Help Block the Postal Hike
Help Printing Industries of America block the USPS postal rate hikes by volunteering as a key contact! Key contacts are asked to do as much or as little as time and interest permit. Such activities may include submitting a Letter to the Editor of a local newspaper or attending a local town hall meeting. Printing Industries of America and the Affordable Mail Alliance will do all of the legwork; all a key contact needs to do is plug into the effort by telling his or her company story. Key contacts will be able to review and give prior approval to any grassroots piece bearing his or her name and may choose to refuse to participate at any time.
To learn more about the effort, please visit www.AffordableMailAlliance.org or contact Printing Industries of America's Washington, D.C. Office at (202) 730-7970 or send an email to govtaffairs@printing.org. If you would like to participate, complete an online questionnaire to tell organizers how much action you're willing to take.
When UI Benefits Aren't Justified
Did you know that misconduct can disqualify an employee from receiving unemployment insurance (UI) benefits? It's true. Misconduct is among the specific circumstances that disqualify a claimant from receiving Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. The Courts have construed misconduct to mean the following:
- Conduct manifesting such willful or unjustifiable disregard of an employer's interest as is found in deliberate violations or disregard of standards of behavior the employer has a right to expect.
- Carelessness or negligence of such degree or recurrence as to manifest equal culpability, wrongful intent or evil design, or to show an intentional and substantial disregard of the employer's interests or the employee's duties and obligations.
Mere inefficiency, unsatisfactory conduct, failure in good performance due to inability or incapacity, inadvertencies, or ordinary neglect in isolated instances, or good faith errors in judgment or discretion are not "misconduct." The employer must provide job related facts of the final incident and prior warnings to the EDD that demonstrates employee misconduct.
More Companies Getting Certified
If a printing company wants to be successful today, it must be more efficient than it was yesterday. That's why Printing Industries of America Center for Technology and Research has developed a color certification program to assist printers with their workflow and process control. The program will certify to both the ISO 12647 and G7 print requirements, and provides certificates so printers can promote this fact to their customers. For more info, contact Greg Radencic at 1-800-910-4283 (X815) or email gradencic@printing.org.
USA Today Shares Printer Partnership Idea
For Association members that offer the ability to do "vehicle wraps," USA Today suggests partnering with a car dealer to provide a "next level car exterior customization" option for their customers. It can possibly be a real win-win for both your company and the dealer!
Instead of a customer having a single color custom paint job, through you the dealer can make available a certain number of multi-color patterns/images available to choose from. These can be predetermined and readily available products for any or all the model lines sold by the dealer. Just like adding an accessory to the car, like custom wheels or upgraded interior upholstery, this can be a "pre-priced product option" that will give the dealer something special to offer their customers, giving new distinctions that the customers can choose, and a business opportunity to the printer to expand their services to a new type of "print buyer."
2nd Quarter Print Market Survey Sent
A summary of the 2010 2nd quarter Print Market Survey from Printing Industries of America has been sent via email to all PGAMA members. The Flash Report summarizes sales trends and expectations, printing prices, cost benchmarks, financial performance and current business challenges. Members can receive a FREE full copy of any quarter's report by participating in the survey. Printing Industries also now provides detailed results of each quarterly survey compared to previous surveys in a new publication, the Print Market Update Report. The 2010 1st quarter Print Market Update Report is currently available for members to download on printing.org for a cost of $15.00. (Non-members pay $100). If you have questions about either publication, contact Ed Gleeson at Printing Industries, 1-800-910-4283 (x756).
Converge Conference Website Launched
The Converge Conference companion website has launched and offers conference details as well as a wealth of information about the importance of cross-media integration to aid printers as they bridge the divide between classic print and new media. Among the features on the site are:
- Converge TV-with videos of Alan Davis of BPI Media Group, Bryan Hall of Graphic Visual Solutions, and Gary Garner of GLS Companies who share their thoughts on cross-media marketing, printing in the current day and age, as well as the importance of attending the Converge Conference.
- Blogs helmed by industry experts to add a constant stream of updated, pertinent content about topics such as the use of PURLS, QR codes, and the importance of taking advantage of innovative technologies.
This Converge Conference site has information for all levels of users, and is a great starting point for those looking to explore the benefits of cross-media for the first time, as well as for experienced, savvy printers who can use the helpful tips to fine-tune and perfect their approach to cross-media integration. Check it out today at www.printing.org/converge. The Converge Conference will be held November 6–9 in Memphis, TN.
Member News
Business Development Opportunity: Does your printing firm meet United States SCI/TSC requirements for handling printed materials and documents? PGAMA has received a request from a firm seeking a printing company with appropriate clearance. If your firm meets these requirements please contact Kerry Stackpole at PGAMA 410-319-0900 for more information. All replies are confidential.
