour and expect our manufacturing partners to uphold lawful, safe, and fair working conditions.
We value responsible working relationships with Glenisla Kilts, Lochcarron of Scotland, Marton Mills, and Contrado, and expect fair treatment and safe working environments.
We consider partners’ published ethical information and any modern slavery statements where available and applicable. Our commitment to fair working conditions does not depend on a supplier being legally required to publish such a statement.
Lochcarron’s Living Wage accreditation and Marton Mills’ published ethical policy are examples of partner information. They are separate commitments and should not be read as identical certifications for both mills.
Every artisan or manufacturer is treated with dignity, respect, and fair compensation.

5. Responsible Sourcing

Wherever possible, materials are sourced locally or regionally to reduce transportation impact:

Tartan & Wool: woven by Scottish and British mills, with the fibre and sourcing details available for the cloth selected.
Paper & Printing: selected for quality and suitability; the Burnished Gold Editions are printed in Arbroath, while other print editions may be fulfilled by regional partner studios. Paper origin and certification are specific to the material.
Packaging: UK-based suppliers and recycled-content materials are preferred where practical and compatible with protecting the product.

We consider supplier information and our experience of their work when choosing partners. This policy is not an independent audit or certification of every supplier.

6. Circular Design & Longevity

We design for durability and heirloom value.
Our kilts, artworks, and textiles are made to be valued and cared for — promoting buy less, choose well, and cherish always.
Customers are encouraged to repair, reuse, or rehome items rather than discard them. The Burnished Gold companion guide, handling gloves, and care information help recipients protect the print and prepare it for suitable framing. Longevity depends on handling, storage, and display conditions; it is not an unconditional lifespan guarantee.

7. Digital Responsibility

We maintain an ethical digital presence by:

Reducing avoidable data transfer through appropriate image optimisation and useful, clearly presented content.
Handling personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy and respecting consent requirements for optional analytics or advertising technologies.
Using Shopify to operate the shop, while distinguishing its own environmental commitments from the impact of our products and studio.

8. Community & Cultural Responsibility

As a designer inspired by Scotland’s heritage, Steven Patrick Sim aims to:

Support Scottish craftsmanship, mills, and local creative industries.
Promote cultural appreciation rather than appropriation of traditional designs.
Donate time and resources to educational or cultural initiatives where possible.
Share stories that connect Scotland’s traditions with global sustainability movements.

9. Partner Transparency

a. theprintspace (Print Space Studios Limited)

Publishes an end-to-end carbon-neutral service policy based on emissions reduction and offsets.
Publishes information about packaging and paper sourcing; materials and paper credentials depend on the service and stock selected.
States that it calculates and offsets delivery emissions. This does not mean that couriers produce no emissions.
Full sustainability statement: theprintspace — carbon-neutral service and packaging information

b. Contrado Imaging Ltd

UK-based production (London).
Print-to-order production helps limit unsold finished stock; it does not eliminate all production waste.
Offers a range of materials and printing processes. Any vegan, ink, or environmental description applies only to the product for which it is specified.
We expect lawful employment practices and fair treatment, and refer to its published information for its own commitments.
Full statement: www.contrado.co.uk/sustainability

c. Glenisla Kilts

Local Scottish partnership for traditional garment craftsmanship.
Focus on small-scale, ethical production using long-lasting natural fibres.
Our partnership is based on an expectation of fair working conditions and respect for skilled garment makers.

d. Lochcarron of Scotland

Living Wage-accredited employer and long-standing Scottish mill.
Its published company information should be consulted for current environmental initiatives.
We value its specialist weaving and durable wool cloth; the impact of a particular fabric depends on its materials and production.

e. Marton Mills Co. Ltd (England)

Publishes an Ethical Policy and sustainability information about its cloth and production.
Any certification or yarn standard should be checked against the particular fabric and current supplier documentation.
Its sustainability statement describes attention to traceable British wool and reducing energy and water use in finishing.
Full policy: Marton Mills — ethical policy; sustainability information

10. Continuous Improvement

Sustainability is a journey.
We review materials, packaging, and fulfilment choices and seek practical improvements over time. Environmental claims should be specific, supported, and kept up to date.
Customer suggestions are always welcome — responsible practice benefits from shared accountability.

11. Packaging Responsibilities & EPR

The UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules can require qualifying businesses to report packaging data and, where applicable, pay packaging-related fees. The duties depend on the business’s activities, turnover, and the amount of packaging supplied or imported.

Where these rules apply, we will meet the required registration, recordkeeping, reporting, and fee obligations. The relevant duties must be assessed using our actual business figures and packaging activities.

Use packaging appropriate to protecting the product, while avoiding unnecessary material.
Consider recycled content, reuse, and practical recyclability where suitable.
Keep any required packaging records and meet applicable registration, reporting, and fee obligations.
Review relevant requirements as the business and its packaging use change.

If you have a question about our packaging choices, please contact the studio using the details below.

12. Reporting & Contact

If you have questions or wish to raise concerns about our environmental or ethical practices, please contact:

Steven Patrick Sim
The Tartan Artisan® Studio
55 Lordburn, Arbroath, Angus, DD11 1JD, Scotland
✉ enquiries@thetartanartisan.com

We review and respond to all correspondence in good faith.

13. Updates to This Policy

We regularly review and update this policy to reflect legal changes, improvements in sustainable practice, and evolving partner commitments.
The latest version will always be dated at the top of this page.

End of Sustainability & Ethics Policy

(This policy forms part of The Tartan Artisan® Legal Framework and applies to all domains including TARTAN250 and Tartan.LOVE.)