Joel Quadracci, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quad, said: “I am proud of the strategic and financial progress we made in 2024 as we continue to advance our revenue diversification strategy on our path to Net Sales growth, which we estimate in our mid-term outlook will happen between 2027 and 2028. Our full-year 2024 results reflect our disciplined operating performance, including increased profitability margins and continued strong cash generation that we used to further reduce debt despite the expected decrease in sales. “As we communicated at our 2024 Investor Day in November, we are confident in our vision, the Quad brand and our market positioning for driving future diversified growth. Through our conversations with existing and prospective clients, we continue to win print segment share and gain distinction as a marketing experience, or MX, company with a tailored suite of solutions that is uniquely flexible, scalable and connected. Not only are we able to remove friction from wherever it occurs in the marketing journey, we also optimize media and marketing performance through integration, which improves outcomes for our clients as they move seamlessly across all our services."

The Washington Department of Ecology (DoE) has reignited concerns within the printing industry by including printing inks in its latest Safer Products Report, despite previous setbacks in regulating inadvertent polychlorinated biphenyls (iPCBs) in pigments. PRINTING United Alliance has actively opposed these efforts since 2022, successfully preventing legislation that would have banned chlorinated pigments in inks. However, a new challenge emerged in January 2024 when DoE petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to tighten iPCB limits under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The EPA denied this request in April, stating that DoE failed to provide evidence that inks contribute significantly to iPCBs or pose a health risk. Despite this, DoE is again pushing to regulate inks, claiming that non-chlorinated alternatives exist — without offering legal justification or scientific backing. PRINTING United Alliance submitted strong opposition comments before the December 31, 2024, deadline, highlighting that DoE has neither proven the necessity of regulation nor identified viable ink alternatives.

Amsive, a leading performance marketing agency, announced today that Michael Coppola will succeed Brad Moore as Chief Executive Officer, effective February 1, 2025. Coppola, who has served as Amsive’s President since 2021, brings extensive experience and a deep commitment to advancing the company’s mission of delivering innovative, client-focused marketing solutions. Moore, who first joined as President in 2015 and has served as CEO since 2017, developed Amsive’s vision, and led its evolution for the past decade. He will transition into an advisory role, continuing to support the company’s next phase of growth. “Leading Amsive over the past ten years has been a great privilege,” said Brad Moore. “We’ve built a special company and culture through transformative growth, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together as a team. Mike’s leadership as our president these past three years has been integral to our success, and his vision and experience make him the ideal person to lead Amsive into its next chapter. I look forward to supporting him and the team in my new role.” 

RRD, a global provider of marketing, packaging, print, and supply chain solutions, is investing in first-to-market robotic technologies and advanced digital print presses from HP to transform its Austell, GA facility into a state-of-the-art commercial print hub. The investment doubles the site’s workforce and sets a benchmark for rapid, high-volume digital production and automation. The investment enables RRD to deliver high-speed, high-quality, variable print-on-demand services to meet evolving client demand and anticipated industry shifts. The Austell site features HP’s new Indigo 120K Digital Press and PageWide Advantage 2200 with HP Brilliant Ink. The equipment is designed to empower high-volume production businesses by delivering speed, reliability, and cost-efficiency.

Modern Litho announces a significant expansion of its direct mail capabilities at its St. Louis location. The company has recently onboarded several key employees with extensive industry experience in direct mail, enhancing its ability to deliver high-quality solutions. Among the new additions is Richie Graham, a seasoned professional 33-year industry veteran with a strong background in direct mail sales and operations. Graham's impressive track record includes owning and managing a successful St. Louis-based direct mail company, as well as delivering top sales results. This strategic move brings a wealth of expertise to Modern Litho St. Louis, including: •Advanced direct mail proficiency •Sophisticated data processing skills •Comprehensive warehouse management experience

RRD announced that it has successfully closed on the strategic acquisition of Williams Lea, a provider of tech-enabled business services to financial, legal and professional services firms worldwide. The acquisition was first announced December 20, 2024. Through the acquisition, Williams Lea will join RRD’s Digital, Creative and Business Services segment to further strengthen and expand its position as a transformation partner for business services and productivity solutions. This investment also complements the segment’s digital marketing capabilities that include a suite of full-funnel media, measurement and proprietary marketing technology offerings.

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) has presented Tweddle Group its Consultation Education and Training (CET) Gold Award. Tweddle Group, a top provider of product support and information technology, earned the award for its exceptional commitment to workplace safety and health. “Our team members should be proud of this award,” said Tweddle Group President Todd Headlee. “The company works hard to be self-sufficient in its safety systems. This validates all that effort—we’ve not only met the standard OSHA requirements, but we’ve also gone further to meet the CET criteria.”

It’s been 41 years since the annual Printing Impressions list of the largest printing companies in the U.S. and Canada first launched. It was 500 companies for decades, but over the years it decreased in size due to industry consolidation and other factors. Although it has changed over the years, it continues to serve as the pulse of the industry. You’ll notice on this year's list more than a few companies on the list experienced significant growth or decline between their previous and current fiscal year sales. Although companies don’t disclose the reasons for such changes, we did have the chance to speak with a few companies that experienced significant growth in our annual Fast-Track Firms article (we will publish those profiles in the coming weeks). These companies — such as No. 38 Phoenix, Arizona's Prisma Graphic (66% growth) or No. 94 Winston-Salem, North Carolina's Salem One (35% growth) — noted investments — whether into technology, other businesses, relationships and customers, or target markets — as the primary drivers of success.

Tidewater Direct announced the integration of the Notepad Store into its Centreville printing operation. The Notepad Store, of Wallingford Connecticut, was a well-known manufacturer of generic notepads for non-profit agencies and the trade since 2017 led by President Kevin Corbett. Tidewater Direct is known for high-quality direct mail printing, to include continuous forms printing, commercial inkjet printing and finishing to the trade, pharmaceutical printing, and direct mail generic insert printing. Common generic formats include buck slips, terms and conditions, generic letters of all types. With its fleet of conventional and inkjet presses, to include Sunday 2000s, Sanden 1500s, and Screen 520 HD and NX inkjets, Tidewater is well-positioned to vertically integrate with the Notepad Store’s padding equipment to offer a full-service solution for direct mail, pharmaceutical and retail pads. “This integration demonstrates our commitment to our business model and to our clients,” remarked Geoff Eisenberg, President and Chief Operating Officer of Tidewater when asked about the philosophy behind this acquisition. “We’re excited to offer this new product to our clients and feel that we’ll create a value proposition that makes a lot of sense in this space.”

At Schumann Printers (SPI), we are excited to announce the latest addition to our production line: a Kodak Magnus VLF with the fastest speed head available in the Magnus series. We are thrilled to expand our capabilities with this second Magnus system. The decision to acquire an additional Kodak Magnus was driven by our commitment to meeting the growing demands of our clients while maintaining the high standards of quality and timeliness they expect. This Magnus complements our existing equipment, allowing us to further streamline our prepress operations and improve overall efficiency. Dan Schumann, President of Schumann Printers, shared his thoughts on the acquisition: “Adding a second Kodak Magnus to our production lineup underscores our dedication to delivering on-time, high-quality results. This additional system enhances our ability to meet tight deadlines and support our clients’ diverse needs.”

Schumann Printers (SPI) is pleased to announce the latest enhancements to our production capabilities with the purchase of new Sim bases for our tabbers on the Primera Pro and Tempo 22 saddle stitchers. Additionally, we have invested in a new Sim book flipper and mail table for the SP 1000 saddle stitcher, enabling us to implement a new style of inkjetters for addressing books. These upgrades are part of our ongoing commitment to improving efficiency, simplifying processes, and staying ahead in the ever-evolving printing industry. The new Sim bases for our tabbers will optimize the performance of the Primera Pro and Tempo 22, ensuring smooth, reliable operation and reducing downtime.

Walsworth, a family-owned printing company based in Marceline, Missouri, recently announced that it will acquire Documation on Jan. 1, 2025, bringing it into the Walsworth brand. Documation will be renamed Walsworth – Eau Claire, and will be Walsworth’s eighth facility, joining the company’s locations in Marceline, Brookfield and Fulton, Missouri; Overland Park, Kansas; Saint Joseph, Michigan; and Ripon, Wisconsin. Documation was founded in 1994, and for the last three decades, the company has offered print on demand services, utilizing digital inkjet printing technology to serve its customer base. Priding itself on its commitment to customer service, Documation has been praised by its customers for its flexibility and ease of doing business. These characteristics made it an ideal candidate to become part of Walsworth.

RRD announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Advent to acquire Williams Lea, a provider of tech-enabled business support services to financial, legal and professional services firms worldwide. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025, pending regulatory clearance and customary closing conditions. Through the acquisition, Williams Lea will join RRD’s Digital, Creative and Business Support Services segment to further strengthen and expand its position as a transformation partner for business support and productivity solutions. This investment also complements the segment’s digital marketing capabilities that include a suite of full-funnel media, measurement and proprietary marketing technology offerings. Williams Lea is trusted by global clients to transform business processes in complex and highly regulated environments. Williams Lea clients will benefit from RRD’s client-centric approach, global reach and focus on leading technology. Williams Lea will maintain its brand name as part of RRD.

CJK Group, Inc. has celebrated a year-long journey of growth and realignment with many pivotal events setting the course for a dynamic future in the publishing industry and beyond. February 2024 saw the acquisition of Kodi Collective LLC, a leading portfolio of full spectrum print and creative marketing solutions spanning multiple print facilities and a full-service photography/ videography and creative studio with a network of over 400 validated suppliers. Kodi’s breadth of offerings, capabilities, and core values were instantly recognized as a perfect complement to CJK Group’s market-leading Sheridan® family of print solutions. Perhaps the most strategic developments in 2024 came from the thoughtful rebranding of Kodi Collective’s diverse offerings. In September, the three Kodi commercial digital print facilities were relaunched under the well-known Digital Lizard™ brand. The end of October marked the rebranding of Kodi’s Marketing Execution and Creative Production capabilities, once again under a highly regarded brand – Continuum™.

Flint Group, a leading supplier of inks and coatings for the global print and packaging industry, announces the launch of its Sustainability Report for the 2023 financial year, which details the company’s progress against its ambitious sustainability targets. The report details substantial advancements for Flint Group’s commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility and highlights notable gains made against the three pillars of its PRISM framework – Product, Planet, and People. The detailed update details key achievements made throughout 2023. In 2023, Flint Group reduced its total energy consumption by 15% compared with the previous year, while its use of renewable energy grew from 16% to 24% in the same period.

The U.S. Government Publishing Office’s (GPO) print procurement program awarded $469.2 million in contracts with private-sector printing companies across the country to meet the printing and publishing needs of Federal agencies in fiscal year 2024. This work represented more than 73,00 orders. Nearly 75 percent of all printing ordered by Federal agencies from GPO is performed by private sector firms working under contract with the Agency. GPO typically competitively awards contracts to approximately 1,000 printing contractors a year. Nearly 10,000 companies are registered to do business with the Agency, using GPO as their one-stop shop for print and related services contract opportunities. In fiscal year 2024, GPO awarded jobs to vendors in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. GPO’s relationship with the private sector dates back to the 1940s. This program provides significant economic opportunity for the printing industry and local economies.

Perfection Press and Total Printing Systems (TPS), based in Newton IL, are pleased to announce that on December 13, 2024, Perfection Press and its commercial book printing operations have become part of TPS. We are also excited that the Perfection Press sales and support team, led by Mike Riley and David Broxterman, will also be joining TPS. To improve efficiency, book printing and binding operations of Perfection Press will be consolidated into TPS’s Newton facilities. “Our goal is to continue to offer the personalized, high-quality solutions and support of Perfection Press,” stated RJ Lindemann, Vice President of TPS. “TPS is family-owned and operated business that specializes in short-run book manufacturing (tps1.com). For over 50 years, we’ve provided high-quality products and services to our customers, while also providing a quality workplace for our employees. Our team of over 70 people continues to grow and expand, and we have nothing but optimism for the future of the printed book.”

TPM Graphics, a full-service commercial printer in Arlington Heights, IL, recently installed a new Versafire LV from HEIDELBERG. This latest addition complements a Versafire EP installed in 2021. Designed to manage substantial monthly print volumes, the Versafire LV allows TPM Graphics to optimize its workload as it increasingly shifts towards digital production. This installation marks the company’s fifth Versafire purchase since 2013, underscoring its confidence in HEIDELBERG’s digital solutions and its commitment to delivering high-quality printed products for its clients. TPM Graphics, who specializes in printing for the healthcare and insurance industries, recently completed upgrading and expanding various parts of its “production arsenal.” Started in 1985, the company began digital print production nearly fifteen years ago and installed its first HEIDELBERG digital press a few years later.

"Once again, we posted solid quarterly results and therefore ended the fiscal year on a strong note," said Thomas Morin, President and Chief Executive Officer of TC Transcontinental. "I am very pleased with the excellent results for fiscal 2024 and would like to thank our teams for their disciplined work in reducing costs and improving profitability. "In our Packaging Sector, despite the ongoing pressure on our medical market activities, we reported a 6.5% increase in adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization for the quarter, mainly as a result of our cost reduction initiatives. For the fiscal year 2024, our adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization amounted to $262.2 million, up 14.2% compared to the prior year. "In our Retail Services and Printing Sector, we recorded an increase in adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization for a second consecutive quarter. The actions taken to improve our cost structure, a more favourable product mix, including the roll-out of raddar™, as well as growth in our in-store marketing activities, continue to show results.

Sun Chemical will increase prices for parts of its pigment portfolio, effective January 1, 2025. Due to the rising costs of raw materials and production driven by inflation, along with ongoing efforts to comply with sustainability regulations, production expenses have significantly risen and necessitated the price increase. “While this price adjustment is essential to continue delivering innovative and reliable products in a challenging economic environment, Sun Chemical understands the impact of these changes on our customers,” said Brian Panczyk, President of Color Materials, Sun Chemical. “We will monitor these changing industry costs and work to limit further increases while continuing to maintain the highest quality and service standards for our customers.”

CJK Group, the parent company of Sheridan and Kodi Collective, has announced the realization of its strategic vision for their February 2024 acquisition of Kodi: bringing Kodi’s three offset print facilities into the Sheridan family. This tactical move marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Sheridan, industry leader in print and publishing services for book, journal, and magazine publishers, as well as catalogers. The addition of Kodi’s three high-performing print facilities to Sheridan’s nine state-of-the-art production sites positions the company to redefine excellence in the print industry. As Sheridan continues to expand its footprint through this powerful integration, the company strengthens its already stellar reputation in its marketplaces, enhancing the breadth and scope of its service offerings and extending its hallmark Sheridan Experience to current and future clients. That experience underscores Sheridan’s well-known commitment to innovation and unwavering dedication to ensuring that every client interaction is characterized by exceptional service and tailored solutions.

Two Sides North America (TSNA) is pleased to announce that Troi Mailing Services Inc. has joined its membership. Troi Mailing Services is a Smartmail Marketing Expert Partner, and a provider of Canadian & International Direct Mail media. For over 30 years, Troi Mailing has provided printing, direct mail, postage, and distribution expertise to their customers and has joined with Two Sides to educate companies on why sustainable marketing mail is the right choice to reduce the impact their marketing has on the environment. “I am very excited for Troi Mailing to be part of this community that is finally pushing back against unsubstantiated green claims,” shared Kirk Barton, CEO.“ It’s great to have the resources to defend and promote the truer value of using paper. With the resources provided by Two Sides North America, Troi can offensively promote print and direct mail and quash any unfounded claims as to why digital or paperless communications solely might be better.”

RRD is expanding its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction plan from manufacturing locations in the United States and Mexico to worldwide locations, now including Asia, Europe, and Latin America. RRD made significant progress towards its global 10 year 25% GHG emissions reduction goal by realizing a GHG reduction of more than 12.5% in 2023 when compared to its 2022 baseline. The annual emissions data and reduction in emissions are third-party verified and will be disclosed in the 2024 response to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), a nonprofit that runs the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states, and regions to manage their environmental impacts.

Walsworth announced it has hired sales executive Stephanie Maday as the company’s new Executive Vice President of Commercial Sales and Board Member. Maday will be replacing Walsworth’s current Executive VP of Commercial Sales, David Grisa, who is retiring from the company in November. Maday will be based out of Walsworth’s Sales and Marketing office in Overland Park, Kansas. Maday comes to Walsworth with nearly 25 years of sales and management experience, more than 20 of it at Taylor Corporation in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area working for client 3M Promotional Markets. She started as a sales representative and rose through the ranks to become National Sales Manager. During her tenure at 3M, Maday gained print product sales experience with large and small roll-fed presses, silk screening, flexo presses and digital presses.