Congrats to Jim Mayes from Colorcraft of Virginia, who will receive the Printing Industries of Florida's prestigious Graphic Arts Leaders of the Americas (GALA) Award during the Graphics of the Americas Expo & Conference being held in Orlando, Florida, on February 24-26, 2011.
Congrats also to Westland Enterprises, Inc. on receiving an Award of Recognition and four Certificates of Merit in Printing Industries of America's Premier Print Awards.
Last week we announced that Diamond Finishing & Graphics, Inc. was one of the newest PGAMA members. This week, we are happy to share some details on the company's products and services, which include: custom printed index tab; clear overlay binders; screen printed vinyl binder (in as little as 5 days!); foil stamped vinyl or cardboard binders; pre-designed templates; specialty die cutting of certificates, menus, invitations, announcements, pocket folders, etc., and more. For further information contact Ms. Bert Lowe at the office, 301-369-2463. Diamond Finishing & Graphics, Inc. is located at 9865 Washington Blvd. Suite E in Laurel, MD 20723.
Upcoming
Events
| August 24 |
Special Event: Xerox Workflow Solutions Workshop, 9:30am-3:00pm at the D.C. Xerox office, 1301 K Street NW, Washington DC, 20005 office. In this Interactive Knowledge Sharing Workshop, you'll learn how to: automate your pre-press activities; streamline your workflow; use a web storefront to increase revenue and customer retention; implement a marketing program to build your business and more. See a number of different solutions all geared at increasing productivity in one location, including the latest Xerox product line of production black and white and color digital presses. Learn more and register here.
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| September 1 |
Early Bird Registration Deadline for Executive Management Summit & Sales Symposium
Register by September 1 for the PGAMA/PIVA 2010 Executive Management Summit, and save $100! Introductory brochure for this event was mailed to members this week. Full brochure with full conference agenda coming soon. Get more info about the Summit and register at www.pgama.com/2010summit
Sponsorship opportunities for the Summit still available! Contact Carol Atwood at the PGAMA office for details, 410-319-0900. |
| September 9 |
Webinar: Creating Flawless Files that are Print-Ready, 2:00-3:00pm. A recent Printing Industries of America survey showed that 70% of printers need to repair more than half of all files submitted before they can be output successfully. Solid digital file creation is the key element to reproducing jobs in a time- and cost-efficient manner for print production. Go “under the hood” with Adobe CS5 and other desktop publishing applications and become a pro at preparing digital files for print production! Led by Joe Marin, Senior Analyst, Digital Technologies, Printing Industries of America. Cost is $49 for members/$99 for non-members. More info and register at http://www.printing.org/node/6166
***Printers: Purchase this webinar for your customers to strengthen your relationships, AND get problem-free files! |
| September 13-14 |
Workshop: Optimizing Color from Your Digital Press, Printing Industries of America headquarters in Sewickley, PA. Become or develop the "go to" person when it comes to troubleshooting color problems in your digital workflow. This brand new workshop was designed to supply you with a comprehensive look at what it takes to produce reliable, predictable, high-quality color on your digital press. It is a perfect blend of intense lab instruction and quality hands-on training, leaving you totally immersed in the subject of digital color and press optimization. Led by Julie Shaffer, Vice President of Digital Technologies, Printing Industries of America and David Zwang, Principal Consultant, Zwang & Company. Cost is $595 for members/$1095 for non-members. More info and register at http://www.printing.org/node/5960. |
| September 14-15 |
Government Affairs Event: Printing Industries of America Legislative Conference, Washington, D.C. This event serves to advocate public policy on behalf of individual companies, and helps build industry relationships with federal lawmakers and key administration officials. Meet Senators, Representatives, and Capitol Hill staff face-to-face! Attendance is FREE for members. Learn more and register at http://www.printing.org/printsvoice |
| September 16 |
Special Event: MAGE Crab Feast, 4:30-8:30pm at Blob's Park Pavilion in Jessup, MD. Plan to 'Get Your Crab On' at the biggest MAGE event of the year. New location, new menu and new activities will make this a fun-filled occasion for your clients, co-workers, family and friends. Tickets are $60.00 per person for members/$575.00 per table of 10. Non-member cost is $75/per person. Kids 12 and under are $20.
Deadline for reservations is 9/9/10. Call PGAMA to save your seat, 410-319-0900.
Sponsorship opportunities for the Crab Feast still available! Contact Debbie Woolbright at the PGAMA office for details, 410-319-0900.
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October 14-16
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Special Event: PGAMA/PIVA 2010 Executive Management Summit & Sales Symposium, at the Gaylord National Hotel just over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge near Washington, D.C. Get the latest information and new inspiration to lead your business to a successful future. Customize your conference experience and pick from an unprecedented 16 different presentations to attend, including an entire series of workshops geared just for printing sales professionals. More info and register at www.pgama.com/2010summit. |
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