A Better Way to Proof?
This blog post was submitted by Color 2016 sponsor, GTI. Soft proofing allows the user to view an accurate representation of what a final print will look like on their monitor. This visual representation (soft proof) replaces a traditional hard copy proof and serves as a contract between supplier and buyer. A contract soft proofing system will enhance a digital workflow by providing proofs that are accurate, repeatable, and supported by industry standards. A contract soft proofing system requires software, a light booth, and monitor. The soft proofing software provides tools for sharing digital proofs. The reviewer will have the capability to view, zoom, and navigate high resolution files without having to download the entire file. The software enables multiple users to simultaneously review the same file and offers markup and annotation tools to communicate edits, digital sign-off to indicate approval or rejection, and automated email notifications sent between stakeholders. To ensure accuracy when selecting soft proofing software look for a program that will assign color profiles to the digital files and prompt the viewer to calibrate their display using an external color sensor and pre-set color viewing parameters. Remote Director’s soft proofing software offers this capability. A soft proofing workflow also requires a light booth with dimming capabilities to be used near the monitor. This will allow the illuminance level of the monitor and viewing area to match. A GTI iQ viewing system is equipped to automatically match the luminance level of the monitor. In a soft proofing workflow the monitor is acting like an output device. To ensure accuracy the monitor needs to be a high quality, color calibrated monitor such as those offered by BenQ, Eizo, and NEC. GTI Graphic Technology, Inc. and Remote Director LLC have combined to offer a series of complete soft proofing solutions that include a two year subscription for two concurrent seats to Remote Director Software, a USB instrument to calibrate the monitor, and a GTI iQ enabled ISO 3664:2009 compliant viewing system. GTI light booths are available in desktop and floor stand models. Soft proofing allows for many people in many locations to review a single proof at the same time, as opposed to creating and sending multiple copies of the proof to many people. This allows project stakeholders to automatically consolidate all feedback and approvals in a single file instead of manually gathering and sorting through comments provided by reviewers. Soft proofing also shortens the production cycle by eliminating the need to print and deliver hard copy proofs. By eliminating the cost of the printer, paper, ink, and shipping/delivery soft proofing will also save significant money. Soft proofing will benefit all stakeholders not only by reducing cost and tightening the production cycle, but allowing more time for creativity and creating an opportunity for greater communication across the supply chain. A properly installed soft proofing system completes the digital...
read moreMatthew Busch Brings His Love of Print Full Circle
College expenses can be a nightmare, as most college students would agree. The average cost of tuition and fees in the United States for 2015 exceeded $32,000 according to CollegeData.com. And the cost can reach as high as $120,000 for graduate school, according to FinAid.org. So it makes sense the first thing a student would (and absolutely should) do after being accepted to college is start looking for any means possible to cut the cost of higher education. For individuals interested in graphic communications, the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF) offers the tuition and fellowship assistance young students need to help them attend school comfortably. PGSF dedicates itself not only to the financial assistance of students, but also functions to strengthen the graphic communications industry and reassure students that the multi-faceted industry is indeed growing. When former PGSF recipient Matthew Busch decided to return to school to become a graphic arts teacher, PGSF’s assistance helped him achieve his dream of sharing his enthusiasm for graphic communications with younger generations. Matthew’s interest in the world of graphic communications was kick-started by a “kooky” high school graphics teacher whose classroom inspired him to pursue graphic communications professionally. After learning all he could about printing and graphics and experiencing processes firsthand, his interest became a passion. Not long after, Matthew’s attendance at graphics summer camps and trade shows transformed that passion into a hobby. As a result, he later earned his bachelor’s degree in graphic design. However, as fate would have it, Matthew never fit in with the various industry jobs he tried. Finding himself constantly drawn back to education, he went into teaching. Still suffering from the debt accumulated from his undergraduate years, he discovered PGSF while searching for financial assistance for his master’s degree. After applying, he received several PGSF scholarship awards that made his journey possible. “I still have graduate loans I’m paying off … but it’s nowhere near as much had PGSF not been there for me,” he said. Now working at Enloe High School in North Carolina, Matthew’s dream of teaching graphics is now a reality thanks, in part, to PGSF. Channeling his admiration and respect for his high school graphics instructor, Matthew encourages students to get into graphic communications by creating a “project-based” classroom that puts most aspects of a project in the hands of the student, giving them a lot of creative freedom. The success of his program—dubbed “Enloe Graphics”—is partly due to Enloe High School’s administration. The school has a “go for it” attitude and sees a graphics department as an important program worth supporting. Matthew emulated that mentality by building a strong printing and graphics program furnished with all the resources it needed; he believes his program has the opportunity to interest many students because of what the program offers, including everything from photography to printing to design. “My goal is to make graphics tangible and also make it an obvious solution for as many as I can hook,” he said. Matthew believes students who open their minds to printing and graphics, and see the potential of it all, have the opportunity to become passionate about the graphic communications industry. He feels empowered by his students’ creations and hopes they also recognize the creative power they hold by further pursing the industry....