TC Transcontinental announces the sale of its industrial packaging operations to Hood Packaging Corporation for a price of US$95 million (about C$132 million1) subject to working capital adjustments. These operations generated approximately US$50 million (about C$68 million2) in revenues during the last twelve months ended July 28, 2024. The Corporation anticipates using the net proceeds to continue reducing net debt in line with its business priorities. This will increase its flexibility in capital allocation, including targeted acquisitions in growth segments. “Industrial packaging is a solid business. However, after operating it for several years, we concluded that it offers few synergies with the rest of our portfolio, and is not core to our Packaging Sector’s growth strategy,” said Thomas Morin, President and Chief Executive Officer of TC Transcontinental. “We are pleased for our employees that Hood Packaging, a family-controlled company like TC Transcontinental whose industrial packaging business is core to their activities, is the buyer.” Hood Packaging is acquiring TC Transcontinental’s Thomasville, North Carolina, packaging operations and building, and 138 employees are being transferred. Hood Packaging is also acquiring the industrial packaging business of TC Transcontinental’s Ontario, California plant, which represents approximately 15% of this plant’s revenues. Roop Nangia, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Beverage, TC Transcontinental Packaging, added: “We sincerely thank all of our talented employees for their contribution, commitment and performance.”

Joel Quadracci, Chairman, President and CEO of Quad, said: “During the third quarter, we continued our focus on differentiating ourselves as a marketing experience, or MX, company, including investments in innovative solutions that align with our growth priorities. I am pleased to report that our in-store retail media network is expanding and producing measurable results for both retailers and consumer brands. Already, we have launched a test phase of In-Store Connect by Quad in 15 stores with The Save Mart Companies and are rolling out testing phases with two additional grocery chains by year end. “In the third quarter, we also announced an exciting collaboration with Google Cloud to launch AI-powered solutions that will enable brands to create highly personalized content at scale across multiple marketing channels. By combining our data expertise with Google Cloud’s advanced AI capabilities, we not only will improve audience targeting, but will also reimagine how brands connect with consumers through streamlined, automated solutions that drive impactful results without compromising their unique brand voice.

Mittera announces the acquisition of Rex3, a Florida-based commercial printer known for its expertise in specialty print production, direct mail, and trading card manufacturing. This acquisition strengthens Mittera’s portfolio of services while providing Rex3 clients access to Mittera’s national platform and integrated technology and creative service solutions. “This acquisition allows us to accelerate our growth strategy by adding specialized manufacturing capabilities and tapping into the surging collectibles market,” said Jon Troen, CEO of Mittera. “Rex3’s clients will now benefit from Mittera’s nationwide footprint and cutting-edge technology, ensuring we meet the evolving needs of today’s marketplace.”

Quad/Graphics, Inc. announced that it has completed the ninth amendment to the Company’s April 28, 2014, bank debt agreement to: (1) reduce the aggregate amount of the existing revolving credit facility from $342.5 million to $324.6 million, and extend the maturity of a portion of the revolving credit facility such that $17.7 million under the revolving credit facility will be due on the existing maturity date of November 2, 2026 and $306.9 million under the revolving credit facility will be due on October 17, 2029; (2) extend the maturity of a portion of the existing term loan facility such that $14.5 million of such term loan facility will be due on the Existing Maturity Date and $351.3 million will be due on the Extended Maturity Date; (3) make certain adjustments to pricing, including an increase of .50% to the interest rate margin applicable to the loans maturing on the Extended Maturity Date; and (4) modify certain financial and operational covenants. Tony Staniak, Quad Chief Financial Officer, said: “We are pleased to have completed the amendment and extension of our $690 million bank debt agreement, which extends the maturity to October 2029, due to our strong relationships with a syndicate of premier banks and our disciplined financial management. By the end of 2024, we anticipate we will have reduced our debt by over $670 million, or 65%, from January 1, 2020, and we will continue to focus on debt reduction with our capital allocation. This debt extension provides us with additional financial flexibility to focus on the growth and development of our offerings as a marketing experience company while returning capital to our shareholders.”

Optimum Group, a leading supplier of self-adhesive labels and flexible packaging, has improved the recyclability of its shrink sleeves after adopting Flint Group’s Evolution range of primers and varnishes, designed to enhance packaging label recycling. Evolution Deinking Primer is applied to the substrate before the ink to provide strong ink adhesion throughout the life of the label. It enables the ink to be released (de-inked) into the recycling caustic wash and the substrate to be broken down into flakes, allowing for more than 99% recyclability. Marcel Tuyn, Technical Sales Manager at Flint Group, said, “Working with Optimum Group’s Wellen team has been a fantastic experience, and we’re delighted that they have achieved success thanks to our Evolution Deinking Primer.

CJK Group, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has acquired Accucoms, the leading provider of sales and marketing services to academic and professional publishers, and integrated it with its comprehensive content solutions subsidiary, KnowledgeWorks Global Ltd. (KGL). Based in the Netherlands with teams operating in the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America, Middle East and North Africa, Turkey, India, China, South Korea and Southeast Asia, Accucoms specializes in global representation, tele-sales, training, and business intelligence services for clients ranging from large publishing houses to specialist society publishers. With a strong presence in key markets, Accucoms connects publishers with libraries and other information users to help expand their reach and impact.

The Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP) is pleased to announce that The Gilman Brothers Company, a leading manufacturer of foamboard products for signage and displays, has renewed its status as a Gold Patron. This renewal reflects the company’s continued dedication to sustainability and its leadership in integrating eco-friendly solutions within the printing and display industries. “We are excited to have The Gilman Brothers Company renew their commitment as a Gold Patron,” said Theresa Vanna, SGP Board Chair. “Their focus on environmental responsibility and their innovative approach to sustainability in materials manufacturing sets an example in the industry. We value their ongoing support and look forward to continuing our partnership to drive positive change.”

Transcontinental inc. announces an important milestone in its sustainability journey. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has approved TC Transcontinental’s near-term science-based emissions reduction targets. From now on, these targets will serve as TC Transcontinental’s primary measurement of progress on its sustainability objectives, including energy efficiency, clean energy procurement, and the commercialization of sustainable packaging solutions such as recycle-ready packaging solutions as well as the integration of post-consumer resin (PCR) into packaging products. “We are now in a better position to support our customers on their own sustainability journeys, and better suited to focus our actions on what matters the most to fight climate change,” said Alex Hayden, Senior Vice President, R&D, Sustainability and ESG, TC Transcontinental. “As an industry leader in Packaging, Retail Services and Printing, we know our stakeholders expect us to mitigate climate risks while capitalizing on growth opportunities. We believe this new commitment is fully in line with those expectations.”

When you work in a segment of the printing industry that is “one document away from a major disaster” every single day, it’s imperative that quality and accuracy remain a primary focus. Chris Kropac Jr., president of PCI Group based in Fort Mill, South Carolina, points to this as a driving factor behind the transactional mail printing company’s dedication to a “culture of quality” and, ultimately, to its continued growth. Even though PCI Group was named a “2024 Innovator of the Year,” Kropac says innovation in the transactional printing space “sounds like an oxymoron.” And yet, through very intentional and “innovative” practices, PCI Group has been able to set itself apart from competitors by growing its volume by five times and its revenue by seven times in the past 17 years.

Saothair Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused exclusively on investing in middle-market manufacturing and industrial companies, announced today that its portfolio company Arandell Corporation has acquired the business and assets of the Maple Grove, MN, facility from the CJK Group. Arandell is one of the nation's leading providers of high-quality catalog and brochure printing, mailing and logistics. Maple Grove was previously acquired as part of CJK Group's acquisition of Kodi Collective from LSC Communications in February of 2024.

Being a debt-free company that invests an average of $8 million into new technology each year, Freedom Graphic Systems embodies everything you would expect from an innovator. The Milton, Wisconsin-based direct mail printer serves its clients with the data-driven, personalized mailing solutions they need. Founded in 1986 by CEO Marty Liebert, the company wasn’t always a direct mail powerhouse. Its early days were primarily filled with forms printing, outsourcing laser imaging and enveloping to other letter shops. Liebert saw erosion in the forms business and an opportunity to bring more value to his customers by adding more services, explains Eric Blohm, president and chief operating officer at Freedom.

Sheridan, a leading provider of printing solutions for the publishing industry, recently welcomed associates from some of the nation’s top publishing companies to its Print Masterclass held at its Versailles, KY facility. This extensive program was designed to give participants a comprehensive understanding of the print production process, from file preparation to bound book, offering valuable insights into industry best practices. Sheridan’s inaugural Print Masterclass brought together ten participants from Penguin Random House and Hachette who took part in educational sessions, hands-on demonstrations, and a plant tour. They left with an enhanced understanding of the technical and creative aspects of print production, allowing them to apply these insights directly to their roles in publishing. “It’s always a rewarding experience to exchange ideas and bridge the gap between what publishers do at their desks and what happens on the production floor,” said Rich Letchinger, VP of Trade and Education Book Sales at Sheridan.

Commingling direct mail is a strategic process that helps businesses and organizations save on postage costs and speed up delivery times. This technique, relevant to letter rate standard and nonprofit mailings, merges mail pieces from multiple companies into a single, optimized mail stream. Let’s dive into how commingling works and explore the benefits and value it brings to your mailing campaigns. 4 Steps of Commingling: 1. Collection and Preparation 2. Sorting and Processing 3. Presorting and Bundling 4. USPS Delivery

11 Thought Leaders present their views on what lies ahead. Tony’s Chocolonely’s is the fastest-growing major chocolate brand in the UK. Kesh is the B2B Sales Manager at Tony’s Chocolonely. She is here to explain the story behind the brand, an impact company, committed to ending exploitation in cocoa and how they are using the power of personalised print. She leads the personalised bars business in the UK, working with businesses to drive awareness of their mission, get more personalised bars into more hands and drive impact.

Our six Printing Impressions' 2024 Innovators of the Year were nominated by printing industry experts and consultants who identified them as pushing the boundaries of innovation. The business tactics and philosophies they employ may provide some inspiration to take your company to similar, greater heights. The summary of Blooming Color that follows shares what makes this company innovative, interesting, and exceptional. The insight it presents may provide the inspiration you need to take your company to a new level, or in a new direction. If you were to look at Blooming Color today, would you ever guess that it all started as a Minuteman Press franchise?

The proposed duties “have the potential to devastate entire industry segments, increase costs for businesses and their customers, jeopardize jobs, limit supply, and threaten the viability of many American small businesses,” a coalition of publishers and other businesses wrote on Friday in a letter to the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). The letter continues, “The printing, publishing, paper-producing, and mailing industries employ account for approximately 8.5 million jobs in the United States and represent five percent of the nation’s total civilian labor force. Our industries are already trying to navigate significant financial challenges, and the preliminary duties on aluminum printing plates that are currently in place are making matters worse.

Highlights: *Revenues of $700.0 million for the quarter ended July 28, 2024; operating earnings of $69.2 million; and net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation of $43.6 million ($0.50 per share). *Adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization(1) of $121.0 million for the quarter ended July 28, 2024; adjusted operating earnings(1) of $84.2 million; and adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation(1) of $51.4 million ($0.60 per share). *Growth in adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization(1) of 12.1%, with an increase of 20.6% in the Packaging Sector and of 12.4% in the Retail Services and Printing Sector. *Sale of a building for an amount of $7.1 million. *Repurchase of 1.2 million shares during the quarter ended July 28, 2024, for a total consideration of $17.7 million.

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. today reported it is exhibiting its newest production-level digital inkjet printers, and displaying brilliant applications and samples produced from their broad portfolio of sign and display graphics, packaging, and textile printers at the PRINTING United Expo, running September 10-12 in Las Vegas. EFI™ is in booth SL7005 at the show. “We’re happy to be back at the PRINTING United Expo again this year, the premier printing show in the United States,” said Frank Pennisi, EFI’s CEO. “This year, we’re announcing the debut of two brand-new printers alongside several new innovations that impressed crowds at drupa and other events earlier this summer. This show enables us to reconnect face-to-face with customers and partners and reaffirm our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. We’re here to deliver innovation that sharpens our customers’ competitive edge, enabling them to increase productivity, drive efficiencies into their processes, lower costs, and grow profit margins.”

Artisan Colour, a leader in commercial printing and color management, today announced its acquisition of MarComm, a digital marketing agency known for its sophisticated cross-channel strategies and advanced integration techniques. "This acquisition brings together two industry leaders with distinct, complementary specialties under one roof, creating a unique synergy that sets us apart from other print-digital partnerships," said Doug Bondon, CEO and Founder of Artisan Colour. Integrating MarComm's digital marketing team will dramatically expand Artisan Colour's capabilities, infusing the company with specialized knowledge in digital strategies and technologies.

Digital Lizard is a leading digital printer offering high-quality, specialty print solutions. With facilities in Mahwah, NJ; Las Vegas, NV; and Post Falls, ID, Digital Lizard provides a wide range of printed products and on-demand ordering and fulfillment services. Their diverse clientele includes small businesses, designers, high-end real estate agencies, franchises, travel and hospitality brands, and corporations with large sales forces. In March 2023, Digital Lizard was integrated into Kodi Collective to meet market demands for more streamlined marketing execution services. Following the acquisition of Kodi Collective by CJK Group in February 2024, the holding company recognized an opportunity to reach a broader and more diverse audience with Kodi Collective’s advanced digital print capabilities and equipment. This prompted the decision to revive the Digital Lizard brand, enabling the company to deliver more focused and personalized service to its customers.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of six new models in its imagePROGRAF Series of large-format inkjet printers1. The new models are specifically designed to meet the high-speed, large-volume printing needs of the CAD drawing and poster markets, offering improved color quality, enhanced productivity, and labor-saving features over previous models. The new imagePROGRAF TZ-32000 is tailored for the architectural, engineering, construction, design, and manufacturing sectors, designed to high-speed output to help accommodate the demands for high productivity. Meanwhile, the new imagePROGRAF TX-3200/4200 caters to a broader range of printing needs, including the production of distribution and retail posters, corporate and government bulletin boards, and technical drawings. Each model is designed to further boost productivity, enhance poster quality, and support vibrant color outputs, helping businesses to expand their print production capabilities.

Electronics For Imaging, Inc., is showcasing the winning production capabilities of its versatile industrial inkjet portfolio at the 2024 AICC/TAPPI SuperCorrExpo in Orlando. With its broad range of preferred solutions, EFI™ continues to push the boundaries of industrial digital printing to help independent sheet plants, box manufacturers, and integrated paper and packaging producers drive greater efficiency, sustainability and profitability. EFI stands out as the only company to offer both water-based and UV ink solutions for digital corrugated packaging printing, and the company’s packaging experts are at hand in booth #2711 to discuss breakthrough solutions such as the popular 1.4- meter-wide EFI Nozomi 14000 LED inkjet printer, as well as EFI’s new Nozomi 14000 AQ model featuring water-based inks.

Advantage ColorGraphics, the fast-growing LA-based printer counting the world’s most prominent brands and trade printers among its clientele, has ordered its second Landa Digital Printing press. Scheduled for delivery by the end of 2024, Advantage’s S11P will include 7 colors and the new 11K module supporting 11,200 SPH. “Advantage ColorGraphics has consistently pushed the boundaries of consumer communications and marketing, earning the company a seat at the table with some of the world’s most prestigious providers,” says Landa’s Chief Business Officer, Sharon Cohen.

Graphic Arts Advisors (GAA), a leading M&A advisory and consulting firm serving the printing, mailing, packaging, and graphic communications industries, is pleased to announce the recently completed sale of Action Printing of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin to Marketing.com, headquartered in Eureka, MO with multiple locations throughout the U.S. Michael Wurst, Managing Director of GAA, acted as the lead advisor on this engagement. Action Printing has been in business for over 40 years and is a large commercial printing company that specializes in large multi-page perfect bound catalogs and books. The company produces short to medium runs on uncoated text paper with optional gloss covers and sections. The buyer, Marketing.com, will continue to operate the facility as part of their growing network, employee positions were maintained, and production at the facility continues, now with the added support of the Marketing.com executive team and resources. The facility was purchased as part of the transaction.

You have a lot on your plate as a publisher of local periodicals like city/regional magazines. Many of these publications require high-end production for a readership that views them as a luxury item. Readers cherish each issue and expect it to arrive on time and in pristine condition. There’s no room for error. Yet the printing and distribution of city/regional magazines is challenging. But that’s not your problem – it’s ours. And as an experienced printer and distributor of geographic-based publications, we have some advice.

As the fall season ushers in new beginnings and the start of a new school year, Royle Printing is excited to continue its cherished tradition of hosting the annual backpack drive for the children and grandchildren of its employees. This year, 52 students, ranging from preschool to high school, have signed up to receive backpacks and gift cards to purchase school supplies for the year ahead. This event has become a staple of the Royle Printing culture, bringing together employees and their families in support of the next generation’s educational journey. "We look forward to this event and tradition every year," said Chris Carpenter, President and owner of Royle Printing. There’s something so exciting about the fall and the start of a new school year. Since I bought the business in the early 2000s, this has always been something I eagerly anticipate. It’s been neat to see the students grow through the years, with some even joining the team as Royle associates. I hope everyone has a prosperous school year ahead."

Twelve trade groups in the printing and graphic communications industries are urging the International Trade Commission (ITC) to reject new tariffs on aluminum lithographic printing plate imports from Japan and China. “Additional duties on printing plates will lead to increased costs for printers and the businesses they serve, reduce competition in the printing plate market, and threaten the availability of quality printed materials for businesses and consumers alike,” the groups said in a letter to the ITC.

