We hear plenty of grim predictions about the future of print. But if you look at what the industry’s fresh talent is producing these days, the future is looking brighter and brighter. Recent studies say that students prefer print, but did you know many print and graphic arts students are producing outstanding, high-quality printed materials as well? Today’s students tell us a lot about where our industry is heading. That’s why it’s invigorating to see the amazingly creative craftsmanship they’re producing. Their contributions deserve to showcased! Take a look at some of these outstanding student-produced Premier Print Award winners. Examples of Student Entries in the Z-1 Category Examples of Past Entries in the Z-2 Category Distinguish YOUR Work The creators of these award-winning pieces entered the Premier Print Awards competition. This prestigious print event offers more than 100 print categories, and we also have special categories reserved just for student entries. Why are students entering the 2014 Premier Print Awards? Students can enter the competition at discounted rates. Winners receive valuable, industry-wide recognition. The online entry system is easy to use. Here’s a blog and a video to tell you more about it! Categories are designed for High School Students (Z-1) and Post-Secondary Students (Z-2). Enter as an individual or as a student group. Learn more about the 2014 Premier Print Awards at www.printing.org/PPA. The early-bird deadline is 4.18.14. Final entries are due by 5.16.14. More Opportunities for Students Entering this competitive job market can be intimidating. But there are many ways students can network and show their talents, such as: Attending industry trade shows Working in student-run print shops available at some schools Creating an online portfolio or blog Entering print competitions Volunteer to create pieces for a nonprofit or other business Do you have a great idea for students looking to gain recognition for their work? Let us know...
How Printers Are Getting Their Differentiation Back
This article is adapted from the article “Differentiation Is Back!” by Paul V. Reilly, Partner, New Direction Partners, published in the 2014 FORECAST Part 1: Trends and Tactics. Reilly is a featured presenter at the 2014 Print Leadership Summit, June 2–3. Technology can be like a double-edged sword. We use technology to increase print quality and differentiate our company. Then, as competitors eventually acquire these same technologies, differentiation decreases, and we’re left right back where we began. You could say that technology is so good, it’s bad! So the question is: How can printers today distinguish their company when they’re using the same technology that is available and comparable to their competitors’? The solution is customization. You may have heard of Proprietary Customer Interface Technology (PCIT). Our industry has developed this new customization tool to solve the technical differentiation problem. Here Paul V. Reilly of New Direction Partners explains how adopting PCIT can help you multiply your sales. What is PCIT? PCIT is a computer application that facilitates the interaction between the printer and customer—what some might refer to it as “Web-to-print on steroids.” But PCIT is much more than Web-to-print, providing a high level of customization for each customer’s individual needs. PCIT is usually a combination of acquired and custom code, but it always includes custom code. This allows a company to differentiate itself from a competitor who has similar software. PCIT fully integrates the flow of data between the printer and customer, whether data is stored on the customer’s or printer’s servers. PCIT, similar to all solution sales, transfers risk held by a customer in a transactional sale to the printer. Examples include delivery time and accuracy, versions, proofing, etc. The image shows a schematic of how PCIT works. How can PCIT help increase profits? When commercial printers achieve 50% or more in sales processed through PCIT (often referred to as “programmed sales”), overall top-line growth becomes positive. This is pure mathematics. Programmed sales grow 10–15% per year, and such growth overcomes traditional transactional commercial sales, which are decreasing 5–10% per year. Firms with a majority of their sales as programmed sales have approximately 2% of employment dedicated to customer development, and their most recent hires are programmers (not factory personnel). Such a level of commitment is required to write software code for customer “on boarding” (the process of writing code for new customers) and to manage continual customer requests for enhancements. What effect does PCIT have on retaining customers? Most advanced users of PCIT are fully integrated in the back end of production and accounting. The success in utilizing PCIT derives from enjoying a high level of customer “stickiness.” This printer/customer integration makes it difficult...