read moreMatthew Busch Brings His Love of Print Full Circle
College expenses can be a nightmare, as most college students would agree. The average cost of tuition and fees in the United States for 2015 exceeded $32,000 according to CollegeData.com. And the cost can reach as high as $120,000 for graduate school, according to FinAid.org. So it makes sense the first thing a student would (and absolutely should) do after being accepted to college is start looking for any means possible to cut the cost of higher education. For individuals interested in graphic communications, the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF) offers the tuition and fellowship assistance young students need to help them attend school comfortably. PGSF dedicates itself not only to the financial assistance of students, but also functions to strengthen the graphic communications industry and reassure students that the multi-faceted industry is indeed growing. When former PGSF recipient Matthew Busch decided to return to school to become a graphic arts teacher, PGSF’s assistance helped him achieve his dream of sharing his enthusiasm for graphic communications with younger generations. Matthew’s interest in the world of graphic communications was kick-started by a “kooky” high school graphics teacher whose classroom inspired him to pursue graphic communications professionally. After learning all he could about printing and graphics and experiencing processes firsthand, his interest became a passion. Not long after, Matthew’s attendance at graphics summer camps and trade shows transformed that passion into a hobby. As a result, he later earned his bachelor’s degree in graphic design. However, as fate would have it, Matthew never fit in with the various industry jobs he tried. Finding himself constantly drawn back to education, he went into teaching. Still suffering from the debt accumulated from his undergraduate years, he discovered PGSF while searching for financial assistance for his master’s degree. After applying, he received several PGSF scholarship awards that made his journey possible. “I still have graduate loans I’m paying off … but it’s nowhere near as much had PGSF not been there for me,” he said. Now working at Enloe High School in North Carolina, Matthew’s dream of teaching graphics is now a reality thanks, in part, to PGSF. Channeling his admiration and respect for his high school graphics instructor, Matthew encourages students to get into graphic communications by creating a “project-based” classroom that puts most aspects of a project in the hands of the student, giving them a lot of creative freedom. The success of his program—dubbed “Enloe Graphics”—is partly due to Enloe High School’s administration. The school has a “go for it” attitude and sees a graphics department as an important program worth supporting. Matthew emulated that mentality by building a strong printing and graphics program furnished with all the resources it needed; he believes his program has the opportunity to interest many students because of what the program offers, including everything from photography to printing to design. “My goal is to make graphics tangible and also make it an obvious solution for as many as I can hook,” he said. Matthew believes students who open their minds to printing and graphics, and see the potential of it all, have the opportunity to become passionate about the graphic communications industry. He feels empowered by his students’ creations and hopes they also recognize the creative power they hold by further pursing the industry....
