Quick Printing

JAN 2015

Quick Printing is the resource for the Commercial printing, visual and graphic arts industries. Since 1977, Quick Printing has focused on improving efficiency and increasing sales and profits in the print shop. Industry experts share their ideas and

Issue link: https://quickprinting.epubxp.com/i/439766

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 19 of 39

20 Quick Printing | January 2015 MyPRINTResource.com 4over, Inc. has added custom packaging via fexible paperboard boxes featuring durable, bright-white stocks and unique fnishes. Brokers and printers reselling print are nothing new, but the practice is growing. By Mark Vruno W ho do print frms turn to when they need print- ing done that falls outside of their typical scope of work? Page through this magazine, which is written for printers, and you'll see advertisements for: promotional printing from trade printers such as Zoo Printing, book printing (from 48HourBooks.com), business forms and checks (DFS), business cards, envelopes, pack- aging (4over, Inc.), labels (Label Art, LabelWorks), fyers, trifold brochures, two-color work (ASAP Printing Corp.), signage (Signs 365), even raffe tickets and tags, to point out just a few examples. Often times, jobbing out makes the most sense, especially if the work is not a good ft for a print shop's capabilities, advised Steve Johnson, president of Copres- co. "If you fnd a low-cost producer who specializes in what you're looking for, you can mark up the price and still make money on these jobs, while saving yourself a lot of headaches," Johnson explained. This business strategy is nothing new, but it is growing. Quick Printing's research last year revealed that, among Top 100 frms, the percentage of revenues coming from the "Brokered/Other Services" category leaped to more than 30 percent from just under 13 percent the previous year. "I'd say that these numbers ft well with what we are see- ing," said Preston Herrin, sales/marketing VP at 4over, "in terms of our revenue growth and the percentage of new customers joining 4over. Our business model continues to resound with customers. Our 'printer' constituency is a segment that is growing rapidly. Rather than invest their hard-earned capital into fxed assets, they can use us to develop markets, scale up, and then justify investments." On the other side of the capital-investment coin are printers who are shedding legacy equipment, according to Jeff Guevara, business development coordinator at ASAP Printing. "Between maintenance costs and the costs of running plate setters, etc., a lot of printers are getting rid of old iron," Guevara pointed out. "The volumes are not there anymore—and they can get 'same as' or better quality going with us." Fellow trade printer DFS is listening to similar feedback. "We hear constantly from our accounts about technological changes and how outsourcing is becoming more proftable for many of them, especially services such as fulfllment on the back end," reported Madeline Burak, channel mar- keting manager for DFS. Like ASAP, its printer customers Who Does YOUR PRINTING? come in all sizes, she noted, ranging from small "mom- and-pop" and medium sized shops to large, established commercial printers, both franchises and independents. Wide Breadth of Products ASAP Printing is seeing one- and two-color work explode. "A lot of those presses are going away," said Guevara, a 35-year print industry veteran who has been with ASAP since 2009. "Even fnding skilled press operators is a chal- lenge. We've lowered our pricing and have our effciencies under control; plus, we can match PMS colors." The com- pany offers two-color capabilities in all three of its plants and has upgraded related equipment in the North Carolina and Utah facilities. ASAP has gone wide, too, adding large-format banner printing capabilities to its product mix, which its website will soon refect, Guevara added. "We are expanding into different substrates," he reported. 4over, meanwhile, now with eight manufacturing sites across North America, embarked on a major expansion of products last year. "We introduced more than 800 prod- ucts or options in 2014 alone, which we expect to have a big impact on 2015," Herrin noted. One notable product grouping addition is custom packaging, including roll labels. "Both packaging and large format have been big winners thanks to new equipment additions," he added, "as are greeting cards and envelopes, which made for a beautiful November and December. Holiday products now are available in several different sizes and substrates." DFS also is seeing traction with promo product offerings, especially with color print volumes, according to senior channel marketing specialist Wendy Flaherty. In 2013 the company launched a full-color dealer website (www. dfsfullcolor.com) that touts fast turnaround times and 24/7 access for price quotations. Reorders are also easier. This past summer, DFS launched its "Signature Pack- aging" line, featuring hot-stamped inks and foils on bags,

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Quick Printing - JAN 2015