A remarkable printing house with a holistic approach
At MISMO, we carefully screen and handpick all our suppliers. We believe that a successful relationship requires mutual empathy, respect, and curiosity. To nurture these paramount relations and to learn from the professionals we interact with, we visit our suppliers at their home base as often as possible to expand our knowledge of their expertise and talent.
Recently, we had the opportunity to do just that by visiting our favored printing house, Narayana Press. A sublime and renowned print player in Denmark, whom we collaborate with on all our printed articles. The visit left us in awe as we witnessed a completely unique, inspiring and holistic approach to running a production facility.
Narayana Press, dating back to 1961, is considered one of the finest and most specialized printing facilities in Denmark. And the most remarkable thing about it? With a holistic approach to life and work, the printing house is self-sustaining and run by 30 skilled members of the N.U. Yoga Ashrama.
Located about 40 km south of Aarhus, on Gyllingnæs, beautifully surrounded by fields, forests, and the sea, a quite unique society resides. Originally founded by Indian author and philosopher Swami Narayanananda in the Himalayas in 1955, Narayana Press started as a primitive printing facility producing Narayanananda's books.
By the end of the 1950s, many of Narayanananda's books were translated into Danish. An organization of his students was established in Denmark in 1961. Drug abusers and vagrant hippies found a new purpose of life at Narayana Press, where continuous professional training was provided and rewarded.
What began with a single platen press for lead printing in India evolved over the coming decades into a state-of-the-art printing facility in Gylling, Denmark, supported by a self-sufficient organization. With their own organic agriculture consisting of 100 acres of land, 4 large-scale greenhouses, around 30 families of bees and 14 Jersey cows, providing the monastery with everything needed for a self-sufficient way of life. Neither pesticides nor artificial fertilizers are used in the agriculture.
We were welcomed by decade members Erik Tarp and Kirsten Jensen upon arrival, who provided us with insight into the history of Narayana and its printing facilities. In addition to printing all MISMO publications, booklets and tags, Narayana Press also produces art books and niche products of exceptional tactile quality.
Nature preservation and the highest respect of its resources has been a key factor in the Narayana Press DNA since the beginning of the ashram in the 1970s. “1 gram of praxis is better than a ton of theory” underpins all environmental processes. Respect for resources is vital for Narayana Press, since the farming and agriculture processes feed and nurture the team.
Narayana is committed to a regenerative agenda at all levels of supply. A focus on CO2 reduction has led to ISO14001 certification – an audited international standard for focused environmental management practices.
All paper is FSC certified, colors are eco-friendly, paper waste is kept for smaller prints or recycled, and all machinery is state-of-the-art using environmentally friendly LED-UV techniques and classic oil-based inks.
The Nordic Swan-label follows all printed items. This means strict regulations on harmful chemicals, colors and ink, in addition to optimal waste reduction and comprehensive approval requirements for subcontractors. Narayana Press has its own waste recycling station where waste is sorted into different fractions. Only 1% of solid waste from the press is collected as mixed combustible waste. A commitment to reducing carbon footprints drives the focus on renewable energy sources and optimal recycling.
Narayana keeps a continuous dialogue with all sub-suppliers and customers to improve environmental performance. Their proposals include production discharge and CO2 emissions and whenever possible, Narayana Press provides alternative, climate-friendly solutions.
The holistic approach of Narayana Press deserves special recognition and appreciation. Their vision, devotion, and dedication to delivering a state of the art product with respect for the environment and a self-sufficient organization, is an inspiration on many levels.
A remarkable company and most certainly the only printing house in the world that bids its guests farewell with a jar of honey made on-site. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue and expand this nourishing collaboration.