read moreDepartment of Labor Updates Two Required Posters
Recently, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) updated two of its required employee postings. For the Fair Labor Standards Act poster (commonly called “minimum wage poster”), significant changes include the following: The poster includes new language from the federal health care law passed in 2009 that advises non-exempt nursing mothers of their right to be provided with a reasonable break time to express breast milk. It states that employers must provide a place that is not a bathroom, shielded from view, and free from intrusion by co-workers as well. Officials revised the poster to include mention of additional penalties for violations of the FLSA. Lastly, there is mention that some employers are classifying workers incorrectly as independent contractors thus depriving actual non-exempt workers from their entitlement to minimum wage and overtime pay protection. Federal and state agencies, including the DOL, have been focused on this area as a source of missed tax revenue. The second required employee posting, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act poster, contains very few changes. The most important is the deletion of a reference to $10,000 in the enforcement section of the poster. The bottom right side of the new poster notes “rev 07/16”. Employers must post these revised posters immediately in areas where employees and applicants can view them. Download the new posters at https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/eppa.htm or https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/flsa.htm PIA members can learn more and download the federal and state posters at www.printing.org/page/3767....
read moreDepartment of Labor Updates Two Required Posters
Recently, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) updated two of its required employee postings. For the Fair Labor Standards Act poster (commonly called “minimum wage poster”), significant changes include the following: The poster includes new language from the federal health care law passed in 2009 that advises non-exempt nursing mothers of their right to be provided with a reasonable break time to express breast milk. It states that employers must provide a place that is not a bathroom, shielded from view, and free from intrusion by co-workers as well. Officials revised the poster to include mention of additional penalties for violations of the FLSA. Lastly, there is mention that some employers are classifying workers incorrectly as independent contractors thus depriving actual non-exempt workers from their entitlement to minimum wage and overtime pay protection. Federal and state agencies, including the DOL, have been focused on this area as a source of missed tax revenue. The second required employee posting, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act poster, contains very few changes. The most important is the deletion of a reference to $10,000 in the enforcement section of the poster. The bottom right side of the new poster notes “rev 07/16”. Employers must post these revised posters immediately in areas where employees and applicants can view them. Download the new posters at https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/eppa.htm or https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/flsa.htm PIA members can learn more and download the federal and state posters at www.printing.org/page/3767....
read morePIA Speaks With 2015 BWA Winner: MOSAIC
Do you consider your business a career employer? When you hire skilled workers, do they stay for long periods of time? Do they talk up your business to prospective clients and other potential employees? The 2016 Best Workplace in the Americas recognizes companies that fit all of those benchmarks. It’s the only graphic communications industry competition of its kind to recognize outstanding workplaces and the companies that develop them. Last year, the full-service integrated communications firm MOSAIC was chosen as a 2015 Best Workplace in the Americas recipient in the medium-sized company category. Sarah Wilson, HR manager of the organization, spoke with us about HR practices in her company, what it means to be a Best Workplace in the Americas winner, and why recognizing employees is so important in the graphic communications industry. PIA: The Best Workplace in the Americas competition judges companies on eight key human relations areas: management practices, work environment, training and development opportunities, financial security, work-life balance, recognition and rewards, health and wellness programs, and workplace health and safety. Which one of these areas do you feel that MOSAIC excels at the most and why? SW: In particular, work environment is the area in which MOSAIC excels. The Best Workplace in the Americas application asks for data on voluntary turnover, involuntary turnover, and layoffs, and we compare that information year-over-year both internally and with industry trends. However, work environment doesn’t always easily compare to a numeric ratio. It compares what companies are doing to ensure the work environment is conducive to the production of a superior product and a place where employees are stimulated to achieve. To make the work environment and culture more satisfying, MOSAIC holds events throughout the year that are not only employee focused but also concentrate on the community. Some of our employees’ favorite events include: the All-You-Can-Eat Crab Feast, our Holiday Party (where Santa always makes an appearance), and the Spring BBQ where our sales representatives prepare food for an afternoon party to say thanks to everyone in the plant for their efforts. Community facing activities include the following: Toys for Tots, Stop Hunger Now (volunteers package over 20,000 meals during this event), and holding a company-wide “Crock Pot Cook Off” (where the donations are given to a charity of the winner’s choice). Because of all of these great events and more, MOSAIC is consistently better—on average—than the industry in terms of work environment. PIA: A Best Workplace in the Americas win can do wonders in promoting your business to prospective employees and clients. How do you publicize the Best Workplace in the Americas win at MOSAIC? SW: MOSAIC takes great pride in our string of Best Workplace in the Americas wins, and we promote it proudly in several ways. First, we display our awards in our main lobby entrance where employees, customers, visitors, and suppliers can review them. We also share the honor and accomplishments with employees through our company newsletter, Viewpoints. As a recruiting tool, we leverage the award and promote our achievement with potential employee candidates. It is also marketed on our website, with job descriptions, and with our benefits package. During interviews, it is often a center of conversation. PIA is well recognized in our industry; and therefore, PIA’s brand recognition with the competition is leveraged....