“Sun Chemical’s solutions for corrugated printing are designed to help drive successful recovery and continued growth of the corrugated packaging market,” said Jeremy Teachman, Product Manager–Paper Packaging and Corrugated, Sun Chemical. “Our full line of transformative, sustainable products, coupled with our digital color management tools available across North America, position Sun Chemical as the supplier of choice to help packaging converters achieve their goals.” Water-based Inks and Coatings *Designed to support high value packaging by performing at the cutting edge of the market, Sun Chemical’s SunVisto® Advantage® family of water-based flexographic inks... *Sun Chemical offers coating products to meet any demand in the market... *Sun Chemical’s SunVisto™ Anilox Cleaning Program includes a range of solutions... *SunJet, the preferred ink partner for transformational digital printing...

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. announced the availability of two more next-generation printers in its Wide Format Pro Series portfolio. Designed to help sign and display graphics producers be more competitive and grow their business, the EFI™ Pro 16h+ hybrid LED printer and the EFI Pro 30f+ flatbed LED printer deliver high-quality imaging at production speeds and even more printing capabilities – all with a low total cost of ownership (TCO). The 65-inch EFI Pro 16h+ hybrid flatbed/roll-fed LED printer offers outstanding image quality with resolutions up to 1200 dpi and true variable drop grayscale printing with a 5pL drop size, and production-level printing up to 50% faster than the Pro 16h printer. Production quality printing, new front and back media pressure rollers for handling a wider range of media, semi-continuous board feeding, an advanced, four chamber media-platen vacuum system with independent power controls for efficient media hold down and easy transition between jobs, and an embedded Fiery® proServer Core digital front end with FAST RIP acceleration technology make it ideal for higher-demand, faster job turn environments.

Country Pines, a family-owned full-service commercial printing company in Shoals, Indiana, recently installed a new Suprasetter 106 CtP from HEIDELBERG. The new Suprasetter, equipped with automated inline plate bending and Auto Pallet Loader, coupled with Prinect Production Manager, has helped increase the company’s productivity and improve throughput. Rather than follow market trends, Country Pines is a company that continues to evolve based on the needs of its customers. According to Chad Haycox, President of Country Pines, “Our philosophy has always been: how do we best serve our customers and how do we deliver in a way that they continue coming back?” The company, who specializes in book production for schools, churches, religious organizations, and other businesses, was previously outsourcing its 40” offset work to a partner company. Needing to keep up with customer demand, Country Pines decided to bring all production in-house by increasing plant size and adding a Speedmaster SX 102 from HEIDELBERG.

Second Quarter Financial Highlights and Recent Events • Total revenue of $69.3 million, down 3.3% from $71.7 million in the second quarter of 2023. • Envelope segment revenue of $49.5 million, up 0.4% from $49.2 million in the prior year. • Packaging and specialty products segment revenue of $19.9 million, down 11.4% from $22.4 million last year. • Net earnings were $2.0 million, compared to $2.1 million last year.

Embracing the theme ‘Experience. Transformation,’ Sun Chemical will present pioneering digital solutions designed to elevate business innovation across the industry. Visitors of booth #C3031 can explore the multitude of Sun Chemical’s products and services designed to transform printing capabilities, including offerings for direct-to-film, wide and super wide format, digital printing and more. “We are thrilled to showcase our solutions at this year’s PRINTING United Expo,” said Christine Medordi, Sales Manager – North America, Sun Chemical. “A premier exhibition for North America’s printing industry, this show gives us an opportunity to display how our printing technologies meet current market demands and offers us a chance to engage with both new and existing customers. We look forward to demonstrating how our products can drive transformative outcomes for their businesses.”

Konica Minolta offers the latest printing solutions, printing systems, services, and related supplies to help its customers better manage their business demands. As for professional inkjet printing, Konica Minolta offers advanced, high-performance solutions for digital production, including embellishment, label and packaging, and inkjet printing, catering to diverse professional printing needs with exceptional quality and efficiency. “Konica Minolta takes its environmental, social and governance responsibilities seriously. We aim to be a robust and innovative company that keeps evolving and contributing to the sustainable growth of society and individuals, and we use an ESG framework to navigate our efforts and obligations. Our activities on climate change, the circular economy, and cutting pollution are integral to our commitment. Konica Minolta is delighted to become a member of Two Sides,” says Malcolm Smith, Category Manager – Professional Print at Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd.

The Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP) is proud to announce that A3 Visual, a Los Angeles-based integrated visual solutions and event resource management company, has completed the rigorous process required to receive an SGP certification. “Companies like A3 Visual are standard bearers for the rest of the industry,” said SGP Board Chair Theresa Vanna. “Meeting SGP’s robust standards requires dedication, and the A3 Visual team has repeatedly demonstrated their dedication to sustainable practices across the full breadth of their operations.” Earning and keeping an SGP certification speaks to A3 Visual’s strong belief in creating a more sustainable future.

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results *Net Sales were $634 million in the second quarter of 2024, a decrease of 10% compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to lower print volumes, a higher mix of lower unit price gravure versus offset print in our magazine and catalog offerings from segment share wins, and lower paper and agency solutions sales, including the loss of a large grocery client. *Net Loss was $3 million in the second quarter of 2024 compared to $6 million in the same period in 2023. The improvement is primarily due to benefits from increased manufacturing productivity, savings from cost reduction initiatives and a $4 million gain on the sale of the Company’s minority investment in Manipal Technologies, partially offset by the impact from lower Net Sales.

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company announced that it has successfully closed on the strategic acquisition of digital and print marketing businesses from Vericast Corp ("Vericast"). The acquisition was first announced March 18, 2024. The acquisition of the digital and print marketing businesses from Vericast will expand RRD’s digital marketing offerings with capabilities across display advertising, dynamic mobile, and social media marketing. Additionally, it will also enhance RRD’s print marketing offering, including cooperative mail and print coupon clearing business. The combined capabilities will strengthen the company’s position across print and digital marketing, especially as a leader in marketing influence and activation.

Walsworth announced it has hired printing industry veteran Andy Billett as the company’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Billett will be replacing Walsworth’s current COO Jim Mead, who is retiring from the company in November and will be based out of Walsworth’s corporate office in Marceline, Missouri. Billett comes to Walsworth with 25-plus years of printing and senior leadership experience at Taylor Corporation, Custom Ink and Jostens. Once he began to explore the opportunity to join Walsworth, he said it was a perfect match. “Meeting Don Sr., Don, and the team at Marceline made me feel at home,” said Billett. “Walsworth reminded me of my days at Taylor Corporation – genuine, honest and sincere. The values and culture at Walsworth are very strong, and the Walsworths have a compelling growth strategy for the future. Discussing this strategy and my potential role, and how I can help the team achieve it, drew me in.”

Sun Chemical will increase prices across a broad portfolio of its inks in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), effective immediately. The supply chains of colour and white pigments have severely been impacted by diverse challenges in recent months, including cases of disruption, shortage, insolvency, anti-dumping import tax, as well as further increasing sea freight rates from Asia. These factors have been driving up the cost of Sun Chemical’s ink products, encompassing both colour and white inks. “The pressure across the supply chain is causing significant rise in inks raw material costs and unfortunately requires us to increase prices,” said Mehran Yazdani, President, Global Packaging and Advanced Materials, Sun Chemical. “We will continue to work with our sourcing partners to manage and minimise the impact on our customers.”

Allied Media, a small, family-owned company located in Fenton, Michigan, recently installed a new Speedmaster CX 104 from HEIDELBERG. The CX 104 is the first new press for Allied, who has historically invested in used presses. In just a few months, the press has significantly improved the company’s production metrics and increased throughput three-fold. Allied, known for its fast, dependable addressing and mailing department, services a nationwide customer base – ranging from political and union organizations to large automakers and small local businesses. “Our excellence in the printing industry has been hard earned and well maintained for almost thirty years,” said Randy Rockman, President of Allied. “Our turnaround time and delivery to USPS is unmatched as is our dedication to our customers.”

Lane Press announced that it has installed a second new Osako saddle stitch binding system within three months. This completes the company’s upgrade to its saddle stitch capabilities. Installation of this Osako Tener Alpha Saddle Stitcher has been completed, and the unit is fully operational. Like the first Osako Tener Alpha, this state-of-the-art binder is rated to produce 12,500 books per hour and includes automation capabilities that reduce setup and make-ready times. This Osako will replace an existing saddle stitcher, such that Lane’s bindery will boast four high-speed saddle stitch binders and two perfect binding lines. Lane’s configuration of this binder will include one cover feeder, six pocket feeders, 4th & 5th knife trimmers, high-speed addressing, and full automation feeding capabilities. The stitcher is capable of handling a wide range of piece sizes and thicknesses, including tabloid and digest format, oversized blow-ins, envelopes, cards, and light basis weight stocks.

At Royle Printing, we take pride in our attention to detail and our commitment to delivering high-quality print products. Our comprehensive quality control processes are designed to ensure that every piece that leaves our facility meets the highest standards of excellence. Here's an inside look at how we maintain our reputation for superior print quality. Press Quality Control Processes - Our press start-ups begin with clearly defined targets for density, mid-tone dot gain, and print contrast/color. Bindery Quality Control Processes - In the bindery, we maintain stringent quality control measures managed by experienced operators and managers. At Royle Printing, our quality control processes are not just about maintaining standards—they are about setting them. From press to bindery, every step is meticulously monitored and controlled to ensure that the final product exceeds our clients' expectations.

Sustainability is no longer just an option in today’s world – it's a necessity. As a result, a growing number of companies in the printing industry are taking significant strides to reduce their carbon footprint. One initiative leading this change is the Carbon Balanced Paper and Print program designed to offset carbon emissions of printing operations through the conservation efforts of World Land Trust (WLT). Globally, 78 printing companies have now carbon balanced their annual greenhouse gas emissions via the Carbon Balanced program. The program has been particularly successful in the UK and Ireland where 77 printers have signed up. The North American program, launched in late 2023, is gaining traction with the addition of its first printer, Hudson Printing from Salt Lake City. “Taking responsibility for our carbon impact was the natural next step, and we are thrilled to be part of the new Carbon Balanced Printer program in North America. Sustainability is important to the people at Hudson and important to our customers. While we work to reduce our carbon impact, we are delighted that our offset commitment supports the conservation efforts of World Land Trust,” says CEO and owner Paul Hudson.

Forty years in business is something to be celebrated. For Sussex, Wisconsin-based Color Ink, which is a third-generation family business, its 40th anniversary marked an opportunity for the company to celebrate its history and the people who helped the company grow, including past and present employees, clients, and vendors. We reached out to company president Todd Meissner to find out more about its 40-year celebration — called "The Reunion" — and why it's important to acknowledge and celebrate important milestones in a company's history. Printing Impressions (PI): Can you give a brief history of Color Ink? Meissner: Founded in 1984 by visionary Jim Meissner, Color Ink Printing Company has left an indelible mark on the Wisconsin printing landscape. What began as a modest venture has blossomed into a distinguished company known for its commitment to innovation, precision, and creative expression.

M13 Graphics, a leading online printer, has chosen a Landa Digital Printing Nanographic Printing Press to take on production of the company’s large portfolio of print products, M13 and Landa announced. M13 serves as an online printer for tens of thousands of customers nationwide and has printed several billion impressions since its opening in 2002. Moving jobs to the Landa will allow M13 to offer higher commercial-level quality, options including unlimited paper choices and inline coating, and expanded applications such as EPID and variable. The new capabilities will strengthen M13’s existing, competitive advantages in quality, cost and turnaround times.

Ennis, Inc. is pleased to announce its acquisition of Printing Technologies, Inc. (PTI) located in Indianapolis, IN. “PTI is a renowned brand with a diverse range of unique products and we are looking forward to leveraging these new capabilities to enhance Ennis’ product offerings,” said Keith Walters, Chairman, President & CEO of Ennis, Inc. “I want to extend a warm welcome to PTI’s employees and customers as they join the Ennis family.”

We are thrilled to announce that Schumann Printers received three awards at the 2024 Graphics Excellence Awards (GEA) hosted by the Great Lakes Graphics Association (GLGA). The GEA is one of the largest regional printing competitions in the nation, drawing entries from many leading printing companies. Schumann Printers proudly received three awards: 2 Best of Category Awards - Directories and Sourcebooks & Web Press Printing Coated Paper (4 or more colors) & 1 Best of Division Awards - Architectural/Art/Travel/Other Magazines

Quantum Group and Landa Digital Printing have announced that installation of the first Landa S11P Nanographic Printing Press in the US, at Quantum’s Chicago, plant, is now complete. The Landa S11P is Quantum’s second Landa press and one of two new B1 digital press models announced by Landa at a pre-drupa press briefing in March. The Landa S11 and S11P models offer 11,200 sph continuous print speed; Landa’s PrintAI for high fidelity, precision print quality; and additional modules that can be utilized for custom configurations. “We’ve purchased our second Landa press because the experience with the first has been so positive,” says Quantum Group CEO, Cheryl Kahanec. “The Landa press platform, overall, is opening a world of opportunity for us. From 41-inch sheet size and high speed to color range and substrate compatibility; Landa presses consistently – and sustainably – produce high end and variable content for so many different applications.” The additional capacity provided by the Landa S11P will help support growth that Quantum credits to the S10P’s positive impact on plant-wide production and new business. In addition, Kahanec believes that the company will now beat its timeline estimates for at least two new application initiatives.

Flint Group, a leading global producer of inks and coatings for the printing and packaging industries, has marked another key milestone in its sustainability journey by achieving overall B grades in Climate and Water disclosure through CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), with several A and A- grade performances in core individual areas. The achievement underlines Flint Group’s commitment to environmental transparency and sustainable practices. CDP is a non-profit organisation that grades businesses on their level of transparency in sustainability reporting using scoring from “D-“ through “A”. CDP describes a “B” score as indicative of environmental management – these companies have addressed the environmental impacts of the business. Organisations with “A” scoring exhibit leadership and demonstrate best practice in strategy and action. Under the CDP Climate disclosure criteria, Flint Group achieved an A grade in Scope 1 & 2 emissions and an A- grade in Scope 3 emissions. Under the CDP Water disclosure criteria, the business scored an A grade in Business Impacts and an A- grade in Water Policy.

The Great Lakes Graphics Association (GLGA) has revealed the second group of top winners of their 2024 Graphics Excellence Awards (GEAs). The announcement was made at their Wisconsin Awards Celebration held on June 12, 2024, at the Wisconsin Club in Milwaukee, WI. Best of Show, the competition’s highest honor, was awarded to Fey Printing of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, for their entry in the Promotional Campaigns – Consumer category entitled Rivage Bal Harbour. One judge noted, “This collection of marketing materials enclosed in an elegant wrapper functions as a fantasy fulfilled.”

Change continues to rock the book manufacturing business. Contracts for book printing and bindery services have declined as publishers pull back on new orders and work off the excess inventory that built up in response to demand during the Covid years. Print-on-demand book technologies are placing further downward pressure on traditional book manufacturing. Although there is widespread confidence that the printed book will survive the digital onslaught better than many other forms of print, there are shifts and cracks in the book printing world. Consolidators are buying companies with long histories and respected pedigrees that have served and continue to sell to the trade and educational publishers. At the same time, others are closing down huge manufacturing facilities as overall volumes decline in certain segments. On-demand digital ordering, prepress, and printing technologies, driven primarily by the plethora of installed highly productive continuous form inkjet printing devices, has reduced the need for publishers to order long runs and keep large inventories.

Highlights *Revenues of $683.2 million for the quarter ended April 28, 2024; operating earnings of $33.2 million; and net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation of $15.9 million ($0.18 per share). *Continued to roll-out raddar™. *Closed the Tomah, Wisconsin, plant on February 2, 2024 and the Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, plant on April 20, 2024 with a transfer of operations to other plants in the network, and ended the Publisac distribution activities in Québec.

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. reported that at drupa 2024, running through 7 June at Messe Düsseldorf, it is highlighting its expertise in proven single-pass printing solutions for printing excellence in the packaging, display graphics, and textile markets. Visitors to EFI’s stand will see some of the companies latest single-pass innovations live, including the breakthrough Packsize® EFI™ X5® Nozomi, the world's first full-colour, on-demand, right-sized box system that prints, cuts, creases, glues, and erects customised boxes at the rate of up to one box every 6 seconds, and the EFI Nozomi 14000 SD singlepass printer for sign and display. The company is also showcasing a vast array of applications produced on the brand-new Nozomi 14000 AQ true water-based, singlepass printer for corrugated packaging and displays and the Nozomi 12000 MP single-pass technology for direct-to-metal package printing, as well as the nextgeneration EFI Reggiani BOLT XS single-pass textile printer.

HP and RR Donnelley & Sons Company (RRD) announced a strategic collaboration to expand its production capacity with the commitment to install in excess of fifteen new HP Indigo and PageWide Presses. These presses will join RRD’s existing fleet across facilities in North America, China, and Central America. HP and RRD have been working together for the past thirty years, and this new expansion of RRD’s existing fleet will drive efficiency and time-savings throughout the entire production cycle. This expansion will enhance productivity and flexibility to support their clients’ diverse needs in the Packaging, Commercial, Direct Mail, and Statement businesses. John Pecaric Chief Operating Officer at RRD: “We are committed to delivering the highest quality brand experiences for our clients’ customers through multiple touchpoints in the physical and digital customer journey. We have a strategic relationship with HP that provides us with early access to innovative technology that continues to make print a valuable medium.”

