Industries Stay Committed to Embellishments

Segments of the printing industry are cautiously optimistic about the next few years. Sales revenue for commercial printing, direct mail, greeting cards, trading cards, and folding cartons and packaging is expected to grow. One contributing factor is the increased use of embellishments, particularly combinations of decorative technologies. Read more by PostPressMagazine.com.

Printing Outlook 2024: Whither AI?

We’ll gladly jump on any bandwagon, but with all the talk about so-called artificial intelligence (AI) these days, we thought it worth taking a look at the extent to which print businesses have it on their radars—and are perhaps even implementing it. Here are some general findings. Read more in this commentary and analysis by WhatTheyThink.com.

1 in 3 Employers Say They Anticipate Higher Turnover in 2024

Thirty-three percent of U.S. hiring managers believe employee turnover will increase at their company in 2024, leaving a financial impact and burdening remaining employees. Read more on HRDive.com.

New Report Looks at Social Platform Performance Benchmarks for Brands

As fewer people actually look to actively participate in social apps, preferring to only consume content instead, it may be worth re-aligning your KPIs around other metrics, like actual sales, email sign-ups, etc., in order to track relative performance. Read more on SocialMediaToday.com.

drupa in Düsseldorf: The Prime-Time Event for the Global Printing Industry Coming in May 2024

Over a period of eleven days, 1,427 exhibitors from 50 countries will present innovative technologies, solutions and topics that affect the industry now and in future. A wide range of special events will provide valuable know-how. Focus on digitalization and sustainability. Read more on drupa.com.

Video - Sales Worthiness

You are reaching for the phone to call a top decision-maker when a feeling comes over you: Why would anyone listen to you? This kind of self-doubt is not unusual. The question is, will you listen to that voice? Perhaps you should listen to Bill Farquharson's Short Attention Span Sales Tip instead. Read and see more.

Personal Branding Webinar Is This Wednesday

GLGA and our sister regional printing industry associations are joining together to present a special webinar on Wednesday, March 27. In Personal Branding through LinkedIn, Dan Evans of Hydrate Marketing will discuss 5 actionable steps that you can take to optimize your personal brand on LinkedIn and create the profile that your brand deserves.

Starting Next Week! New Virtual MasterClass Series: Driving Leadership in Print

Leadership is a much needed skill, from the top down. Regardless of what level you are at in a company, it is becoming increasingly vital for employees to influence and guide those they lead. This MasterClass is for owners, executive and leadership team members, supervisors, and prospective leaders who want to learn how to integrate new managers into leadership and and how to elevate current leadership with new skills. Our presenter is MasterClass educator Debbie Nicholson of Think To Ink!

The workshop runs four consecutive Tuesdays starting April 2, 2024, and running through April 23, 2024. Click here for more information or to register.

Your Help Requested: April 2024 “Printing Industry Performance and Insights” Study Opens Next Week

A personal note to GLGA members from Dr. Ralph Williams, the coordinator of the Printing Industry Performance and Insights studies:

Industry financial benchmarks help in finding a path to improve performance. So, we are excited about the April 2024 “Printing Industry Performance and Insights” financial survey.

We incorporated suggestions printing company leaders made after taking last year’s financial benchmarking survey, including the option of sharing financial statements instead of entering numbers. Hopefully, these will make our survey a bit easier to complete.

Help us develop knowledge that will help you: please complete the April survey! Watch for the survey link in next week's Currents.

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. 

Check Out Priority Press' Latest Priorities Magazine

Posted on Linkedin by Priority Press, Indianapolis, IN:

The latest issue of Priorities features stats and surveys that prove how some "old favorite" marketing techniques still have the biggest impact. Read more.

Kingery Printing: First in the World

Posted on their website blog by Kingery Printing, Effingham, IL:

This spring, in partnership with RICOH USA, Kingery Printing will be the first book printer in the world to install the RICOH Pro™ VC80000 high-speed digital inkjet web press. Read more.

Marty Pierce Joins Best Graphics Group

Posted on LinkedIn by Best Graphics Group, Waukesha, WI:

The Best Graphics team keeps growing— we’re excited to announce the addition of a new sales representative, Marty Pierce! Marty’s expertise spans a wide array of roles, including sales, sales management, and executive leadership, as well as ownership, corporate and key account management, operations, program development, technical solutions, and product launches. Read more.

Aloha Print Group Shows How to Elevates Lobby Space

Posted on LinkedIn by Aloha Print Group, Chicago, IL:

Exciting News! We've just added a splash of personality to our building lobby with a stunning custom vinyl wall graphic! See more.