New
USPS Regulations for Booklets
Have
you heard about the new USPS regulations for booklets? New
requirements take effect September 8th, and appy to letter-size booklets
mailed at automation and machinable letter prices. The purpose
of the new requirements is to reduce damage to mail and eliminate the
use of alternative processing methods for these pieces. Booklets are
defined as mail pieces that have a bound edge. This includes sheets that
are fastened with at least two staples in the manufacturing fold (saddle
stitched), perfect bound, pressed-glued or joined together by another
binding method that is automation compatible and produces an end where
pages are attached together. Booklets are generally open on three sides
before sealing, similar in design to a book. In general, booklets must
be uniformly thick. Large bound booklets that are folded for mailing,
also defined as a quarter-fold booklet, qualify for automation and machinable
prices if the final mail piece remains nearly uniform in thickness. Mailers
are encouraged to become familiar with these new requirements, which
include required methods for securing open edges, before the implementation
date. Find out everything you need to know to prepare for the change
with PGAMA. The regulations are posted in the Members Only section
of pgama.com under
Topic References, 2009 Booklet Requirements. (Member
login and password required.)
Health
Care Reform Action Alert
Congress is considering
major health care reform legislation that will affect nearly
every employer in the country. From mandating that employers
provide health insurance or pay a penalty for not doing
so, to allowing the government to set minimum levels of
health benefits, to increasing taxes on businesses; the
approach on Capitol Hill runs opposite of Printing Industries
of America's policy stance seeking cost control, more choices
in the marketplace and, ultimately, coverage for more Americans.
It is critical that the printing and graphic communications
industry weigh in NOW to urge Congress to take a different
approach to much needed health care reform. Send your Representatives
this pre-written
message to voice your concerns.
More
Printers Move Into Mailing
Ron Davis, Printing Industries of
America Vice President and Chief Economist, observes that
this past year ancillary services comprised 11.6 percent
of the average printer's total sales. That's up from 10.5
percent in 2007. Mailing services were the largest single
ancillary service with 4.8 percent of total revenue, followed
by fulfillment services at 2.3 percent. In contrast, printing
and prepress comprised 72.3 percent of total revenue and
binding and finishing 16.2 percent. This information is
from the 2009 Printing Industries of America Ratios studies.
Find out what else the Ratios have
to say by ordering a copy of the report from Printing
Industries of America.
SSN
Verification Fees to Increase
The Social Security Administration
has announced an increase of the transaction fee for their
automated Social Security number verification service
provided to private companies and government agencies. The
current fee ($0.56) will increase to $5.00 effective October
1, 2009. The Consent-Based SSN Verification Service is used
when a business or government agency obtains a valid, signed
consent form from the SSN holder. According to the Social Security
Administration, the increase was necessary to cover operating
costs because the volume of requests is less than expected.
Exclusive
Member Benefit-Free Training Videos
The free video training
series from Printing Industries of America has expanded
to 17 sessions. New additions include “Quick Changeover” and “Quality
at the Source,” which focuses on eliminating waste
from the workflow. This is one of the many perks of your
PGAMA/Printing Industries of America membership! To access
the videos go to www.printing.org/videotraining.
Attention
MD Members: Greenhouse Gas Meeting
The Maryland Department
of the Environment (MDE) will hold a stakeholder meeting
on Wednesday September 9 from 1-3pm in the Terra
and Aqua Conference Rooms, 1st Floor, at MDE, to discuss
Voluntary Early Reductions under the Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Reductions Act of 2006 (SB 278). The Maryland Dept. of the
Environment is located at 1800 Washington Blvd., Baltimore,
MD 21230.
Member
News
Member Kirk
Swain of DirectMail.com
was quoted in an online article on CNNMoney.com. Read
the full article here to see what Kirk had to say.
In Memoriam
The industry lost a great friend and advocate
on August 14, 2009 with the passing of George Atwell of Cavanaugh
Press.
On behalf of PGAMA and the entire membership, condolences
are extended to his family.
Upcoming Events
| August 27 |
CSR
Webinar Series Part 4: Doing Your Homework and
Retaining Current Customers, Noon-1:00pm.
Have your CSRs log in to this broadcast to learn
about researching a prospect or customer for
their Account Executives; winning referrals,
developing a proposal and more. Cost
is $90 per connection. Register at www.pgama.com. |
| August 27 |
FREE Webinar: Success Stories with JDF Automation, 2:00-3:00pm.
During challenging economic times, many companies
intensify their efforts to become more efficient
and drive out needless costs. The use of JDF (job
definition format) files to automate processes
is already having a profound impact in this way
for some printers. This webinar will focus on how
to incorporate new technologies via JDF automation
and its real world results. You will come to understand
the process of integrating JDF automation and how
it can effectively address today’s business
needs.This broadcast is FREE
for PGAMA members! More info and register at www.printing.org. |
| September 11-16 |
Special Event: PRINT
09,
at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. PRINT 09 is
where top executives come to learn, network and
make informed intelligent purchasing decisions.
