The appointments follow a competitive process undertaken by Gold Coast 2018, which they claimed attracted a significant number of suppliers during an open market expression of interest.

Gold Coast 2018, the Printing Industries Association of Australia (PIAA) and Department of State Development partnered to deliver a tendering workshop to the companies shortlisted.

It has now been claimed the panel of four printing firms will boost the environment and economy by embracing the standard.

"Gold Coast 2018 worked closely with the PIAA to provide training to printers in South East Queensland who were interested in responding to tenders for Commonwealth Games work," said Andrew Macaulay, PIAA chief executive.

"The recognition of industry certified sustainability accreditation has been central to this process.

"Gold Coast 2018 has helped raise the bar for our industry by specifying the Australian printing industry certification program in their tender process.

"PIAA supports Gold Coast 2018 in its mission to source environmentally sustainable print.

"Queensland’s environment and economy have both benefited as a consequence."

Gold Coast 2018 chairman Peter Beattie claimed the process had identified best practice among the successful panellists.

He also expressed his view that the process had encouraged other firms to upgrade their own systems to meet industry standards for sustainability.

"A number of the tenderers used the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games as a catalyst to review their current printing sustainability status and improve what they were doing," he said.

"That means that there is now, more than ever before, a range of local printers who are more sustainability aware and who now meet the Sustainable Green Print standard.

"Gold Coast 2018’s sustainability vision is to show leadership in sustainability by delivering Gold Coast 2018 to international standards of best practice, leaving positive economic, environmental, social and community legacies."