Printing is a dynamic industry that creates new experiences, challenges, and issues for those who work in it. For a printing business to remain competitive, it is important to stay informed, especially on sustainable business practices and regulatory compliance topics. Printing Industries of America is happy to provide a resource for its members to stay up to date with the latest in sustainable and regulatory compliance news for the printing community in the form of a listserv. There are a number of environmental and safety regulations impacting the printing industry, and agencies are continuously issuing new rules and enforcing standards. To avoid the costly risk of being out of compliance, they require constant monitoring and response strategies. It’s just as vital to stay up to date with sustainability news in the printing community. Customers are becoming more concerned with the environmental impact of products, and companies are finding innovative ways to adopt economical sustainable management practices that improve their operation and business. The Sustainable and Regulatory Affairs Listserv provides member companies with important information impacting the printing industry from the Printing Industries Environmental, Health, and Safety Affairs Department. It also provides an opportunity for members to share their own expertise, tips, or concerns with the Printing Industries of America EHS staff and fellow EHS community members in the printing industry. Want to join? Simply send an email with the subject “Subscribe SRA Listserv” to Caitlin Seiler, Environmental, Health, and Safety Specialist at cseiler@printing.org. If you’re already a member of the Safety Listserv you will automatically be a part of this group, there is no need to...
12 New Technologies Predicted to Change the Graphic Communications Industry
Since 1978, the InterTech™ Technology Awards have proven that printing technology is alive and well and making an enormous impact on the industry to reduce costs, improve performance, and pursue new markets. Over the years, 273 technologies have been selected by the judges to receive this prestigious award. This year is no exception. We want to take this time to recognize the 12 innovative recipients of the 2012 InterTech Technology Award for their contributions to the performance of the graphic communication industry. They are truly “Stars” in the field of innovation. Take a Tour Through Innovation Excellence: To see each of the 12 new technologies that are predicted to change the graphic communication industry, watch this short video. And the 2012 Recipients are: In case you missed any, here are those technologies listed alphabetically by company, with the technology named first. Congratulations to the 2012 InterTech Technology Award recipients: Kodak NexPress Red Fluorescing SolutionEastman Kodak Company The Kodak NexPress Red Fluorescing Solution lets printers easily add security to printed documents, direct mail, and packaging. The virtually invisible dry ink fluoresces red when illuminated with ultraviolet light. The judges singled out the technology for its simple and low-cost approach to adding counterfeit protection. Enterworks® EnableEnterworks, Inc. Enterworks Enable allows a company to manage complex product information, associated images, and other marketing assets. The Web-based software then automates the delivery of this selling content through print and e-commerce channels. One judge commented: “This is robust enterprise-level product information management software that is extremely configurable.” i-cut SuiteEsko i-cut Suite is a collection of workflow software for users of large-format digital printers. It gives companies the essential tools to maintain efficiency and productivity. “This is complete workflow designed specifically for large format at a reasonable price,” noted a judge. Fujifilm J Press 720FUJIFILM North America Corporation The J Press 720 is the world’s first half-size sheetfed inkjet press. It produces accurate and consistent color work with virtually no makeready waste. The judges singled out the J Press for its pioneering role in what is expected to be a major pressroom shift to inkjet. Prinect Performance BenchmarkingHeidelberg USA Prinect Performance Benchmarking is a subscription-based application that lets companies compare the performance of their Speedmaster presses and operators with other printers. Said one InterTech judge: “No one else offers this … it is worth its weight in gold for the printer that takes true advantage of benchmarking.” Keen MIS and Web-to-PrintKeen Systems, Inc. Keen MIS and Web-to-Print software is a cloud-based platform that allows companies to pick a subscription plan and begin creating storefronts in minutes. The judges praised the cloud-based and SaaS approach, the additional functionality from plug-ins, and the easy-to-use interface. Color Control...
Ryan T. Sauers explains the importance of two-way communications in sales
The following is contributed by Ryan T. Sauers, President and Owner of Sauers Consulting Strategies The entire sales process is often looked down on by many due to pushy, gimmicky, and unethical salespersons who create a bad name for the overall and traditional sales profession. Most salespersons I know, however, have a great passion for their endeavor and try to perform it as honestly and ethically as possible. You see, ethical sales = great communications. Our communications must provide the 5 Cs of effective communications: Clarity, Consistency, Content, Connection and Creativity. If our communications are not clear, lack content, are inconsistent, do not provide connections, and lack creativity, we are not getting the job done. Sales is all about two-way communications—with an “s” —and a two-way dialogue, not one-way communication (singular) and a monologue. Success in sales/communications is not about how much you talk, but about how much you listen. It’s not about how many times you share how great your company is, but how many problems and headaches you can solve. Sales/communications (plural) is about relationships and integrity. It’s about solving root issues by asking intelligent “why” questions. This Everyone is in Sales mindset is about being a strong overall communicator and adapting one’s communications style to best meet the needs of the other person. In short, Everyone Is in Sales because we all have information that we desire to share with other people. We want to be understood, right? Are you sold yet? Ryan T. Sauers is President and Owner of Sauers Consulting Strategies. Before launching the independent consulting firm, Ryan spent nearly 20 years leading graphics, MSP, and visual communications companies. The company consults with graphics related organizations across the United States. He is the author of Everyone Is in Sales, available at the Printing Industries of America bookstore. For more info, visit...