Sabine Geldermann, Director drupa, Portfolio Print Technologies, comments on this partnership, “PRINTING United Expo’s one-roof approach aligns very strongly with what drupa has brought to the industry over the last seven decades. Showcasing the many applications printing technology has these days, not only in the graphic arts field but in packaging, industrial and textile is what our attendees appreciate.” Ford Bowers, CEO, PRINTING United Alliance, speaking to the outcomes of this agreement, “Our partnership with drupa underscores our commitment to advancing the entirety of the printing industry. Together, we will be able to deliver even more opportunities for growth and collaboration to all who participate in the marketplace of events. We look forward in the coming months to sharing our conversations on how this partnership will unfold and the benefits to all our partners.”

“Our return to drupa brings some of the most transformative announcements in EFI history,” said Frank Pennisi, CEO of EFI. “We’re excited to use this opportunity to launch groundbreaking innovations, like the world’s first full-colour, on-demand rightsized box system, and true water-based single-pass inkjet technology for corrugated printing. The solutions on our stand present game-changing opportunities that visitors can implement today and plan for tomorrow to future-proof their businesses in a highly competitive and rapidly changing marketplace.” Revolutionary innovations and announcements EFI is unveiling two new solutions at drupa, as well as announcing disruptive developments for existing solutions. Featured live at EFI’s stand is the must-see Packsize® EFI™ X5® Nozomi, the world's first full-colour, on-demand, right-sized box system. It prints, cuts, creases, glues, and erects customized boxes at rates as fast as one box every six seconds with high-resolution graphics, all in a single, streamlined solution – a truly astonishing new offering for the corrugated packaging industry.

The Great Lakes Graphics Association (GLGA) is proud to announce the recipients of its fourth annual Women in Print Excellence Award. The Women in Print Excellence Awards supports GLGA’s ongoing quest to recognize the contributions of women in the Midwest print, graphic arts, finishing and print packaging community as well as those women who support the print industry in a vendor or supplier capacity. Any woman working directly in print or in a vendor role supporting print who was in good standing with her company in Illinois, Indiana or Wisconsin was eligible to be nominated. The nominations were reviewed by a panel of female print professionals outside of the Midwest, who selected one recipient per state.

Packsize®, the market leader in sustainable, right-sized, on-demand packaging, and EFI™, a global technology company leading the worldwide transformation from analog to digital imaging, today announced their collaboration on the world’s first on-demand box system that integrates full-color printing on boxes using a single automated solution. The X5 Nozomi system combines Packsize’s X5® fully-automated, Right-sized Packaging on Demand® system, part of the Packsize X Series, with EFI’s industry-leading Nozomi single-pass digital inkjet printer line for corrugated. “The partnership with EFI and the innovation of the X5 Nozomi is a testament to our team’s commitment to reimagining what is possible and empowering brands to truly customize their customers’ unboxing experience,” said David Lockwood, CEO of Packsize. “No other machine can go from blank corrugated to printed, right-sized, on-demand erected boxes in one solution – and in as little as six seconds per box.”

Specialty Print Communications (SPC), a direct marketer offering a full spectrum of solutions for national brands, will become the first company to have the Canon ProStream 3160 installed in the United States. This milestone was announced by Canon Solutions America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc. The ProStream 3160, the new flagship model of the ProStream 3000 series, can help bring quality and productivity to inkjet printing for commercial markets, direct mail, and publishing, among others. The ProStream 3160 is designed for ultra-fast production, to allow print businesses to move high volumes of work from offset and legacy technologies. This roll-fed 4/4 inkjet press can print up to 525 feet per minute (160 meters per minute). Its new polymer pigment ink set helps ensure consistent offset print quality at rated speed while extending the media grammage/speed range.

Mittera announced the acquisition of select business assets of Rogers Printing Inc., a family-operated commercial printing business and one of the oldest companies in the state of Michigan. Rogers Printing is a leader in sheetfed and web printing with customers across the United States. With a storied history of innovation and dedication to service, Rogers Printing has played a pivotal role in the printing industry for over a century. Under the stewardship of the Rogers family, spanning four generations, the company has continually adapted to technological advancements while maintaining a steadfast commitment to service. “Our foundational commitment to the long-term needs of our trusted client partners will be reinforced, ensuring their continued growth while benefiting from expanded capabilities and a larger network of resources with Mittera’s platform,” said Tom Rogers, President and CEO of Rogers Printing.

The final chapter has been written for Offset Paperback Manufacturers (OPM), based in Dallas, Pa., with the end of May closure of what, in its heyday, was reportedly the largest paperback book manufacturing plant in the world — employing nearly 1,000 unionized workers, within a 24/7 operation, and capable of producing more than 250 million books per year. Founded in 1972, several generations of local families were employed at the OPM Back Mountain facility, but the employee head counts had dwindled over the years with various rounds of cutbacks and retirements. CapEx investments were also not being made at OPM to replace what was an aging fleet of offset presses and ancillary equipment, which impacted OPM's efficiency and operating cost structure.

The UK’s printing and printed packaging industry has performed positively in terms of output and order growth in Q1, though lacking any dramatic improvements. However, the confidence outlook has undoubtedly taken a step up for Q2 – and orders and output are expected to grow more strongly. The BPIF has published its latest Printing Outlook report, the Q2 2024 edition shows that output and orders growth didn’t quite match the expectations for Q1, but we have now had two consecutive quarters of growth, which is more than we have had since 2022. Printing industry activity is expected to experience a stronger pick-up in Q2.

Sun Chemical was recognized during the 2024 Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) Excellence in Flexography Award Competition for its SunUno Solimax AP, a multi-purpose ink series which enhances packaging sustainability. “Sun Chemical is fully committed to the development of sustainable printing solutions and SunUno Solimax AP is an example of one of our unique offerings that promotes the environmental objectives of packaging printers and their brand owner customers,” said Nikola Juhasz, Ph.D., Global Technical Director of Sustainability, Sun Chemical. “This FTA award is a deeply appreciated recognition of the work we are doing to improve sustainability across all aspects of our business and further inspires us on our journey towards developing the next innovation.” A highly versatile ink series, SunUno Solimax AP provides a single platform that can cover multiple end-use applications and is TÜV Austria-certified as “OK Compost” for compostable packaging. The multipurpose solvent-based inks are designed for printing on a wide range of plastic films intended for both external surface/reverse printing and lamination with adhesives.

Sustainability initiatives run across departments throughout Quad, integrating seamlessly to fuel its production solutions. In 2022, 79% of the paper purchased by Quad was third-party certified by organizations like FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council), SFI® (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) and the PEFC™ (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification). To limit the environmental impact of its manufacturing processes, Quad recycles more than 98% of solid waste across its U.S facilities. Quad is continually looking for new ways to create sustainable impact. In April, the company made a five-year commitment to participate in We Energies’ Renewable Pathway Program, which will provide enough renewable energy to offset the power used at its Franklin, Wisc., plant—where more than 50% of the company’s U.S. packaging manufacturing takes place.

First Quarter Financial Highlights and Recent Events • Total revenue of $73.3 million, down from $88.4 million in the first quarter of 2023, but up sequentially from $72.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. • Envelope segment revenue of $53.4 million, versus $64.5 million a year ago and $50.6 million three months ago. • Packaging and Specialty Products segment revenue of $19.8 million, versus $24.0 million last year and $21.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. • Net earnings of $3.5 million, or $0.14 per share, versus $9.5 million, or $0.37 per share, in the first quarter of 2023, and $0.7 million, or $0.03 per share in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Modern Litho, a leading Midwest-based commercial and publication printer, today announced that Darrell Moore will be retiring as Chief Executive Officer, effective May 1, 2024. Moore has been with Modern Litho for 30 years, serving as CEO for the past 20 years. Under his leadership, Modern Litho has expanded its capabilities in digital printing, wide format printing, direct mail services and more to meet evolving customer needs. “It has been an immense honor to lead Modern Litho over the past two decades,” said Moore. “I am incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished in solidifying Modern Litho as a premier printing service provider not only in Missouri but across the country.” As President of Modern Litho-Print Co. and leader of the holding company Modern Litho, Inc., Moore has overseen a multi-decade period of growth and technological advancement for the organization. Through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, the company has grown to be recognized as one of the leading sheet-fed printing companies in the United States.

Quad/Graphics, Inc. is introducing ​​Betty, a new creative agency named after the late Betty Quadracci, fearless trailblazer and co-founder of Quad. The new offering will integrate all of Quad’s creative business lines to uniquely combine its boutique tactics, unmatched 24/7 global production power and commitment to delivering smart, scalable ideas, powered by an in-house network of talented strategists, creatives, content makers, and production and post-production experts.​ Betty’s robust solutions include: *Brand Strategy and Design: *Campaign Ideation: *Premedia, Retail and Adaptive Design: *Content Creation. All former Quad Creative, Periscope and Content Studios leadership and staff are ​​moving to Betty, including Cari Bucci-Hulings​,​ who has assumed the role of President, and Mike Caguin, its Chief Creative Officer. Favorite Child will retain its name as Quad’s brand design practice while remaining part of the larger Betty agency.​

GV Group, one of the leading sustainable and technologically advanced book printing companies in Europe and the USA, is expanding its presence in North America. The group has signed and agreement to acquire a majority stake in P.A. Hutchison (PAH), a historic company founded 113 years ago by Philip Alvord Hutchison - the current president's great-grandfather. PAH is based in Pennsylvania, USA, specialized in the production of textbooks and educational materials. With this new acquisition, GV Group is taking another step in its international development journey. This journey began in 2021 with the acquisition of Lake Book Manufacturing, based in Melrose Park, Illinois, which also initiated growth in the American educational publishing market. For GV Group, the US educational market is strategic: the new acquisition will further expand the range of services and products offered to current and prospective customers.

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company celebrates its 160th anniversary this year, commemorating a legacy of innovation and excellence. “It is an honor to celebrate RRD’s 160th anniversary and to reflect on our rich history while recognizing who RRD is and what we stand for today,” said Tom Quinlan, President and Chief Executive Officer at RRD. “Our tagline for the celebration is 'Innovation & Excellence Since 1864.' Innovation is the change — it’s what has kept RRD growing and evolving for well over a century. And, excellence is the constant — it’s what is woven through the fibers of our organization and the way our people approach everything we do.”

• Realized Net Sales of $655 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $767 million in 2023, and recognized a Net Loss of $28 million or $0.60 Diluted Loss Per Share for the first quarter of 2024. • Achieved Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA of $51 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $60 million in the first quarter of 2023, and reported $0.10 Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share for the first quarter of 2024. • Completed restructuring actions that are expected to generate $60 million of cost savings in 2024. • Announced In-Store Connect, a new retail solution that aims to advance the in-store shopping experience by creating digital interactions throughout physical retail environments. • Launched Household FusionTM, a first-of-its-kind postal optimization program created to offset continued U.S. Postal Service rate hikes and further differentiate Quad as a market innovator. • Introduced the next evolution of the Company’s media agency, Rise, which brings together its full range of media and owned data services under one brand.

Sheridan, a leading provider of printing solutions for the publishing industry, is proud to announce the installation of the DIGI-B Digital Edge-Colouring T3-OPX machine at its Sheridan Worzalla facility. This cutting-edge digital finishing system represents a significant advancement in meeting the growing demand for edge printing capabilities, particularly in the trade market. The DIGI-B Digital Edge-Colouring T3-OPX machine is equipped to handle the intricate requirements of edge printing, delivering stunning results that captivate readers and enhance the visual appeal of printed materials. With the ability to print 4-color in a single pass, this finishing system offers unparalleled efficiency and versatility, allowing Sheridan to meet the diverse needs of its publishing clients with precision and speed.

Sun Chemical announces its ongoing collaboration with packaging solutions company, Cardbox Packaging. Sun Chemical is supplying Cardbox with SunPak® FSP EcoPace sheetfed, low migration inks for high productivity, high speed folding carton printing and for its SunHub compact ink dispenser at their Austria site. In 2023, Cardbox became the first printer worldwide to install the Heidelberg XL106 packaging printing machine that runs at 21,000 sheets per hour, and it is on this machine they now employ the inks. The ongoing collaboration enables Cardbox to validate new products with Sun Chemical before they go to market, while Cardbox may be amongst the first folding carton packaging converters in the world to showcase and produce solutions for high productivity and sustainable packaging printing powered by the new technologies. Meeting the challenges to further increase productivity means trouble-free printing at the highest possible printing speeds, even on the more problematic carton boards. Sun Chemical worked with Cardbox during the development stage of the new ink range to understand the print demands of high quality, high productivity, high speed printing, as well as to verify the effectiveness of the products across different substrates and job design formats before they went to market.

We are thrilled to announce our remarkable success in the 2024 Graphics Excellence Awards (GEA) competition hosted by The Great Lakes Graphics Association (GLGA). This prestigious recognition highlights our unwavering dedication to excellence and innovation in the printing industry. We’re proud to share that we’ve received not just one but two prestigious awards in this year's competition. Our team is pleased to receive a Best of Division Award for Texas Parks & Wildlife’s Special Anniversary Issue and an Award of Excellence for Destination Madison’s Visitor Guide, reaffirming our commitment to delivering top-notch quality and service to our clients. The judging process, which took place from March 13-15, 2024, was conducted by a panel of independent judges carefully selected for their extensive expertise in printing, packaging, and print production. The GEA competition stands as one of the largest regional printing competitions in the nation, making this achievement all the more meaningful.

Despite the popularity of digital platforms, print is still alive and well – and it’s ripe for innovation. Nowhere is that more evident than with production inkjet printing. Offset printing continues to occupy the largest segment in the printing technology space, but production inkjet printing is growing in popularity among book printers, direct mail providers and marketers looking for cost-effective ways to create customized content and/or respond dynamically to consumer demand. “Print buyers are interested in smaller print runs with hundreds or thousands of pieces instead of tens of thousands or more. And they want variable data and customization capabilities so they can run more targeted campaigns and niche promotions,” says Meredith Collins, channel marketing manager for Domtar Paper. “Advancements in production inkjet printing mean you can now do all of that with greater flexibility.”

We're thrilled to announce our latest investment in the ECS Eagle and ECS Ospray inkjet devices. These two devices recently landed at our facility, and will be up and running soon. They are poised to help transform print production in our bindery with mailing applications. They will set new standards for efficiency, quality, and versatility. Read below more about what makes these inkjet devices exceptional. ECS Ospray Inkjet Print Head Features: *Enhanced Speed: *Optimized Design: *Cost-Effective Printing: *User-Friendly Features: *Versatile Applications. ECS Eagle Inkjet Print Head Features: *Unmatched Speed: *Superior Quality: *Seamless Printing: *Cost-Effective Imaging: *Unrivaled Versatility:

Lane Press, a leading magazine printing company based in Vermont, announced that it is increasing its finishing throughput with the installation of a new Osako saddle stitch binding system. Installation of the Osako Tener Alpha Saddle Stitcher is currently underway, and the unit is expected to be fully operational by mid-April. The state-of-the-art binder is rated to produce 12,500 books per hour and includes automation capabilities that reduce setup and make-ready times. With these combined attributes, Lane Press expects the Osako to substantially increase its bindery production capacity. This will be Lane’s fourth high-speed saddle stitch binder, complimenting two perfect binding lines.

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company announced it is expanding its labels production capacity with the installation of four new presses in ISO 9001:2015 certified facilities across the U.S. The presses will deliver faster total throughput, enhancing efficiency and flexibility to support clients’ diversified needs. All presses are expected to be fully operational by midyear 2024. *Two ETI flexo presses will be outfitted to vertically integrate face and liners paper to create pressure sensitive label stock. *One Mark Andy P9 flexo press will produce variable image labels. *One Mark Andy digital hybrid press will be installed to allow RRD to serve clients in a more rapid environment to address their ever-changing needs. This expansion comes amid a booming eCommerce market which, according to Statista, eCommerce revenue is expected to grow by 51% in the U.S. between 2024 and 2029, with expectations to surpass one trillion U.S. dollars. With this sustained growth comes increased demand for variable imaged labels, enabling RRD to provide end-to-end solutions to a range of clients of many sizes and locations.

Postal Center International (PCI) is proud to announce a significant expansion of its mail presort operations to Indianapolis to serve the Midwest mailing community, highlighting its dedication to growth and the provision of superior mail solutions to America's Heartland. Celebrating its 40th year in business, PCI's strategic move into Indianapolis marks a pivotal step in its ongoing national expansion plan, aimed at providing white-glove service to clients in the region while fostering local employment opportunities. The new facility, expected to be fully operational in the third quarter of 2024, is a reflection of PCI’s robust growth trajectory and perfectly aligns with the company’s vision of bringing its comprehensive suite of solutions closer to clients. This expansion comes on the heels of PCI’s successful opening of a presort mail facility in New England in January 2023, which increased the company’s workforce to over 550 associates. The Midwest expansion is poised to further bolster PCI’s operational capabilities and workforce, reinforcing its position as a pivotal player in the region’s balanced economic landscape, known for its mix of heavy printing, mailing along with automotive and agriculture.

