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Website: www.glga.info

Office - (262) 522-2210 / Fax - (262) 522-2211

Welcome to Currents, the Great Lakes Graphics Association's weekly e-newsletter, bringing you information and education you can use to run your business. Currents is published every Tuesday.

National News and Education

Printing Industry Survey Topics

Graphic Arts Employment

EPR Risk

Financial Resilience

Succession Planning

Sales Tip of the Week

GLGA Association News

GLGA/PCC Golf Social

Your GLGA Calendar

GLGA Academy

Member News

WCTC

Platinum Converting

Ewing Printing

"Printing Industry Performance & Insights" - What Topic Should We Cover Next?

A message for you from Dr. Ralph Williams, the coordinator of the Printing Industry Performance and Insights studies:

Printing Company Leaders,

Our “Printing Industry Performance & Insights” studies are built with one goal in mind: delivering actionable knowledge you can use. And to do that well, we need your input.

Please take a minute to open the survey link and rank the topics that matter most to you. It’s quick and simple. Just drag and drop the topics from most to least important. You can complete it on your phone or computer in just a minute or two.

If you have additional thoughts or ideas, we’d love to hear those as well. You can share them directly in the survey or email me anytime. 

Dr. Ralph Williams

Professor

Management

Middle Tennessee State University

Jones College of Business

Editor's note: the Great Lakes Graphics Association is among 15 regional printing associations partnering to sponsor the Performance and Insights studies. GLGA members can download reports from previous studies for free from the Members Only area of the GLGA website.

National News and Education

Graphic Arts Employment in February Was Flat—Thankfully

February 2026 saw printing industry employment increase a scant 0.1 percent from January, with production employment up 0.2 percent and non-production employment down by 0.1 percent. From WhatTheyThink.

4 Risks of Delaying EPR Registration

Instead of taking a wait-and-see approach, follow the five steps in this practical guide to navigate extended producer responsibility compliance risk while the Oregon federal courts sort things out. From Packaging Digest.

Financial Resilience Planning: Strategies for the 2026 Economy

Recession risks heading into 2026 appear relatively low, but unpredictable supply shocks remain the most significant threat to economic stability. By GLGA member CliftonLarsonAllen.

Succession Planning Isn’t About Replacements

Succession planning should be viewed as an ongoing talent process, not a one-time meeting or decision. By our HR partner MRA.

Editor's note: Click here for info about your membership benefits through our partnership with MRA.

A Job-Saving Sales Action

The minute a sales rep leaves the office, the questions begin: Is my rep doing their job? In this week's Short Attention Span Sales Tip, Bill Farquharson shares how to answer that question before it is asked. From the Sales Vault.

GLGA Association News

Let's Connect at the Indoor Golf Social!

GLGA is pleased to announce our first joint social with the Milwaukee Postal Customer Council. Join us on Wednesday, April 22, at Tap In Golf Simulators and Sports Bar in Waukesha, WI, for a fun night of networking as you experience world-renowned golf courses to work on your game.

Enjoy networking with those in the industry, some good food, and an open atmosphere. Pub food and time on the simulators are included. Sponsorships are available; for more information, contact Joe Lyman at (262) 522-2212 or via email.

Save the Dates!

2026 Awards Celebrations

• Wednesday, May 27 - Milwaukee, WI
• Tuesday, June 2 - Indianapolis, IN
• Thursday, June 4 - Bensenville, IL

2026 Golf Outings

• Tuesday, June 2 - Indiana Golf Outing, Indianapolis, IN
• Wednesday, July 15 - Illinois Printers Scholarship Golf Outing, Bensenville, IL
• Wednesday, August 12 - Wisconsin State Golf Outing, Cambridge, WI

For the latest news and announcements, check out the Event Calendar on our website 
and our LinkedIn networking group page. Registration questions? Contact Sharon Flick.

Membership News

Designed to Shine: WCTC Annual Portfolio Review is May 6

Posted on LinkedIn by Peggy Kiefert Krouse of Waukesha County Technical College, Pewaukee, WI.

Maximize Efficiency with Platinum’s Wide Format Folding Solutions!

Posted on LinkedIn by Platinum Converting, Bartlett, IL.

Ewing Printing Company: Check Out This New Look for Eternal Grace Memorials ✨

Posted on Facebook by Ewing Printing Company, Vincennes, IN.

About Us

The Great Lakes Graphics Association is the trade association dedicated to representing the graphic arts industry throughout Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin through education, promotion, and public affairs. It represents approximately 13 percent of the total print market in the United States with its three-state region, accounting for combined annual shipments of nearly $19 billion. Founded in 1886, GLGA is celebrating its 140th anniversary in 2026 and continues to be the oldest print trade association in North America. 

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