From design to delivery you'll see the full spectrum
of equipment and services for: Commercial Printing,
Creative Services, Quick Printers, Book Printers/Publishers,
Mailing & Fulfillment, Package & Specialty
Printers, Wide Format Printers, In-Plant Printers,
Print Buyers, and MORE! Over 650 leading manufacturers
and suppliers will be exhibiting at the show and
80% of them will be showcasing newly released products,
technologies and services. More info and registration
at http://www.print09.com/My-Print.aspx. |
| September 16 |
Free Seminar: Protecting
Customers, Key Employees and Confidential Information, 6:00-7:00pm at
Intelligent Office (300 E. Lombard Street, Baltimore,
Md 21202.) In this economy,
it is critical for employers to protect their customers,
employees and business secrets from unfair competition.
In this presentation you will learn
how to effectively draft employee agreements; discover
the practical steps to protect customer lists and business
information; become familiar with the strategies for
enforcement and deterrence; and discuss strategies
for safely hiring employees who have non-competition
agreements with competitors. Presented by Scott Kamins.
RSVP to: coordinator@intelligentoffice.com. Be sure
to mention that you are a PGAMA member and the $20
attendance fee will be waived. Light refreshments and
parking included. |
| September 18 |
Special Event:
GreenTech Conference & Expo, 7:15am-1:30pm
at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (2004 Greenspring
Drive in Timonium, MD 21093). The Regional Manufacturing
Institute is sponsoring this event to help Maryland
manufacturers learn about becoming more sustainable.
More than 60 speakers and exhibitors will be there!
Cost is $50 if you register
by August 25th, $60 afterwards.
Fee includes lunch. Register online at GreenTech
Maryland. |
| September 20-22 |
Conference-Label
Printing Industries of America Fall Management Conference at
the Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg,
VA. "Get Back to the Basics of Business" is
the theme of this conference, and educational programs
will show you why and how to become an
expert in your customers’ businesses
and guide the strategic
direction of their enterprise. More info and registration
online, http://www.printing.org/page/5307. |
| September 24 |
MAGE Crab Feast, 6:00-10:00pm
at Ten Oaks Ballroom in Clarksville, MD. Come to the
biggest MAGE event of the year and enjoy LARGE crabs
all night, plus a dinner buffet. By popular demand
there will once again be Blackjack 21 gaming tables--play
for prizes! New this year: your ticket stub enters
you into a drawing for a Garmin GPS system. Tickets
are the same cost as last year: just $60 per
person for ALL YOU CAN EAT LARGE CRABS! ($575
for a table of 10.) Reserve
your seats by 9/18. Call
PGAMA, 410-319-0900.Thanks to our current sponsors:
ASI, EnerNOC, Heidelberg, Kline, Prisco, sappi, Xerox,
& xpedx. ***Only ONE sponsorship spot left---contact Paul at
PGAMA for more info. |
September 30-
October 2 |
Workshop:
Total Immersion VDP, at Printing Industries
of America in Sewickley, PA. VDP is no longer an
interesting possibility—it
is now a driving force behind marketing campaigns everywhere
and it offers printers higher margins and great opportunities
to differentiate themselves from their competition.
The trick is in the execution. Find out what you need
to succeed in this workshop. Member
cost is $695 per person. Complete details and registration
at http://www.printing.org/vdp. |
| October 1 |
FREE Seminar: 10 Things
Keeping CEO's Up at Night, 10:00am-Noon
at PGAMA (9685 Gerwig Lane, Columbia). If you're
a printing company owner, president or manager
wondering how to increase profits in a down economy,
this is the best two hours you can possibly spend.
Member firm Heidelberg will give concrete answers
to questions like: "How can I reduce make-ready
times and save on labor and material costs with
the equipment I already have?" "Am I
really making money? How do I calculate actual
production costs for specific customers?" "How
do I get G7 certification?" This is a FREE
presentation for PGAMA members! Register
online at http://sso.us.heidelberg.com/pgama. |
| October 13-15 |
Employee Education
Event: Intro to Printing Class, at
PGAMA, 9685 Gerwig Lane, Columbia, MD 21046. Give
your CSRs or managers an understanding
of how the entire printing process works with
this 2-and-a-half day course. A great training
tool for new employees! Cost is $295 per person
for members/$495 for non-members. Includes all
course materials, lunch everyday, and a field trip
to a printing plant. MAGE members get a $100 discount
on fees! Sign up at pgama.com or call the office,
410-319-0900. |
| October 14 |
FREE Seminar: Employers' Rights in
the Age of Social Networking &
Blogging, 6:00-7:00pm at
Intelligent Office (300 E. Lombard Street, Baltimore,
Md 21202.) This seminar will give employers timely
information about their rights concerning employees
online behavior, policies related to social networking,
and more. RSVP to: coordinator@intelligentoffice.com.
Be sure to mention that you are a PGAMA member and
the $20 attendance fee will be waived. Light refreshments
and parking included. |
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