At a pre-drupa press event recently, held just before Dcsoop in Indianapolis, Indiana, HP revealed a number of innovations that will make their debut in Düsseldorf later this year. Of particular interest are the updates and refreshes to the Indigo and PageWide press lines. Anat Ruhrberg, the head of Commercial Product & Solutions for HP Indigo, noted that while analog printed pages are beginning to see a decline in terms of overall volume, digital pages are seeing a sharp increase, making it increasingly clear that no shop that wants to continue to be relevant and competitive in the years to come can afford to ignore the technology any more. Investments in digital presses are going to be key to capturing and retaining business. That shift is playing out with the Indigo line, she noted, with data showing that consistently, as much as 50% of the pages being printed on the Indigo 100k are new volume. That said, 95% of all printed pages are still printed on analog presses, which means the opportunity for growth is massive.

Cost pressure, the skills shortage, and sustainability – print shops worldwide need to contend with all these issues and yet remain competitive. Throughout the printing industry, the costs per printed sheet are a measure of how competitive a print shop is. Boasting numerous innovative features, the new machine generation from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) cuts costs, helps alleviate the skills shortage, and improves print shops’ sustainability. “The new Peak Performance Speedmaster XL 106 cuts print production costs significantly, which makes our customers in the commercial, packaging, and label printing sectors more competitive,” says Dr. Ludwin Monz, CEO of HEIDELBERG. “Compared to the previous generation, we expect users who produce packaging in the 70 x 100 cm format to achieve an increase in overall productivity of up to 20 percent.”

The new Household Fusion™ mail-packaging solution was created to offset continued U.S. Postal Service rate hikes by combining into one recyclable polybag various catalogs or marketing mail from different brands or various magazines from different publishers that are destined for a single household. The solution, which exemplifies the company’s commitment to relentless innovation, is powered by proprietary software created by Quad. Household Fusion mail optimization also includes separately printed direct mail pieces as well as onserts that can be placed on top for maximum visibility. “Quad has always helped brands make more direct consumer connections, and that has made us a leading expert in mailing to households across the country. We also have innovation in our DNA. Our Household Fusion offering combines these powerful dimensions of Quad’s expertise and underscores them with our unmatched technology, production and delivery capabilities,” said Don McKenna, Chief Administrative Officer for Quad. “This new mail optimization service is the latest example of Quad’s robust capability for bringing brands closer to their target audiences – efficiently and effectively.”

Breaking new ground, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced a new web-fed inkjet press for commercial and business communications print service providers with the ProStream 3160, the new flagship model of the ProStream 3000 series, that can help bring quality and productivity to inkjet printing for commercial markets, direct mail, and publishing, among others. The ProStream 3160 is an ultra-fast roll-fed 4/4 inkjet press that can deliver up to 525 feet per minute (160 meters per minute). With the new ink set, the ProStream 3160 boasts 100% productivity increase when printing on 12 pt media and up to a 66% productivity increase on 9 pt media compared to previous ProStream models. This press is market changing and shows Canon’s commitment to the evolution of this ProStream 3000 platform.

Two new models – the ColorStream 8200 and 8110 – will look to build on the success of the ColorStream 8000 series of high-speed, web-fed inkjet presses, it was announced today by Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions. The ColorStream has proven to be an attractive investment for high-volume print production environments since its original launch in 2011, with more than 1,800 towers installed worldwide. The latest additions to the series now includes the ColorStream 8200, offering a maximum speed of up to 656 feet per minute, making it one of the most productive model in the series. The ColorStream 8110, which offers up to 361 feet per minute, is an additional option for print service providers (PSPs) wanting to invest in a new ColorStream press while maintaining existing finishing equipment.

Ricoh USA, Inc. announced that Kingery Printing Company, a Midwest family-owned and operated printing and mailing solutions company, installed the first RICOH Pro VC80000 continuous feed inkjet book printer in North America. The RICOH Pro VC80000 launched in November 2023 on the heels of the RICOH Pro Z75 cut-sheet inkjet press and is the newest addition to Ricoh's inkjet portfolio. Leveraging AI, the press enables commercial, book, and direct mail printers to experience a new standard for inkjet quality, productivity, and media flexibility to expand their competitive edge and profitability. Kingery Printing Company, founded in 1968, has grown to 200 team members with facilities located in Effingham and Mattoon, Illinois. Kingery serves publishers throughout the country in the book, catalog, and magazine market segments.

The annual Dscoop Conference is a unique gathering of marketers, printers, industry experts and suppliers from around the country. “I have had the fortune to be at every DSCOOP event since its inception in Sanibel, FL in 2006” said Mike Ratcliff, Midland’s President – Specialty Paper and Film Division. “The timing of this event before DRUPA 2024 is special given HP’s commitment to give the U.S. market a peak of what will be on display in May at DRUPA”. Midland Paper, located at Booth #2090, will have key representatives of their Specialty Paper and Film Team on hand to showcase the latest digital products in their portfolio including: • Coated, Uncoated and Specialty Papers • Pressure Sensitive Films • Synthetic Papers • Grand Format • Wide Format • High Speed Inkjet. Stop by Booth #2090 and pick up your set of Eclipse 2024 solar eclipse viewing glasses.

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. is further advancing its customer-focused commitment to delivering innovation that creates more opportunities for sign and display graphics producers to be more competitive and grow profitably with the introduction of the EFI™ VUTEk® Q3h XP printer – a true high-speed hybrid flatbed/roll-fed LED printer, offering superior-quality imaging along with flexible and versatile production-level throughput – and the next generation 3.2-metre EFI Pro 33r roll-to-roll LED printer. In addition to the new printer introductions, EFI is showcasing its leading digital inkjet technologies for the sign and display, packaging, and textile markets at the 2024 FESPA Global Expo, 19-22 March, in Hall 1, Stand D70. "Our leading-edge technology at FESPA Global gives customers unmatched capabilities and opportunities to achieve profitable growth in digital inkjet production printing,” said EFI VP of Worldwide Marketing Ken Hanulec.

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire digital and print marketing businesses from Vericast Corp (“Vericast”). The Vericast Digital Marketing & Technology business includes a sophisticated set of digital marketing solutions that includes: display advertising, contextual targeting, connected TV, dynamic mobile, digital out of home, social media marketing, email marketing, local search, and zero-party data capture. The transaction also includes Vericast’s print marketing business, including shared mail and free-standing inserts, as well as digital and print coupon clearing business.

Electronics For Imaging, Inc., today reported it has completed a life cycle assessment (LCA) of Nozomi single-pass digital print technology in partnership with award-winning sustainability consulting firm Clean Agency. Through this initiative, Clean Agency also developed an LCA tool that EFI™ customers and their customers – such as brands, retailers, and 3PLs – can use to analyze their CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions as part of their overall packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR): the environmental impact of their products, even after their useful life has ended. According to the LCA, printing corrugated materials on an EFI Nozomi digital press reduces global warming potential (GWP) by approximately 50% when compared to analog printing technologies. “No printing plates, less energy, less waste, and just-intime (JIT) manufacturing all contribute to CO2e reductions for corrugated printing on EFI’s Nozomi digital press,” says Seri McClendon, CEO of Clean Agency.

Highlights *Growth in adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization(1) of 14.3% for the quarter, including an increase of 29.6% in the Packaging Sector. *Revenues of $680.4 million for the quarter ended January 28, 2024; operating earnings of $27.8 million; and net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation of $13.9 million ($0.16 per share). "We had a solid first quarter despite persistently challenging market conditions," said Thomas Morin, President and Chief Executive Officer of TC Transcontinental. "This performance is largely attributable to cost reductions in line with our priorities and the profitability and financial position improvement program announced in December.

Contiweb, a specialist manufacturer of web-handling equipment and provider of integrated technical solutions for web offset printing, web inkjet printing and packaging production, is pleased to announce the successful installation of a CDN non-stop unwinder and Digital Fluid Applicator (DFA) remoistener at Lakeside Book Company's Harrisonburg facility in Virginia. The new equipment will be featured in a production line alongside an HP T490 PageWide press installed in June. The installation of the CDN non-stop unwinder and DFA remoistener marks a significant milestone in Lakeside Book Company's commitment to investing in superior printing solutions for its customers. Lakeside Book Company is the largest book printing, binding, and distribution company in North America and adding this state-of-the-art equipment to its inventory further enhances operational efficiency, while ensuring continuous production, and consistently high-quality output.

SCREEN Americas announces the installation of the Truepress JET 520NX to MCT, also known as Marketing Card Technology, LLC. The installation follows MCT’s investment in the Truepress JET 520HD+, which was installed in March 2020. MCT is a two-fold operation with two facilities in Illinois—one in Darien and one in Downers Grove. The company manufactures credit cards and personalized mockup cards in its Darien facility and runs a full-service direct mail marketing operation in its Downers Grove location. With a capacity to print, insert and mail 1.5 million pieces per day, MCT struck a strategic balance in its workload when it opted to complement its Truepress JET 520HD+ with a full-color Truepress JET 520NX. The company uses the HD+ for customers seeking high-end promotional items requiring coated paper and reserves the NX for jobs that can be produced on uncoated paper.

Viridiam, a full-service print provider in Green Bay, WI, recently purchased a new Versafire LV from HEIDELBERG. The new five-color Versafire further expands the company’s digital print opportunities by offering customers spot colors and extended gamut printing. The new engine will also aid Viridiam in growing its digital print business that began five years ago with the installation of its first Versafire. A proud woman-owned business, Viridiam began in 2015 with the merger of two companies: HC Miller and Van Lanen. Both businesses were fixtures in the Green Bay community with roots dating back to 1887. Today, Viridiam serves a nationwide client base and prides itself on developing comprehensive solutions while focusing on a “speed to market” business model. The G7 certified company boasts four divisions “all under one roof”: commercial print, wide format, folding carton, and organizational products (medical charts, dividers, etc.). “By keeping everything in house, we can really economize a print buyer’s spend,” said President Nick Mares. “Additionally, we can save our customers a considerable amount of time by not having to deal with a variety of printers.”

Sun Chemical has launched Xennia Jade, a pigment ink that meets the escalating demands of the direct-to-film (DTF) market. The solution has been specifically designed to address key challenges faced by DTF users within this market, providing a high-quality, stable, and reliable ink set for seamless daily, weekly, and monthly production. Xennia Jade will be showcased at FESPA in the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre in Netherlands, from March 19-22, 2024, allowing industry professionals to experience first-hand the features that make it an ideal choice for the evolving needs of the DTF market. The DTF market has experienced unprecedented growth over the past two years, underscoring the need for innovative solutions to address the evolving demands of the industry. Existing industry solutions present some challenges with reliability and performance. Recognising the importance of consistent performance, Sun Chemical has dedicated considerable time and resources to develop a comprehensive solution tailored to meet the specific needs of the market.

ENPOINTE has achieved a significant milestone with the expansion of its production and fulfillment capabilities in Brooklyn Park, MN. The company proudly announces the addition of a second production facility adjacent to its existing location, as well as a state-of-the-art Fulfillment Center nearby. “This new facility marks a pivotal moment for ENPOINTE,” stated Todd Matuska, CEO and President. “It not only streamlines our operations and enhances efficiency but also underscores our commitment to sustainability through improved green initiatives. These advancements align with our dedication to delivering exceptional value to our clients and future partners.” Dubbed the “Year of the Move,” ENPOINTE’s initiative includes the installation of a six-color Mitsubishi full web press at the new production facility with speed efficiencies, enhanced color controls and a wide range of folding capabilities. All ENPOINTE production is now operating out of one campus with two buildings connected by a skyway.

The Meliora Group is a group of print companies whose heritage spans over 60 years of print, and consists of Delga – printed carton board packaging and labels experts, Scarbutts Printers – a commercial printer offering a complete solution for commercial design and print, and CSP – the leading supplier of print to the NHS, as well as the public sector, private healthcare and education sectors. “We’re delighted to become members of Two Sides as The Meliora Group of print companies. Two Sides plays an important role in helping us to communicate to our audience about the sustainable aspects of print and paper-based packaging and we wanted to support the work that you do in helping us achieve this by becoming members. Campaigns like Love Paper that raise awareness and bust the myths about the sustainability of the print industry are instrumental in creating a positive future for us and we’re pleased to play our part in supporting that.” says Clair Melville-Brown, Marketing & Communications Officer for Delga, part of The Meliora Group.

Flint Group has announced the release of a comprehensive whitepaper to outline the role of inks and coatings in supporting safe food packaging. Delving into the critical importance of food packaging safety and testing, the whitepaper explores the challenges posed by food contact materials (FCM) and the crucial role that high-quality inks and coatings play in minimising risk. Anna Niewiadomska, Marketing Manager Narrow Web at Flint Group, comments: “As established market experts, we have one of the most knowledgeable teams in the ink industry. With the launch of our new whitepaper, we aim to provide enhanced clarity on the intricate process to safely print food packaging and labels. We explain the purpose and significance of these processes, discuss how safety is measured, and highlight how modern technology effectively addresses food packaging challenges.”

It’s been hard to avoid the conversation around postal rates in the commercial and direct mail printing industry during the past few years. As Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has made aggressive moves to bring the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) into profitability after the requirement to pre-pay the organization’s pension fund was finally relaxed, printers have borne the brunt of those rising prices. Print buyers have started pushing back when it comes to higher mailing costs, especially as the costs of everything from the inks, to the paper, to the labor running the presses have also been on the rise. But what does the actual landscape look like for print providers on the postal rate front? And how are they managing the increases? Unfortunately, the bulk of those increases seems to have come rapidly during the past couple of years, leaving commercial/direct mail printers and print buyers alike scrambling to compensate for costs that are significantly higher. A few cents per piece spread out across thousands — if not hundreds of thousands — of pieces adds up fast, after all, and can take a huge chunk out of the direct marketing budget before anyone can blink. And that impact is being felt as buyers pull back on the number of pieces they’re mailing to compensate for those higher costs.

Recent Highlights *Achieved 2023 guidance and reported Net Sales of $3.0 billion in 2023 compared to $3.2 billion in 2022. *Anticipating $60 million of cost savings from recent plant capacity and labor reduction initiatives in response to ongoing external headwinds, including significant postal rate increases and economic uncertainty that negatively impact print volumes. *Recognized a Net Loss of $55 million in 2023 compared to Net Earnings of $9 million in 2022 primarily due to lower sales, higher restructuring expenses and increased interest costs despite decreasing debt. *Reduced Net Debt by $564 million or 55% over the past four years as part of a multi-year debt reduction strategy, achieving Net Debt Leverage of 2.0x at December 31, 2023.

Komori America announced that The Marek Group, a provider of sales effectiveness and marketing execution services, is looking forward to gaining a higher level of productivity and faster speed to market with its investment in the company’s first Komori press, an eight-color Lithrone G40 advance perfector (GL840P advance) with LED-UV. The family-owned company, with headquarters in Waukesha, Wisconsin and three additional locations, offers an array of services that provide clients with a single solution for sales support and marketing campaign execution. The company contributes part of its success to following a deliberate CapEx process that focuses on the investments needed to stay current with a portfolio that includes print, promotions, mail, incentives, kitting, fulfillment and sales enablement technology. Recognizing it was time for its pressroom to be modernized, The Marek Group team began to search for a press that would offer the automation, efficiencies and quick makereadies needed to handle the growing volume of bold, eye-catching print solutions the company produces.

Electronics For Imaging, Inc., announced the EFI™ VUTEk® h3+ and VUTEk h5+ hybrid flatbed/roll-fed LED printer series with enhanced printing and media handling capabilities. The VUTEk h+ series is a re-engineered and refined version of the high-volume, superwide-format hybrid VUTEk h series platform. The enhancements made for the VUTEk h+ series offer improved productivity, print quality, reliability, capability, and profits. “We are excited to bring these new printers to market,” said Todd Zimmerman, SVP/GM Display Graphics & OEM Ink of EFI. “VUTEk printers have been the leader in the hybrid category in signs and display graphics for more than two decades, with more than 300 installations worldwide. The VUTEk h+ series answers some of the key pain points for our customers, all while improving ease of use and offering the LED environmentally friendly benefits you expect from EFI VUTEk technology.”

CJK Group, Inc. announced that it has acquired the assets of LSC Communications Magazine and Catalog business unit, along with the stock of Kodi Collective LLC (formerly known as Continuum Marketing Services LLC). The assets and stock purchase together represent “Kodi Collective.” Kodi Collective is a venerable powerhouse of publishing and creative capabilities. Launched in March 2023 from the former LSC Communications platform, it offers creative production, print production, sourcing, logistics, and managed services. Comprising five offset print facilities and three digital print facilities as well as a dynamic Marketing Execution Services business, Kodi Collective represents a rich spectrum of solutions that not only complement but extend and strengthen the services of CJK Group’s portfolio of companies, propelling CJK Group to the top tier of the U.S. printing industry. Over the following months, Kodi Collective and CJK Group will work together on several transitional service agreements to ensure a seamless experience for customers and stakeholders on all sides.