How Printers Are Getting Their Differentiation Back
This article is adapted from the article “Differentiation Is Back!” by Paul V. Reilly, Partner, New Direction Partners, published in the 2014 FORECAST Part 1: Trends and Tactics. Reilly is a featured presenter at the 2014 Print Leadership Summit, June 2–3. Technology can be like a double-edged sword. We use technology to increase print quality and differentiate our company. Then, as competitors eventually acquire these same technologies, differentiation decreases, and we’re left right back where we began. You could say that technology is so good, it’s bad! So the question is: How can printers today distinguish their company when they’re using the same technology that is available and comparable to their competitors’? The solution is customization. You may have heard of Proprietary Customer Interface Technology (PCIT). Our industry has developed this new customization tool to solve the technical differentiation problem. Here Paul V. Reilly of New Direction Partners explains how adopting PCIT can help you multiply your sales. What is PCIT? PCIT is a computer application that facilitates the interaction between the printer and customer—what some might refer to it as “Web-to-print on steroids.” But PCIT is much more than Web-to-print, providing a high level of customization for each customer’s individual needs. PCIT is usually a combination of acquired and custom code, but it always includes custom code. This allows a company to differentiate itself from a competitor who has similar software. PCIT fully integrates the flow of data between the printer and customer, whether data is stored on the customer’s or printer’s servers. PCIT, similar to all solution sales, transfers risk held by a customer in a transactional sale to the printer. Examples include delivery time and accuracy, versions, proofing, etc. The image shows a schematic of how PCIT works. How can PCIT help increase profits? When commercial printers achieve 50% or more in sales processed through PCIT (often referred to as “programmed sales”), overall top-line growth becomes positive. This is pure mathematics. Programmed sales grow 10–15% per year, and such growth overcomes traditional transactional commercial sales, which are decreasing 5–10% per year. Firms with a majority of their sales as programmed sales have approximately 2% of employment dedicated to customer development, and their most recent hires are programmers (not factory personnel). Such a level of commitment is required to write software code for customer “on boarding” (the process of writing code for new customers) and to manage continual customer requests for enhancements. What effect does PCIT have on retaining customers? Most advanced users of PCIT are fully integrated in the back end of production and accounting. The success in utilizing PCIT derives from enjoying a high level of customer “stickiness.” This printer/customer integration makes it difficult...
Promotional Products, A Powerful Part of Brand Reinforcement
This blog post was contributed by ASI. For more information on the ASI Buying Program or any of the Buying Programs at Printing Industries of America, visit www.printing.org/buyingpower. Promotional Products: An Affair to Remember Promotional products are globally recognized as a powerful part of brand reinforcement, and advertisers can’t get enough. A Love Story: The Advertiser & the Promotional Product Did you know that 86% of those who own promotional products remember the advertiser? On average, people in the U.S. own 10 promo products. Whether it’s a calendar, a reusable bag, or coffee mug, logos and brand messages are memorable because they are visible. The Perfect Match: The Advertiser and the Distributor How well do promotional products work? In 2013, the industry earned $20.5 billion. So, where do promotional products come from, and who’s profiting from them? When advertisers need products for a special promotion, they seek out distributors to generate ideas and place orders with suppliers. The First Date: Getting Started as a Distributor Becoming a distributor can be as easy and profitable. Let’s do the math: The average order from a single end-buyer is $1,061. Five orders per year will bring in $5,305. The average small distributor services 94 clients per year, bringing that total up to $498,670 a year. You don’t have to quit your day job. Many business owners sell promotional products in addition to their primary business. You can earn more money from existing customers. For instance, printers can upsell high-end products like embroidered jackets and engraved awards, to their customers, along with their regular orders. Intrigued? Happily Ever After ASI® can help launch your business with robust sourcing tools, free education, catalogs, websites, trade shows, and more! You don’t need a lot of capital or additional staff. You simply sign up, learn, and sell. Big things come in small packages. If you’re not convinced, check your desk, closet, or vehicle and discover how many of these products you actually own. Visit www.printing.org/asi to learn...
Promotional Products, A Powerful Part of Brand Reinforcement
This blog post was contributed by ASI. For more information on the ASI Buying Power Program or any of the Buying Power Programs at Printing Industries of America, visit www.printing.org/buyingpower. Promotional Products: An Affair to Remember Promotional products are globally recognized as a powerful part of brand reinforcement, and advertisers can’t get enough. A Love Story: The Advertiser & the Promotional Product Did you know that 86% of those who own promotional products remember the advertiser? On average, people in the U.S. own 10 promo products. Whether it’s a calendar, a reusable bag, or coffee mug, logos and brand messages are memorable because they are visible. The Perfect Match: The Advertiser and the Distributor How well do promotional products work? In 2013, the industry earned $20.5 billion. So, where do promotional products come from, and who’s profiting from them? When advertisers need products for a special promotion, they seek out distributors to generate ideas and place orders with suppliers. The First Date: Getting Started as a Distributor Becoming a distributor can be as easy and profitable. Let’s do the math: The average order from a single end-buyer is $1,061. Five orders per year will bring in $5,305. The average small distributor services 94 clients per year, bringing that total up to $498,670 a year. You don’t have to quit your day job. Many business owners sell promotional products in addition to their primary business. You can earn more money from existing customers. For instance, printers can upsell high-end products like embroidered jackets and engraved awards, to their customers, along with their regular orders. Intrigued? Happily Ever After ASI® can help launch your business with robust sourcing tools, free education, catalogs, websites, trade shows, and more! You don’t need a lot of capital or additional staff. You simply sign up, learn, and sell. Big things come in small packages. If you’re not convinced, check your desk, closet, or vehicle and discover how many of these products you actually own. Visit www.printing.org/asi to learn...