What can other in-house shops learn from the state of Tennessee? "Adapt to your customers' changing needs," says Tammy Golden, its Director of Printing and Media Services.

 

 

For this successful operation, which produces about 70 million printed pieces annually, its ability to adapt has been a key factor. "We no longer see ourselves as the 'state printer'; instead we are the resource for creating and duplicating documents in virtually any form."

 

Although a large percentage of the workload is basic black and white printing, in the last two years micrographics services, banner production, CD/DVD publishing, wide-format, scanning, QR codes and variable data have been added to their growing list of services.

 

While website design has been among their services for years, they just recently added interactive videos such as tutorials and training materials that can be incorporated on to websites or downloaded on to DVDs. "We added CD/DVD publishing because many of our customers are producing less printed copies of publications such as annual reports, but want additional copies electronically. We can produce an interactive pdf for their website and on CD/DVD. With our publishing system, we can print the DVD to match the printed publication and include tray liners, in addition to printing directly on the DVD."

 

 

Whatever their customers need, this Nashville in-plant responds with smart solutions. When the state's Driver's License Bureau installed iPad kiosks for renewing licenses on-line, the in-plant worked closely with the bureau to design and produce eye-catching banners that draw attention to the kiosks. They also produce tens of thousands of personalized cards each month that remind those up for renewal that time can be saved by renewing on-line. "The timing of these mailings is critical. We have to turn them around very quickly."

 

"We have worked hard to build strong partnerships!"

 

To make sure that customers are aware of their wide range of services, this team of professionals puts a lot of effort into marketing. "Besides brochures and scratch pads, we also produce custom note cards (using our photography and design), bookmarks, banners, and DVDs that have samples of our work, in addition to resources for our customers such as images of the State Seal, State Capitol, and other official images."

 

Using their new digital color press, this year they produced a gorgeous, full-color custom calendar as a New Year's gift to customers. "It has beautiful images of the State of Tennessee taken by our photographers," she says, and also features a different product or service each month that we provide."

 

To be more competitive on long envelope runs and digital color runs, they recently purchased a Halm Superjet Press and a Xerox Color 1000. "Because of its speed, quality and ability to use many substrates, the Xerox 1000 has proven very valuable," Golden says. Its dry clear toner is great for spot varnishing, creating a highlight, while still producing a unique effect that not many digital printers offer. For instance, if you are printing a photo with raindrops, you can apply the clear toner to make the raindrops appear shiny. The production possibilities are endless. The clear toner can also be used for security purposes. For example, badges or passes, can be printed with a clear state seal, eliminating the possibility of reproducing them.

 

It's been a successful year for this in-plant team. "The economic downturn of the last several years has been a challenge for the printing industry," Golden says. "But we have worked hard to build strong partnerships with our customers so that we can identify what their needs are. By offering new services, consolidating, and marketing, we continue to stay viable and valuable to the state."