Thysse, a full-service brand experience provider that offers commercial printing, is excited to announce its recent acquisition of the HP PageWide Advantage 2200. The investment reaffirms Thysse’s steadfast commitment to the core values that have allowed it to grow over the past eight decades; offering exceptional service and project outcomes, efficiently. The company was founded in 1941 by John Thysse, and began as a letterpress printer in Madison, Wisconsin. Since its inception, continuous innovation and embracing new technology have allowed Thysse to meet the evolving needs of its clients. The third-generation owner and CEO, Jason Thysse, is accelerating the company’s growth trajectory by doubling down on investments aimed at elevating capacity, efficiency, and capabilities across the entire portfolio of services. The scope spans culture, structure, training, process, and technology, all aimed at adding tangible customer value.

How well do you communicate the value of direct mail to your customers? For many years now, direct mail has been bashed for being too old school and past its time. The reality is far from that. Direct mail response is on the rise. Consumers enjoy getting direct mail that is applicable to them. When direct mail is targeted correctly it will not be considered “junk mail.” Yes, even millennials and Gen Z like to get mail. Here are a few reasons people like to get mail: *It's delivered to their home through no effort on their part. *It can be fun (get creative and think outside of the box). *It's way to save money (people like a good deal). *It’s informative (people are curious). *It’s easily kept for future reference or use (use a magnet, they can then post on the fridge).

As part of its ongoing commitment to relentless innovation and product development, Quad acquired North Carolina-based DART Innovation, an in-store digital media solutions provider. The strategic investment expands and seamlessly integrates into Quad’s full suite of products and services, enabling brands and marketers to more effectively offer consumers an integrated purchasing journey, whether they are at home, online or in a physical store. Combining digital media with brick-and-mortar locations has been heralded as the next iteration for the online marketplaces that have exploded in recent years[1]. The strategic intersection of physical and digital expands the brand-to-shopper experience beyond e-commerce to innovative on-screen engagement at the store shelf. With DART’s capabilities and technology Quad strengthens its place as a leader in revolutionizing the shopping experience for retailers, consumer packaged goods (CPGs) and consumers.

TC Transcontinental announced that it will gradually reduce operations at its printing plant in Saint-Hyacinthe (Québec), with a complete closure scheduled in April 2024. Its activities will gradually be transferred to other plants of the TC Transcontinental Printing network, mainly to the plant located in the Anjou borough of Montréal. “With the end of Publisac announced on November 3 and its gradual replacement by raddarTM, printed at our Anjou plant, we regretfully had to make the decision to close our Saint-Hyacinthe plant,” said Pierre Deslongchamps, Senior Vice President, Retail, Newspapers, Distribution, Magazines, Books and Catalogues, TC Transcontinental Printing.

Sun Chemical will implement selected freight surcharges impacted by the Red Sea crisis globally. Against the backdrop of geopolitical instabilities, maritime transportation through the Suez Canal and Red Sea has been especially severely impacted since November. With around 30% of the world’s container trade shipped via this route, many shipments are facing delays and some are being rerouted via the Cape of Good Hope, significantly increasing the distance travelled and adding further costs and time. Cargo air freight is also seeing a spike in demand to avoid such longer diversions. As a proactive response to these challenges, Sun Chemical is actively monitoring the evolving situation through its extensive global network of partners. The primary objective remains ensuring the continued supply of high-quality products and services to customers. In light of the dynamic nature of the crisis, Sun Chemical is taking necessary steps to secure raw materials and minimise transportation delays.

*2023 reported revenue decreased 2.0% including impact from divestitures, while comparable adjusted revenue increased $6 million or 0.3%. *Third consecutive year of revenue growth, on a comparable adjusted basis. *Full year GAAP diluted EPS was $0.59 while adjusted diluted EPS was $3.32. *Full year net income was $26.2 million, down from $65.5 million in 2022, on increased interest expense and restructuring activity.

Angela Hipelius, CEO of Liberty Creative Solutions, describes the company with a mix of history and mission. She shares that Liberty is starting its 60th year in business; and is second-generation, family-owned. It specializes in direct mail services, including the use of variable data to help its customers — which come from the education, healthcare, and nonprofit markets — achieve their goals. While the company has not changed its general approach over the past few years, Hipelius says it is focused strongly on “refining some of the systems we use to grow.” This includes working on efficiencies throughout the company’s processes and utilizing customer input in the development of its systems. Most of Liberty’s growth, she indicates, comes from doing more for its main clients, and by “nurturing existing accounts and being a trusted supplier for them.” That approach will continue. Hipelius says while the company has not acquired other businesses as a part of its revenue growth strategy, it has acquired technology. In 2019, it added a Canon ProStream 1000 inkjet web press to its technology mix, which now includes offset, toner-based digital printing, and high-speed production inkjet. Currently, she says the company is looking to install more printing and finishing capacity — something that complements the ProStream.

Agfa and EFI proudly announce that they have entered into a global strategic partnership aimed at leveraging each other’s cutting-edge technologies. The collaboration between two industry leaders marks a significant milestone in the wide-format inkjet printing arena. Within the framework of the partnership, Agfa will integrate EFI’s roll-to-roll system into its offerings, while EFI will incorporate Agfa’s high-end hybrid inkjet printers into its suite of solutions. Both printing platforms have established themselves as frontrunners in their respective fields. Customers and prospects stand to gain unparalleled advantages from this strategic collaboration. Through the mutual strengthening of the Agfa and EFI portfolios, both companies can present the broadest and most innovative product offering available in the market today, as well as a reliable service infrastructure.

SG360°, marketing services provider and among the top three direct mail producers in the U.S., is excited to announce a significant move toward further expansion of their digital print platform to support evolving client, and broader marketplace, demand for more targeted, relevant marketing communications. SG360° is adding wide-web digital capability with full inline finishing to its growing digital print platform, which will deliver speed to market benefits and a broad range of formatting options, with full dynamic content possibilities. This will bring SG360° to have one of the most robust digital print offerings in the industry, with sights on further expansion.

Q4 2023 *Revenue of $1.77 billion, down 9.1 percent year-over-year or down 10.6 percent in constant currency. *GAAP net loss of $(58) million, down $179 million, year-over-year, respectively. This quarter includes an after-tax Restructuring and related costs, net charge of $78 million, related to the recently announced workforce reduction. *Operating cash flow of $389 million, up $203 million year-over-year. FY 2023 *Revenue of $6.89 billion, down 3.1 percent year-over-year, or down 3.3 percent in constant currency. *GAAP net income of $1 million, up $323 million, year-over-year, respectively. 2023 includes a Q4 after-tax Restructuring and related costs, net charge of $78 million, related to the recently announced workforce reduction. 2022 includes an after-tax non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $395 million. *Operating cash flow of $686 million, up $527 million year-over-year.

Transcontinental Inc. announced that Rémi Marcoux, founder of TC Transcontinental and member of the Board, has not sought re‑election as a director. Mr. Marcoux's term will end on March 13, at the annual shareholders’ meeting. In recognition of his entrepreneurial career and his significant contribution to the vision, growth and development of the Company in keeping with its values, the Board has named Mr. Marcoux “Founder Emeritus”. Rémi Marcoux, founder of TC Transcontinental, said: “I built this great company, which I founded in 1976, with a long-term vision and a desire for continuity, and my wishes have come true. I am a fulfilled and content man as I look to TC Transcontinental’s future, and I thank all our shareholders, customers, suppliers and employees for their unwavering support over the years. At the age of 83, I intend to take it easy a bit, and I have full confidence in my daughter Isabelle, who succeeded me as Chair of the Board in 2012, in Thomas Morin, President and CEO, as well as our talented board members, executives and employees.”

Ulrich Etiketten, a market leader in the Austrian self-branded label market, has made the switch to UV LED curing in its label manufacturing operations with the support of Flint Group's high-performance EkoCure® Dual Cure ink range. Ulrich, founded in 1868, recently invested in a new 60,000m2 production site in Austria, intending to transition label printing presses from traditional mercury UV curing to energy-saving UV LED. Ulrich partnered with Flint Group and its market-leading range of EkoCure Dual Cure inks to support this transition. The ability of the ink range to cure under both traditional UV mercury and UV LED lamps enabled Ulrich to transition in a way best suited for their business.

Landa Digital Printing, manufacturer of Nanographic Printing presses, announced that it will be opening an ink plant to supply its growing North American customer base. The new plant is expected to begin operations in H2, 2024. To be located in the Midwestern U.S., the new plant will manufacture the company’s water-based Landa NanoInk, which is required for the transformative Nanographic Printing process. The plant will join existing Landa ink plants across the globe, thereby increasing worldwide NanoInk manufacturing capacity as well as ensuring supply to North American customers. Additional major benefits will include shorter lead times and reduced environmental impacts caused by shipping materials.

Wallace Graphics, an esteemed commercial printing company boasting over three decades of experience, is delighted to announce its recent acquisition of the HP PageWide Advantage 2200 with HP Brilliant Ink. This strategic investment underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to delivering top-tier quality work, all while prioritizing operational efficiency. In 1987, Wallace Graphics began its journey as a solopreneur print shop located in Atlanta, Georgia. Today, under the second-generation ownership of Jonathan Wallace (President), and Jake Wallace (Vice President), it stands as one of the fastest growing and most dynamic companies in the Southeastern United States, offering comprehensive printing services encompassing digital, offset, and large format solutions.

Electronics For Imaging, Inc., reported that American Image, a producer of signs, display graphics, and award products located in Bergenfield, New Jersey, has acquired an EFI™ Pro 30f wide-format LED flatbed printer. Prior to acquiring the Pro 30f flatbed, the American Image production printing fleet consisted of 11 wide-format printers, including eight small flatbeds. Adding the Pro 30f printer to the mix increased the company’s production capacity by 30%, significantly improving their time to market, important in a competitive environment. “We worked with our distributor, ITNH, who introduced us to EFI and recommended the EFI Pro 30f as a solution to our needs,” said John Paragian, Owner and President of American Image.

SeaChange has recently became the first printer in Minnesota to install a W&D 410 Easy Enveloper, and we’re excited to see its initial project in production. Designing for a major healthcare company, our GATHER Digital Marketing team created an envelope with large areas of ink coverage — a stunning look that’s sure to stand out in the mailbox. The envelope’s interior, which uses a repeating pattern, complements that design while also serving as a security tint. The ability to create high-quality envelopes in house meets our clients’ increasing desire to streamline processes and add additional customization. As we saw with supply chain shortages during the pandemic, purchasing envelopes from outside vendors can lead to delays. With the Easy Enveloper, we hope to eliminate that potential.

When Hatteras celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, President Bill Duerr had reason to look back with pride. From its beginnings in a facility far too small, the Tinton Falls, New Jersey-based commercial printer has expanded into a three-building, 180,000-sq.-ft. operation with some of the latest — and largest — offset, digital, and wide-format presses in the industry. A family-owned company that treats its employees like family too, Hatteras has become a convergence success story, moving from commercial printing into wide-format, packaging, assembly, fulfillment, warehousing, mailing, and more. It serves clients in the pharmaceutical, retail, automotive, cosmetics, fashion, and financial services businesses, among others, providing everything from marketing collateral, signage, and packaging, to variable data direct mail and cross-media marketing campaigns.

When the owners of Brown Printing and Modern Litho-Print Co. merged their businesses under a corporate holding company on January 1, 2000, the decision was made for both companies to continue operating autonomously at their respective facilities and under their existing brand name. Since then, our planned growth has taken us from 60 employees to 385 today, with operations in St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia, and Jefferson City. Modern Litho, Inc. currently ranks as the 92nd largest printing company (based on revenue) in North America, in an industry of over 15,000, and is proud to serve great customers in all 50 states and internationally. And of course, that includes you! Brown Printing’s emphasis has always been on serving the local (Jefferson City, Lake, Columbia) market while supporting the national efforts of Modern Litho, and that remains unchanged. However, with the recent acquisition of Direct Impaqt in Columbia, and their subsequent rebranding to Modern Litho-Columbia, we’re excited to announce that the time has come to rebrand Brown Printing to Modern Litho-Jefferson City.

Direct mail has been on a wild ride the past few years. First, there was the COVID-19 pandemic that seemingly led to every brand and customer pulling back on every conceivable marketing vehicle as we all struggled to figure out what was going on and where we would fit into it. Then as that waned, in 2022 we saw a massive surge in volumes, with brands rushing to get back in front of their customers as consumer spending skyrocketed, leading to record years for many direct mail printers. And then there was 2023, which saw severe inflation leading to a pullback in spending across the board, coupled with aggressive moves by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to raise rates. It’s enough to make you dizzy. But as we peel back some of those trends and what is driving them, we can get a good idea of what to expect for 2024 — and where you should plan to invest your capital expenditure dollars to capture as much growth and new direct mail business as possible.

The book manufacturing market has experienced an unpredictable few years. While it has been far from ideal conditions for forecasting and planning, it hasn’t been all bad; indeed, the lack of experiential options outside of the home during COVID fuelled renewed interest in physical books. And while some pandemic-related hobbies such as bread baking and Zoom quizzing will be less in vogue in 2024, it does seem that the demand for printed books has endured. Publishers Weekly cites NPD BookScan research, claiming that while 2022 unit sales of printed books (788.7 million) fell 6.5% below 2021 figures, they are still up 11.8% when compared with 2019. In other positive news, we are seeing a sunnier supply chain picture. Faced with substantial demand, book printers in recent years — desperate to get their hands on paper and fulfill clients’ orders — were regularly thwarted by supply chain challenges and paper availability issues. “In the short term, I would say the paper availability issue has gone away,” says Steve Zweber, vice president of global print manufacturing, operations, and distribution, at Core Publishing Solutions in Eagan, Minnesota.

Sun Chemical has launched the SunStrato® AquaLam Gen2 ink series, an outstanding water-based solution for printing laminated and retortable flexible packaging. AquaLam Gen2 is the second generation of inks within the established AquaLam range. Offering enhanced quality, printability, and bond strength, the range can help reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and CO2 emissions by 18-20% versus comparable solvent-based inks typically used in similar applications. Results may vary based on factors such as solvent recycling, energy sources and drying efficiency. Impressive results are already being achieved with AquaLam Gen2 by some flexible packaging producers with 7 colour extended colour gamut (ECG) to produce high-quality laminated packaging, combining newly installed press with state-of-the-art printing plates and advanced anilox sets.

Sun Chemical has launched SunLit® ProPace, the latest generation of vegetable oil based sheetfed process printing inks designed specifically for helping printers increase productivity in commercial publication and non-food packaging printing. Featuring excellent stability, fast setting, low misting, and low tack, SunLit ProPace is designed to run on a wide array of substrates including problematic paper and board. It is suitable for both high speed perfecting and straight presses running multiple shift patters, up to twenty-four hours. SunLit ProPace is based on Sun Chemical’s revolutionary new Pace varnish technology platform – the result of extensive research and development into new materials that enable highly versatile and reliable printing inks that deliver consistent high-quality results in fast-moving production environments, especially on the more challenging papers and boards. The inks provide excellent results on the very latest modern high-speed printing machines. At high speeds, SunLit ProPace’s low misting performance was a vital goal within the development process. SunLit ProPace does not use environmentally problematic PTFE wax and contains higher levels of bio-renewable materials.

Industrial property investors Roy Splansky and Mark Goode started 2024 by becoming landlords for a Chicago-based company once referred to as North America’s largest commercial printer. Venture One, a Rosemont-based firm co-founded and led by Splansky and Goode, paid $50 million to the company, R.R. Donnelley & Sons, to buy two industrial buildings spanning more than 500,000 square feet in the western suburb of St. Charles, public records show. R.R. Donnelley is staying on as a tenant in the buildings at 609 South Kirk Road and 1750 Wallace Avenue, records show, meaning it likely sold the parcels as an alternative means of raising capital to eschew rising interest rates.

Economically, 2024 is likely to look much like 2023 for the commercial printing industry, with sales growing modestly at best and margins tight. Top challenges will again include operating cost inflation, particularly rising labor costs, and stiff resistance to price increases. Top opportunities will include strengthening risk management and drawing on artificial intelligence (AI) to maximize productivity, enhance mission-critical functions, and support superior decision-making companywide. The 86 commercial printers who have participated to date in the third quarter 2023 PRINTING United Alliance State of the Industry Survey, sponsored by Canon U.S.A., broadly agree that uncertainty about the course of interest rates and the American economy has caused clients to “tighten their belts significantly.” The group’s sales (all sources) continued to grow through September, but by just 2.9%, on average. Operating cost inflation moderated to 4.6% as supply chains continued to heal, but weakened demand limited price increases to 3.9%.

KnowledgeWorks Global Ltd. (KGL), the leader in transformative content solutions, has been named a Benetech Global Certified AccessibleTM (GCA) vendor. A global social enterprise nonprofit, Benetech focuses on providing equitable opportunities for all learners and issues this certification to vendors who produce files that meet a full range of accessibility features required to support the needs of all readers, including those with disabilities and learning differences. Benetech’s GCA certification program is the first-ever, third-party EPUB certification program to verify eBook accessibility. As an approved vendor, KGL has demonstrated success consistently producing files in accordance with Benetech’s GCA certification standard, meeting the EPUB Accessibility 1.0 Conformance and Discovery specification and exceeding a publishing standard level of WCAG 2.0 AA.