Let Your Voice Be Heard. Urge Congress to Pass Postal Reform Now!
As many of you know, postal reform has been slow moving in Congress this summer. Accordingly, Printing Industries of America’s Government Affairs team has been busy on Capitol Hill, trying to encourage lawmakers to stop the political messaging and pass H.R. 2309, the Postal Reform Act of 2011. The Senate has done its part and passed its bill, but postal reform cannot become law until the House acts. A bill is ready to go, but election-year politics are making it very unlikely that the House will bring postal reform legislation to a floor vote this summer. As a result, we have voiced our concerns regarding the disastrous consequences this delay would pose to the printing and graphic communications industry—and to the overall future viability of the U.S. Postal Service. Now it’s time for you to tell lawmakers to pass postal reform now! The month of August is a crucial time to reach out to lawmakers and staff while they are “back home.” That’s why we’re launching a multi-level August campaign to tell Congress that “Postal Reform = Jobs.” The goal of the campaign is to urge the House to bring H.R. 2309 to a vote as soon as possible when they get back to Washington in September. To help you get involved, we are launching the campaign with the webinar Printing Industry Call to Action: The August Campaign for Postal Reform, on Tuesday, August 7, at 2:00 EST. There is no cost for member companies to participate. Join us for a brief legislative update and gain access to the August campaign grassroots toolkit. Learn easy, step-by-step tactics to mobilize your employees, customers, and community, to create the groundswell needed to push postal reform over the goal line in 2012. Don’t let inaction derail the vital need to pass meaningful postal reform. Let your voice be heard and make it count by registering for this important industry webinar. Together, we can urge Congress to pass postal reform...
Thinking of Using a Consultant to Solve Your Color-Related Issues? You’re Not Alone.
Does this sound familiar? “We knew we weren’t as efficient as we could be. We were experiencing long makereadies and jobs were being rejected because the color consistency across processes and devices was non-existent. We had the best of intentions to make improvements, however between difficulties in finding time and not knowing how to get our arms around the issues, we procrastinated. It wasn’t until we risked losing our biggest client that we were forced to reach out for help. With outside support, we turned it around! Our client relationship was saved, finally we have consistent color, faster makereadies, and less waste in time and materials. If only we had done this sooner! Times are too challenging not be deadly serious about becoming a smarter, better-run company.” — CEO, XYZ Printing This is a common sentiment. Companies know they need to improve and search for solutions for better color management, but they falter when the time comes to put solutions in place that will make a long-term difference. In the end, after months of stalled efforts, no ground has been gained, and they are left wondering if anyone else has similar struggles they could learn from? The answer is yes! The majority of problems are not unique; others have gone through the same challenges. So, rather than wasting any more time, money, and resources, find someone you can trust to provide help! Someone who can identify the root cause of vexing problems, recommend solutions, provide implementation support, and get you on your way to efficiency and profitability. Whether through staff training, use of new technology, developing procedures, or doing that strategic planning you keep putting off, the right consultant can provide a fresh perspective that will guide you to solutions that are tough to see from the trenches. In what ways can our trained consultants help your company improve? Providing independent, unbiased assessments and working with you to solve your issues. Focusing on improvements that will strengthen your competitive advantage. Benchmarking your improvements. Developing new skills in your employees. Implementing new technology. Efficiency + Quality + Productivity = Profitability! Avoid the “If only I had called for help sooner” syndrome and proactively seek training and consulting that will impact employee performance and ultimately the company’s profitability! You’ll be glad you did, and so will your bottom line! For more information or to take advantage of Printing Industries of America’s Center for Technology and Research consultation services, contact Karen J. Keller, Senior Training/Consulting Specialist at 412-259-1711, or kkeller@printing.org. If you are searching for training on enhancing your color management or digital production, we have educational resources for you as well: Optimizing Color for Your Digital Press WorkshopSeptember 25–26, 2012 Extreme...