Decor printing is a particular form of gravure printing, whereby white or dyed paper is used as the printing substrate. Ever since its foundation in 1985, Schattdecor has made use of water-based inks and organic, heavy-metal-free pigments to reduce environmental impact. In the decor printing process, ink is applied to base paper by means of a gravure cylinder, which consists of a nickel-plated steel core covered by a layer of copper into which the decor pattern is engraved. The copper coating is protected by a thin layer of chromium plating which reduces wear on the cylinder during long gravure press runs.
 
Since decorative papers reduce depletion of natural resources, decor printing plays a significant role from an ecological point of view – an aspect of particular importance in view of today's short-lived furniture and interior decoration styles.