read morePIA Speaks With 2015 BWA Winner: MOSAIC
Do you consider your business a career employer? When you hire skilled workers, do they stay for long periods of time? Do they talk up your business to prospective clients and other potential employees? The 2016 Best Workplace in the Americas recognizes companies that fit all of those benchmarks. It’s the only graphic communications industry competition of its kind to recognize outstanding workplaces and the companies that develop them. Last year, the full-service integrated communications firm MOSAIC was chosen as a 2015 Best Workplace in the Americas recipient in the medium-sized company category. Sarah Wilson, HR manager of the organization, spoke with us about HR practices in her company, what it means to be a Best Workplace in the Americas winner, and why recognizing employees is so important in the graphic communications industry. PIA: The Best Workplace in the Americas competition judges companies on eight key human relations areas: management practices, work environment, training and development opportunities, financial security, work-life balance, recognition and rewards, health and wellness programs, and workplace health and safety. Which one of these areas do you feel that MOSAIC excels at the most and why? SW: In particular, work environment is the area in which MOSAIC excels. The Best Workplace in the Americas application asks for data on voluntary turnover, involuntary turnover, and layoffs, and we compare that information year-over-year both internally and with industry trends. However, work environment doesn’t always easily compare to a numeric ratio. It compares what companies are doing to ensure the work environment is conducive to the production of a superior product and a place where employees are stimulated to achieve. To make the work environment and culture more satisfying, MOSAIC holds events throughout the year that are not only employee focused but also concentrate on the community. Some of our employees’ favorite events include: the All-You-Can-Eat Crab Feast, our Holiday Party (where Santa always makes an appearance), and the Spring BBQ where our sales representatives prepare food for an afternoon party to say thanks to everyone in the plant for their efforts. Community facing activities include the following: Toys for Tots, Stop Hunger Now (volunteers package over 20,000 meals during this event), and holding a company-wide “Crock Pot Cook Off” (where the donations are given to a charity of the winner’s choice). Because of all of these great events and more, MOSAIC is consistently better—on average—than the industry in terms of work environment. PIA: A Best Workplace in the Americas win can do wonders in promoting your business to prospective employees and clients. How do you publicize the Best Workplace in the Americas win at MOSAIC? SW: MOSAIC takes great pride in our string of Best Workplace in the Americas wins, and we promote it proudly in several ways. First, we display our awards in our main lobby entrance where employees, customers, visitors, and suppliers can review them. We also share the honor and accomplishments with employees through our company newsletter, Viewpoints. As a recruiting tool, we leverage the award and promote our achievement with potential employee candidates. It is also marketed on our website, with job descriptions, and with our benefits package. During interviews, it is often a center of conversation. PIA is well recognized in our industry; and therefore, PIA’s brand recognition with the competition is leveraged....
read moreKey KPM Figures—Sales per Employee
Key performance metrics (KPMs) evaluate the success of a business, but can differ between companies based on various factors including the size of the business and geographic location. Below, you can see the sales-per-employee KPM in the graphic communication industry over the last ten years for profit leaders and profit challengers. Profit leaders are printers in the top 25 percent of profitability while profit challengers are those in the bottom 75 percent of profitability. In this timeframe, the average profit leader in our industry saw around $15,000 more in sales per employee than the average profit challenger. How can you align your company to have sales-per-employee numbers that line up more closely with profit leading printers? First, you need to know where you stand. The new Printing Industries of America Dynamic Ratios will provide easy-to-understand graphics that show your current position in the market and where your company can grow. By completing the Dynamic Ratios survey, you will receive one free report of the Dynamic Ratios findings as well as free access to the online tool. For more information on how to participate, visit...
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