Sheridan proudly announces the installation of the first Komori Lithrone GLX844RP in the United States at its Sheridan Minnesota facility. On track to be fully operational in January 2024, the investment in this state-of-the-art 8-unit, 44” perfecting press signifies the continued movement forward in Sheridan's commitment to innovation and excellence. The GLX844RP's 44" width revolutionizes printing capabilities, allowing Sheridan to produce sizes up to 7 ½" x 10 ½" as 32-page signatures—a significant advancement over traditional 40" presses limited 16-page capability. The press’s unique configuration incorporates four reverse printing units that result in the elimination of any need to flip the sheet, allowing it to achieve speeds up to 15,000 sheets per hour. Boasting full automation, AI, and self-learning capabilities for ink presets, register presets, and air presets, this press ensures unparalleled efficiency in full-color printing.

Walsworth recently purchased the real estate that houses its Saint Joseph operation, located on Maiden Lane in Saint Joseph, Michigan. Walsworth acquired IPC Print Services in 2010, taking over the building’s lease in the process, and has been utilizing the full extent of the plant’s printing capabilities since then. Walsworth officially took ownership of the property on Oct. 31, 2023. “Purchasing this building tells our employees, and the Saint Joseph community, that we’re here to stay,” said Phil Archer, General Manager of Walsworth – Saint Joseph. “It’s another step in showing our commitment to this location.” Lucas Vandermolen, the Manufacturing Support Manager at Walsworth – Saint Joseph, feels that the purchase is a big step for the future of the plant. “The investment to own our facility is a huge commitment by the Walsworth family to our employees, customers, and community,” said Vandermolen.

Schumann Printers is excited to announce the acquisition and installation of a new Graphic Systems Services Model-38’’ Stationary Universal UV Coater featuring three OXYTECH SYSTEMS UV lamps on our M-1000 5-unit press. Here's what the new UV coater brings to the table: 1) Improved Efficiency- This state-of-the-art UV coater not only boosts production speeds but also offers quick change Anilox & plate sleeves engraved to customer specifications. It has a flow out structure for better lay down of coating produced by foaming issues. 2) Streamlined Maintenance- The UV coater's unique design minimizes downtime for scheduled maintenance, ensuring that our projects remain on schedule. It has individual motorized control for plate and impression on the fly adjustment with skewing capability for longer pad life. 3) Responsive and Accurate Performance- This UV coater is equipped with HMI touch screen panel controls for all independent drives, registration, and impression adjustment.

Democrat Printing and Lithographing of Little Rock, Arkansas (DP&L) has entered into a strategic partnership with EP Graphics of Berne, Indiana. DP&L was founded in 1871 and has been in the printing business through five generations of family ownership, specializing in magazines, catalogs and other publications. “We are excited about the opportunities that this partnership brings for both our team and our customers,” said Frank Park III, co-owner and chairman of the board of DP&L. “EP Graphics shares our core values and vision, as well as our history as a family-owned business, and we are confident that this transition will result in continued success and growth. The decision to enter into this partnership was carefully considered, and EP Graphics emerged as the ideal partner to carry forward the legacy and continue the tradition of excellence established by DP&L. The strategic partnership with EP Graphics brings together two dynamic organizations, combining our strengths and expertise to create a stronger and more competitive entity in the ever-changing printing industry.”

What notable federal legislative activity took place in 2023? A significant win for the PRINTING United Alliance’s apparel community was the enactment of the bipartisan Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces for Consumers Act, also known as the INFORM Consumers Act. The law will make it harder for criminal enterprises to operate in the shadows of the Internet. The Act took effect on June 27, 2023, and will crack down on criminals selling stolen, counterfeit, or unsafe items in online marketplaces. It requires online marketplaces to collect, verify, and disclose certain information about “high-volume third-party sellers.” The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can issue civil penalties of $50,120 per violation.

Miller’s Professional Imaging, the largest professional lab organization in the United States, is pleased to announce their acquisition of the HP Indigo 100K HD Digital Press. This investment underscores the company’s keen focus on enhancing their professional prints and press products as well as their passion to deliver unmatched service to customers. With facilities in both Pittsburg, Kansas, and Columbia, Missouri, Miller’s Professional Imaging serves clients in all fifty states and Canada. The company’s national footprint, combined with an innovative approach, allows it to tap into the power of technology while maintaining appreciation and respect for traditional print craftsmanship. When the company was founded in 1939, it was created with the intent to provide a full-service photo lab. Today, that remains true – Miller’s Professional Imaging continues to support established photographers with a comprehensive offering and one-stop business model.

*Revenues of $779.7 million for the quarter ended October 29, 2023; operating earnings of $66.7 million; and net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation of $41.7 million ($0.48 per share). *Launched an ambitious program including costs reductions, measures aimed at less-performing activities and the sale of real estate assets to improve the Corporation's earnings per share and balance sheet. Actions already undertaken: *Closed the Montreal recycling plant and integrated recycling into packaging plants. *Announced, on November 24, 2023, the closure of the Tomah, Wisconsin, packaging plant in February 2024.

With a focus on marketing communications and the secondary packaging supply chain, this specialized offering from RRD’s Life Sciences group meets the industry’s growing need for consolidated supplier solutions amid increasing regulatory scrutiny. “From concept to consumers, our platform for product commercialization makes end-to-end visibility possible, which is something our clients find tremendous value in as they seek to reduce risk, meet inflexible timelines, and alleviate margin pressures,” says Ken Gammon, Senior Vice President, RRD Healthcare Solutions. The following core capabilities and services form the foundation of RRD’s single-source offering: *Creative execution – a global creative suite of production services *Marketing communications – industry expertise and production support for all healthcare-professional and consumer-facing communications *Packaging and labels – structural engineering, design, testing and manufacturing of product packaging and secondary packaging *Kitting and fulfillment – a globally integrated network to drive resilience, speed to market and increase market share for both indirect and direct product execution

Sheridan is delighted to announce not one, but two steps forward in its binding capabilities with the installation of two cutting-edge Muller Martini perfect binding systems. Installation of a Muller Martini Publica PRO12 binding system is currently underway at Sheridan’s Versailles, KY facility and is expected to be fully operational by year end. This highly automated system boasts a robust 12,000 cycles per hour and features a 24-pocket gathering line, end-sheet tipping and lining station, EVA and PUR glue application, trimmer, and stacker. Another perfect binding system, also a Muller Martini Publica PRO12, has been installed at the Grand Rapids, MI facility and is ramping up operations.

More than 100 manroland Goss presses worldwide produce for the printing giant Quad – one of North America's largest printing companies and a global marketing experience company that unites all the essential resources required for frictionless, scalable marketing execution. In the last seven years alone, manroland Goss has successfully commissioned eight new presses for Quad. The two newest machines, two LITHOMAN IV presses, are in operation at Quad's Hartford, Wisconsin, location. The customer and manufacturer are working together to achieve a peak run time of 52,500 rph on the recently installed LITHOMAN IV – a new record speed for manroland Goss commercial web presses. *Production successfully started on two new LITHOMAN IV presses at Quad in Hartford, Wisconsin. *More than 100 presses worldwide testify to Quad's decades of confidence in the quality and reliability of manroland Goss. *Drive for top performance: Customer and manufacturer work on a new top speed for the LITHOMAN IV.

Sun Chemical has further enhanced its sheetfed offset direct food contact ink offering with the launch of an innovative, ‘green’ shade blue pigment that helps to increase the color gamut available to designers and brand owners, especially now within the ‘green’ shade color space without comprising compliance to accepted food safety standards. Due to the stringent compliance requirements Sun Chemical adheres to for direct food contact (DFC) printing, there is a rigorous pigment selection process used by Sun Chemical for its DFC product range which considers pigment chemistry and potential non-intentionally added substances (NIAS). Currently, there are no suitable green pigments available on the market. The commercial green pigments that are available contain residual NIAS of regulatory concern, which could potentially migrate into the food. This has restricted the colour palette available for direct food contact inks. The addition of this new base to the SunPak DirectFood Plus range means that 1801 colours can now be achieved at a tolerance of Delta E <2 (dE2000) to Digital Master Pantone.

The North American Carbon Balanced Printer program is proud to announce that it has signed its first partner printer. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Hudson Printing has joined the Carbon Balanced Printer program to further reduce its impact on the environment, as well as the impact of its customers. The Carbon Balanced Printer program offers its partner printers the opportunity to carbon balance their paper and print services. Members of the program are printers that have measured their own carbon footprint, then offset those emissions with the global conservation group World Land Trust to become a certified Carbon Balanced Printer. World Land Trust uses funds raised through the program to protect and restore threatened natural habitats in Vietnam, Mexico, Ecuador and Guatemala. By protecting these areas of high biodiversity and the species within them, World Land Trust preserves important ecosystems while preventing the release of CO2 into the atmosphere through deforestation and degradation. The amount of carbon offset by Hudson is equivalent to the preservation of 834,013 m2 of land, or the area covered by 156 NFL football fields.

Ricoh USA, Inc. announced the RICOH Pro VC80000. With this new high-speed inkjet webfed platform, print service providers can harness greater automated production, closed loop quality control and more advanced production floor integration, to enjoy highly efficient operation and application agility. The RICOH Pro VC80000 builds on the success of the RICOH Pro VC70000 and is designed for the production of exceptional quality direct mail, color books, catalogs, magazines and commercial print applications on coated media up to 300gsm. A unique family of software and hardware tools delivers increased automation of production, print quality control and communication with many AI, machine learning and data analysis features that ensure predictable and repeatable output with minimal operator intervention.

Quad/Graphics, Inc. (NYSE: QUAD) released its 2023 Environmental, Social and Governance Update. *Quad’s U.S. facilities recycled more than 98% of their industrial wastepaper and other solid waste through innovations for conserving raw materials, minimizing waste and repurposing materials such as paper, plastic and cardboard paper cores and limiting what they send to landfills. *Quad’s In-Store team eliminated 330,000 plastic polybags and other materials from entering the waste stream every year by redesigning the packaging for Quad’s LAMà Displays. *In 2022, Quad Packaging improved by 45% its carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions per one million pieces printed and used 41% less water over a baseline average established from 2018 to 2020.

Modern Litho, a full-service commercial and publication printer headquartered in Jefferson City, Missouri, today announces a new location for its St. Louis operation. The new facility, located at 5001 Southwest Avenue on The Hill, will accommodate more than 67,000 sq. ft. of production and administration space, and will allow for expanded services in the St. Louis market including: enhanced digital printing, expanded mailing, on-site storage, and fulfillment. “A lot has changed since 2018 when we first moved into the 5111 location. It has served us well and I believe contributed to helping us become the company we are today,” said Jeff Davidson, Owner. “We’ve experienced growth both organic and through strategic acquisition. Honoring our commitment to serving our customers means we must continue to invest in our workforce, equipment, and facilities,” Davidson went on to say. Modern Litho –St. Louis has moved from the location on The Hill at 5111 Southwest Avenue to the new facility and is operating at 5001 Southwest Avenue as of November 8, 2023.

The UK’s printing and printed packaging industry struggled with its performance in Q3, at least as far as output and orders are concerned; however, expectations are more positive for Q4. The forecast for Q3 was for some output growth to return; that expectation has turned-out to be overly optimistic as more companies experienced a decline in output than an increase. As mentioned last quarter, a fragile economy, lingering concerns over inflation levels, for both consumers and businesses, and the possibility of further interest rate increases; have not made it easier to do business. Printers continue to concentrate on controlling costs, increasing productivity, and looking for new sales opportunities. Some cost pressures have eased, and are expected to ease further, but so too have prices – and lower prices yet may be required to encourage more output and order growth in Q4. The latest Printing Outlook survey reveals that one-third (33%) of printers managed to increase their output levels in the third quarter of 2023, whilst another third was able to hold output steady.

Third Quarter Financial Highlights and Recent Events • Total revenue increased by 2.8% to $69.8 million, from $67.9 million in the third quarter of 2022. • Envelope segment revenue up 0.4% to $49.3 million, from $49.1 million in the prior year. • Packaging and specialty products segment revenue of $20.5 million, up 9.1% from $18.8 million last year. • Net earnings were $5.0 million, compared to $8.1 million last year.

In the wake of its successful launch in Montréal this spring, TC Transcontinental (TSX: TCL.A TCL.B) announces the expansion of raddar, the reinvented flyer, across Québec as well as in areas of Ontario and British Columbia. raddar™ is a thin leaflet folded in four that combines flyers from various retailers into a single printed product. Distributed via Canada Post, raddar™ greatly reduces the volume of paper used. With raddar™ and its digital platform raddar.ca, consumers can benefit from the best of both worlds. Between February and May 2024, raddar™ will be rolled out gradually across the province of Québec, replacing Publisac. This will add 2.8 million households to the 1 million copies of raddar™ already distributed in the Greater Montreal area.

Kodak is proud to announce Mercury Print Productions as its first customer for the KODAK PROSPER 7000 Turbo Press. Mercury, based in Rochester, NY, USA, has chosen the fastest inkjet web press currently available on the market to significantly expand its high-volume digital printing capacity. Mercury has been a user of KODAK PROSPER Technology Solutions since 2011, printing up to 10 million pages per day. The renowned print service provider will use the new PROSPER 7000 Turbo Press for a wide range of print jobs, including educational, trade and children’s books, personalized direct mail, marketing collateral, transactional documents as well as short to medium-run packaging requiring variable print.

Sun Chemical has launched its new groundbreaking ‘Pace’ technology platform for sheetfed offset inks. SunPak FSP, Sun Chemical’s flagship sheetfed offset low migration ink for food packaging, will be the first ink to transition to the new technology with the launch of SunPak FSP EcoPace. The inks are designed to support optimal productivity on high-speed modern printing machines and have strong sustainability credentials. In an era marked by faster machines, lower-quality papers, cost pressures, and sustainability goals, printers are encountering more challenges than ever before. Sun Chemical recognises these challenges and, as a result, is introducing this revolutionary ink based on innovative binder technology providing higher body and lower tack. The benefit of the new technology has been proven through rigorous long-term testing to deliver the highest levels of productivity, the lowest applied cost, and the best overall sustainability benefits. Sun Chemical’s dedication to compliance and certifications also ensures that Sun Chemical’s products not only meet but exceed current regulatory requirements. Pace technology delivers Sun Chemical’s most sustainable offerings yet. This is achieved through a dual approach of selecting vegetable oil based formulations in which PTFE wax is not used. These formulations deliver the highest bio-renewable content (BRC) supplemented by exceptional performance on press that ensures minimal wastage of paper/board and subsequently reduced usage of energy and solvent wash through fewer stoppages.

*Reported revenue decreased 3.1% including impact from divestitures, while comparable adjusted revenue was flat year-over-year *Third quarter GAAP diluted EPS was ($0.18) while adjusted diluted EPS was $0.79 *Net loss of $8.0 million including restructuring and other charges in the quarter, down from net income of $14.7 million in the prior year

Kirkwood, a premier full-service integrated communications provider, and DGI Communications, a premier full-service audio visual and technology solutions proudly announce the sale of DGI’s Invisuals print division to Kirkwood. Since 1994, DGI Invisuals has been a distinguished leader in the field, and one of the largest providers of large-format and graphic solutions in New England. This noteworthy development underscores Kirkwood and DGI’s shared dedication to meeting their expanding customer requirements while maintaining a leading position in the ever-changing landscape of their core businesses. Following the transaction, DGI Communications will remain focused on growing their rapidly expanding audio-visual integration, consulting and technology business. Established in 1994, DGI Invisuals has consistently delivered high-quality visual communication products and services, serving a diverse range of industries, including retail, government, finance, education, healthcare, architecture/LEED certifications, corporate, ad agencies, museums, sporting venues, food service, vehicle wraps, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and non-profits.

*Reported Net Sales of $700 million in the third quarter of 2023 compared to $830 million in the third quarter of 2022, and Net Loss of $3 million in the third quarter of 2023, or $0.06 diluted loss per share, compared to Net Earnings and diluted earnings per share of $14 million and $0.27 in the third quarter of 2022, respectively. *Increased Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities by $71 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. *Increased Free Cash Flow by $61 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, including $27 million of Free Cash Flow generation in the third quarter of 2023. *Reduced Net Debt by $132 million over the last 12 months to end the third quarter with a Debt Leverage Ratio of 2.36x, which is within the company’s long-term targeted leverage range of 2.0x – 2.5x.

In today's printing industry, the concept of innovation is wide in definition, but rather narrow in its goal. Leading companies grasp many tools to define themselves, increase profitability, and differentiate themselves. They utilize new technologies, systems integration, novel human resources practices, diversification, exemplary customer services, and so much more. The six companies included in the 2023 class of Printing Impressions’ Innovators of the Year were nominated by printing industry experts and consultants who identified them as notables. The business tactics and philosophies they employ may provide some inspiration to take your company to similar, greater heights. The summary of Bradford & Bigelow that follows shares what makes this company innovative, interesting, and exceptional. The insight it presents may provide the inspiration you need to take your company to a new level, or in a new direction.

Tweddle Group has been named a 2023 Top Workplaces winner. The Top Workplaces program—administered by Energage—boasts a 17-year history of surveying and celebrating organizations that have built people-first workplace cultures. Energage surveys companies nationally and across 60 regional markets to identify the best for each industry sector. Their 2023 Top Workplaces win identifies Tweddle Group as one of the best places to work in the Technology Industry. “We’re proud to see our work environment recognized,” said Tweddle Group President Todd Headlee. “The Tweddle Group team operates at a very high level and has been doing so for nearly 70 years now. They show a tremendous spirit while offering one of the broadest solution suites available to our manufacturing clients. It’s a rare combination. This award is a testament to the quality of our people.”

The Sheridan Worzalla printing facility, which specializes in high-quality children’s books, cookbooks, and hardcover best sellers, is celebrating the release of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No Brainer. This is the 18th book from the #1 international bestselling series Diary of a Wimpy Kid by author and cartoonist Jeff Kinney, and published by Abrams. Sheridan Worzalla has been the domestic manufacturing headquarters of the popular series since the first book. “We are proud to be entrusted to print the next installment of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series,” said Paul Bozuwa, President of Sheridan. “With our dedication to maintaining quality printing standards, we cannot wait for Wimpy Kid fans to get the latest edition in their hands.” Publisher Abrams announced No Brainer in the spring of 2023 so that Sheridan Worzalla could plan for the production of millions of copies of the 224-page hardcovered young adult fiction book.

Etimark, a label and package printer based in Switzerland, has made the switch from mercury to UV LED curing for its presses after adopting Flint Group’s EkoCure® Dual Cure ink range. Etimark, known for its customised package printing solutions, made a milestone decision to start using LED curing ink after realising how it could increase print speed, process security, and sustainability while reducing maintenance requirements. Since installing its first LED press in 2020, the international specialist in customised packaging printing transitioned all its production to the EkoCure® Dual Cure ink system in just one year and is now reaping the benefits of this innovative technology. Etimark’s transition to using EkoCure® Dual Cure ink across its LED presses is detailed in a new video that can be found with this link: https://bit.ly/3F126tx

Q3 2023 • Revenue of $1.65 billion, down 5.7 percent, or 7.4 percent in constant currency. • GAAP net income of $49 million, or $0.28 per share, up $432 million or $2.76 per share, yearover-year, respectively. • Operating cash flow of $124 million, up $132 million year-over-year. • Free cash flow of $112 million, up $130 million year-over-year. • Announces Reinvention, expected to deliver improvement in adjusted operating income of at least $300 million by 2026.

PRINTING United Alliance, the most comprehensive member-based printing and graphic arts association in North America, announces that AlphaGraphics has joined the association. AlphaGraphics is a franchised chain of 270 independently owned and operated marketing service providers with full-service print shops. The partnership was officially signed at PRINTING United Expo, taking place in Atlanta on October 18-20. For more information about Alliance membership, visit: www.printing.org/membership. The Alliance serves industry professionals with preeminent education and training through its unparalleled iLEARNING+ online learning platform; comprehensive workshops; highly-sought after research; legislative and regulatory advocacy; HR-related issues; environmental, health, and safety resources and guidance; as well as impactful content through its leading powerhouse media brands. Joining the Alliance provides AlphaGraphics franchisees across the United States with immediate access to all of these premier member programs and services.

At PRINTING United Expo this week, Ashley Roberts, managing editor at PRINTING United Alliance, ran an informative panel session taking a closer look at driving direct mail results using embellishments. She was joined by Tim Armstrong, the founder of Flowcode; Scott Evans, president and CEO of Kenmore Envelope; and Chris Matthews, account manager for Scentisphere. In general, the panel agreed that if there is one thing attendees can take away from the session, it’s that direct mail is a powerful way to connect to individual consumers, forging connections that an online presence alone simply can’t match. But to take direct mail even further and drive response rates up to 30% or more, embellishments are the way to go. Evans noted that “the big trends we’re seeing right now are that embellishments are real, and the drive real response.

Ennis, Inc. is pleased to announce its acquisition of Eagle Graphics, Inc. from Annville, PA and Diamond Graphics, Inc. from Bensalem, PA. Since 1976, Eagle Graphics has specialized in fulfilling the commercial printing needs of its customers. Some of Eagle Graphics capabilities include 8-color UV web printing, digital printing, security printing, jumbo rolls, traditional forms and direct mail. Diamond Graphics, founded in 1999, specializes in Direct Mail printing and has a combination of presses that allow for flexibility. Diamond is known for their Direct Mail printing and the high-volume padding done for the non-profit industry.

Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced the new upcoming1 varioPRINT iX1700 B3+ size inkjet digital sheetfed press, designed to deliver an exceptional combination of high print quality and fast, efficient production for the demanding commercial, in-plant, and direct mail print markets. Introduced as an expansion of Canon’s broad digital press portfolio, the varioPRINT iX1700 color inkjet production press joins the varioPRINT iX-series within Canon’s sheetfed inkjet portfolio, combining the flexibility of sheetfed printing with production inkjet. Engineered for reliable, high productivity and consistent, high quality, the new press will be based on a compelling blend of brand new and proven Canon technologies.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is pleased to announce an upcoming1 product, the LabelStream LS2000 inkjet press, which is being designed to serve the surging demand for digital, high-quality label converting. This inkjet press implements many newly developed Canon technologies highlighted by high-density aqueous ink, printhead, advanced fixing system and a variety of automation features to support efficient production. The entry into the U.S. label printing market is a natural evolution to support current multi-discipline print providers and expand into new markets. Our entry is built on the success of delivering high quality roll-to-roll and sheet-fed inkjet solutions via a network of strong customer support.

SCREEN Graphic Solutions Co., Ltd. announces its cooperation with KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc. in the development of the Truepress JET S320, an A3 sheetfed digital inkjet printer. The Truepress JET S320 prototype will make its debut at PRINTING United Expo October 18–20, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia. In recent years, especially in the commercial printing and publishing markets, there has been a shift toward businesses utilizing digital printing technology. This change is driven by a broader societal shift toward businesses that leverage digital data. In contrast to the traditional production of broadcast-style advertisements and prediction-based mass production, there is now a demand for data-driven targeting and personalized advertising materials. This shift has resulted in a move toward production that involves printing only the necessary quantity at the required time, often with targeted messaging.

In the dynamic world of printing and finishing, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for success. One remarkable achievement in this quest is the completion of our training on the Primera Pro Saddle Stitcher, a significant milestone for our team here at Schumann Printers, Inc. (SPI). This state-of-the-art machine has been an investment in both technology and skill development, and we are proud to announce that it is now up and running, ready to elevate the quality and efficiency of our printing and finishing processes. The Primera Pro Saddle Stitcher is a high-performance finishing machine that combines precision, speed, and versatility. It is designed to handle various print finishing tasks, but its primary function is saddle stitching. Saddle stitching is a binding technique that is commonly used for booklets, brochures, magazines, and catalogs. With the Primera Pro, we have not only embraced this technique but also have the capability to execute it flawlessly.

Tweddle Group announced a new vendor agreement with Harbinger, a leading manufacturer of best-in-class electric vehicle (EV) technologies, allowing Harbinger clients to offer a cost-effective solution for adding EV options to their commercial medium-duty EV and RV product lines. Tweddle Group will provide Harbinger with service manual content, labor operations development, body builders guide, incomplete vehicle manual, electronic parts catalog content, a web-accessible parts catalog interface, and a vehicle service web portal to house and distribute product information.

When brother and sister duo Fuzzy and Tami Marek took over their father’s business, they dove headfirst into an industry they weren’t the most familiar with. Fast forward almost 20 years later and the siblings have transformed the family business into an industry leader in field sales effectiveness and marketing execution services. If you ask Fuzzy Marek, CEO and co-owner of Waukesha, Wisconsin-based The Marek Group, he says that if his father were to see the company today, he wouldn’t recognize it — but that’s not a bad thing. “My father started the company in the early '70s. It was primarily a very small, couple person lettershop in Milwaukee. He started it and grew it over time, but it was primarily in the commercial print and fulfillment space,” Marek says.

Two UK newspapers have found a way of coping with ever-rising print costs. News UK and DMG Media propose to form a joint venture to combine their printing operations. This would include the printing operations of Newsprinters (News UK) and DMG Media printing sites in Thurrock (Essex) and Dinnington (South Yorkshire). A new company would be created to run the combined print operations. Specifically, the three current Newsprinters sites in Broxbourne (Hertfordshire), Knowsley (Merseyside) and Eurocentral (Glasgow) would be retained. This could mean closure of the DMG Media sites in Thurrock and Dinnington.

Digital printing remains a lucrative growth market in the printing industry worldwide. It now accounts for some 20 percent of the global print production volume (PPV) and is growing at an annual rate of around three percent. The latest Versafire generation from HEIDELBERG offers systematically enhanced digital presses for the commercial sector. The company is thus taking the integration of offset and digital printing to the next level and further strengthening its market position in the digital segment. “Our integrated solutions are a must for anyone who is looking to combine offset and digital printing and use them efficiently in tandem. That’s because HEIDELBERG has comprehensive process and application knowledge relating to both these printing methods, which makes us unique in the industry,” says HEIDELBERG CEO Dr. Ludwin Monz.

Trading since 1990 and with over 30 years of expertise in the print and paper industries, Dynamic Print has built up a wealth of knowledge regarding the print processes, paper and design. “Sustainability is a highly important subject and we are seeing our customers wanting more sustainable options when choosing the materials for their print projects. At Dynamic Print we have made sure to offer a full range of eco-friendly, fully sustainable printing and paper options. We have also entirely committed to “a Rewilding project” transforming our industrial estate unit “rubbish tip garden” into an environmentally friendly diverse space, creating a vegetable patch, customer and staff seating area, 4 various-sized ponds, a food and paper composter made out of pallet waste and we have seen wildlife in the garden from wild rabbits, hedgehogs, bats, moles and nine species of birds. Joining Two Sides brings many new ways we can communicate to our customers just how sustainable print really is. We’re delighted Dynamic Print are now members.” says Sarah Smith, Managing Director for Dynamic Print.

Schumann Printers has had the honor of working with Communication Arts for over a decade printing the go-to resource that showcases exceptional design, advertising, illustration, photography, interactive, and typography. Our partnership has been marked by unwavering commitment to quality and a shared dedication to graphic design excellence. We are thrilled for them to be recognized in Creative Boom's recent article titled, "Print's Not Dead: The Best Magazines for Graphic Design Inspiration."

Preferred Direct is proud to announce the successful installation of a new Hunkeler-Horizon roll-to-fold converting machine and a new performance upgrade to their HP 250 Digital Press. Purchased from Standard Finishing Systems, the addition of the Hunkeler Roll to Cut to Horizon AFV-566/T564 Folder System marks a pivotal step for Preferred Direct’s production capabilities. This advanced technology streamlines the process of converting large rolls of paper into neatly folded, ready-to-mail products. The machine’s precision and speed will provide a seamless transition from printing to finishing processes, reducing turnaround times, and increasing overall efficiency. Furthermore, Preferred Direct has invested in a performance upgrade for their existing HP 250 Digital Press. The upgrade now allows the company to achieve an impressive speed of 800 feet per minute (fpm) for monochrome print and mail jobs. This upgrade will accelerate production while maintaining exceptional print quality for Preferred Direct’s transactional and informational print clients.

Modern Litho, a nationally recognized full-service commercial printer and mailer based in Mid-Missouri, announces it has signed a letter of intent to acquire Direct Impaqt, formerly Mail & More and Brake Printing, of Columbia effective October 2, 2023. Both companies have served the Columbia market for many years providing offset and digital printing, finishing, and direct mail. Direct Impaqt’s production operation complements Modern Litho’s offerings and expands its footprint to include six production facilities located in Mid-Missouri, St. Louis and Kansas City. “Direct Impaqt has had a successful presence in the regional print industry for many years with well-established customer relationships and high standards of service. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue this commitment to customers, new and existing, while supporting a full-service print production facility in Columbia,” commented Jeff Davidson, Modern Litho President.

Questions surrounding the future of book printing drew a capacity crowd of 155 publishing professionals to the BMI (Book Manufacturers Institute) Book Manufacturing Mastered conference, held September 14 at Penguin Random House’s New York City headquarters. And though the book manufacturing sector was booming during the pandemic, economic conditions have softened and costs for most materials are continuing to go up. Still, speakers at the conference said book printers are generally in a good place, albeit with a host of challenges ahead of them.In addition to rising costs, topics discussed at the daylong conference included the renewed postpandemic threat of work moving off-shore, sustainability concerns, the shift from offset to digital printing, and labor shortages. “We’re basically where we were back in 2014,” said Marco Boer, v-p of IT Strategies, in the opening presentation. “We haven’t lost all that printed book volume that people were worried about when e-books came in, and so we all say this is okay. People are continuing to read and print, and that’s great.”

Komori America announced that Quantum Graphics, a commercial printer based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is looking forward to gaining a higher level of automation and faster speed to market with the investment in its fourth Komori press, an eight-color Lithrone G40 advance perfector (GL840P advance) with LED-UV and an MBO T800.1 buckle folder. Experiencing substantial growth over the past several years, the company services well-known brands that demand high-quality, consistent color and fast turnaround. The GL840P advance’s ability to deliver high-speed production coupled with the MBO T800.1’s automated functions will provide the increased capacity needed to meet Quantum Graphics’ aggressive demand forecast. “To meet our goals, we needed to update our equipment,” said Guy Peterson, president and CEO of Quantum Graphics. “As part of the process, we decided on the eight-color perfector because it would give us additional capabilities and greater capacity beyond our current offering. The press configuration is well-matched to the variety of work we already produce for our clients and will allow us to offer new inline embellishment and coating effects to add additional value to client projects. We anticipate the GL840P advance will double our throughput, which made adding a folder with the automated features of the T800.1 a must.

Utilizing 2022 as a third-party verified baseline year, RRD’s 10-year roadmap will lower emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) across its operations by pursuing energy efficiency programs involving several different technologies, including: *Energy-efficient lighting initiatives, including conversion to LED lighting *Heat recovery, a proprietary process that captures waste heat for reuse *Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades *Pneumatic system optimizations *Alternative energy, via physical installations and power purchase agreements *Demand response programs with local utilities, to reduce RRD’s energy consumption during periods of peak demand

CJK Group, Inc. has acquired select business assets of Joe Christensen, Inc. in Lincoln, Nebraska. Joe Christensen, a family-owned company since 1933 that specializes in the printing of law reviews and law journals, has made the decision to transition out of the law review and law journal business and has entrusted the transition of its publication work to Sheridan, effective immediately. This body of work represents over 300 publications, some of the nation’s top law reviews among them. Sheridan has been a significant provider to the industry as well, with over 350 law publications currently being produced in the Sheridan Pennsylvania facility. Chris Kurtzman, CEO of CJK Group commented, “Acquiring the law review and law publication assets of Joe Christensen, Inc. is indeed an honor for Sheridan, as we look to be the leading publication services provider to this esteemed market. Over the last two decades, we’ve devoted many efforts and developed streamlined solutions to serve this community and are looking forward to not only delivering on but exceeding the expectations of our new customers.”

PRINTING United Alliance, the most comprehensive member-based printing and graphic arts association in North America, applauds the formation of the inaugural Congressional Printing Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. This first-of-its-kind bipartisan Caucus will focus on advancing a public policy agenda that benefits and protects America’s printing industry and its rich, diverse, and varied communities. In the 118th Congress, Representatives Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24), Mark Pocan (D-WI-2), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR-5), and Jared Golden (D-ME-2) will serve as co-chairs representing the U.S. printing industry. ACG Advocacy, the Washington, D.C. lobbying firm representing the Alliance, is in the process of identifying additional Members of Congress that share an interest in the public policy challenges and opportunities in the printing industry.

Western States Envelope and Label announces the acquisition of Vision Envelope in Charlotte, NC. The acquisition will enable Western States to increase its envelope manufacturing presence and distribution in the Southeast United States. This new addition joins the current Western States Envelope and Label plants in Walbridge, OH, Erlanger, KY, Vadnais Heights, MN, Sun Prairie, WI and its corporate headquarters in Butler, WI. Founded in 1908 by George F. Moss, Western States Envelope and Label has been an industry leader in envelope and label manufacturing and continues today as a family run and owned company. While its 1200+ stock products with same day shipping are sold throughout the country – Western States is known for its expertise, quality, and innovation in customized envelope products. A process Geroge F. Moss put in place when the doors opened in 1908 and continues to this day.

Fiery, LLC, the largest independent provider of digital front ends (DFEs), and Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta) announce the release of five new Fiery® digital front ends (DFEs) as part of their ongoing and long-term partnership. These new DFEs are based on the latest Fiery platform, Fiery FS600 Pro, and customized to drive maximum productivity for a wide range of Konica Minolta production presses, saving time and increasing profitability. Fiery FS600 Pro is the most innovative and user-friendly Fiery DFE, providing unrivaled performance, superior color, and intelligent automation for digital printing. The new Fiery DFEs, fine-tuned to the Konica Minolta presses they serve, enable Konica Minolta customers to simplify and automate job preparation, color management, and processing while ensuring print production runs smoothly at maximum capacity.

Fiery, LLC and Esko announced a new technology partnership to develop innovative solutions that advance digital print technologies and packaging workflows. The companies will collaborate on workflow integrations to more rapidly develop new solutions to help print suppliers in the digital print and packaging industries. The companies unveiled seamless integration between Fiery Impress, the turnkey DFE for industrial inkjet presses and inline manufacturing lines, and Esko Automation Engine, prepress workflow automation. The integration allows customers to easily migrate their existing workflows for digital print technologies.