 WSPA welcomes two new Colorado members!
We are very happy to welcome 1 Stop Printing, inc. from Golden, Colorado. 1 Stop offers a full suite of services including general commercial printing, design, bindery and finishing and mailing.
Visit www.1stoprinting.us. |
 We are also thrilled to welcome Sticker Giant from Hygiene, Colorado. Sticker Giant specializes in delivering high quality stickers quickly. The company offers free die-cutting and design services and usually prints and delivers the next day.
Visit www.stickergiant.com |
 Call For Nominations
Western States Printing Alliance (WSPA) is calling for nominations for the Z.A. Prust Industry Achievement Award. Established in 1991, the award is named in honor of Dr. Z.A. "Zeke" Prust, who started the Graphic Communications program at Arizona State University in 1958. For almost three decades Dr. Prust served as professor and ultimately Department Chair of the program. His accomplishments, both professionally and personally, have been an inspiration to generations of students, faculty members and the entire graphic arts community. Eligibility and Selection CriteriaA nominee for the Z.A. Prust Industry Achievement Award must: - Be widely recognized as having made a major contribution to the graphic arts industry
- Supported educational programs within the community as they relate to graphic arts
- Worked to maintain and improve the image of the industry.
Nominations must be emailed by April 15, 2015 to Michael Makin at mmakin@wsprint.org.
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 See Print At Its Best - Attend the Print Excellence Awards!
You are cordially invited to attend the 2015 Print Excellence Awards of WSPA. Join industry leaders from Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico at fun-filled evenings where "Simply the Best" printing will receive coveted Print Excellence Awards. The events will also feature the presentation of WSPA's Employee Recognition Awards, highlighting the efforts of amazing employees at member companies. Socialize with friends and colleagues you may not have seen in ages, see first hand some of the most beautiful print pieces produced in 2014, and cheer employees who have made a difference. Have you reserved your tickets yet? The Phoenix event will be held on Thursday, April 23rd at Rustler's Rooste. To reserve your tickets or a discounted table, click on PHOENIX REGISTRATION. The Denver event will be held on Thursday, April 30th at the Downtown Embassy Suites Hotel. To reserve your tickets or a discounted table, click on DENVER REGISTRATION.Detailed information on both events can be found on the WSPA Website.
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Energy-curing Ink Technology Accounts for 15% of Print Spend says PRIMIR
A new PRIMIR research study, UV/EB Curing Technologies In Printing, reports that about 15 percent of all printing equipment and supplies expenditures were spent on energy-curing technology. According to the study, energy-curing inks and coatings are used for applications in which productivity and durability are at a premium. Printers who utilize this technology realize quantifiable production and cost savings through decreased make-ready and wash-up time and quicker drying, resulting in increased press productivity. Overall, energy-curing ink technologies are less expensive to operate than conventional ink technology; output quality tends to be more consistent and most often yields a more vibrant final product. The two main types of energy-curing systems - ultraviolet (UV) and electron beam (EB) both rely on matched ink and curing systems to cause a molecular reaction that fuses the ink to the substrate when exposed to UV or EB light. UV-curable ink technology accounts for 96 percent of energy-curing manufacturers' revenue. While conventional ink technology volume is in decline in step with the overall drop in print production, energy-curing ink technologies are expected to increase from $39 million in 2013 to $47 million in 2017. The study further found that although UV/EB technologies offer real advantage to commercial printers, converters and brand owners, the benefits are not always understood. Equipment and supplly manufacturers must educate their prospective customers to enable these curing technologies to advance. The study found that nearly two-thirds of printers surveyed did not believe UV-curable ink technology was within economic reach. Most thought they were too expensive and did not provide a decent ROI. In contrast, printers that invested in the technology were able to obtain a demonstrable ROI, usually within one year. The differentiating factor between those who have and those who have not adopted UV-curable print technology is knowledge; detailed knowledge of existing costs and the change with the deployment of UV-technology. To purchase the complete PRIMIR study, CLICK HERE.
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 Think Outside Your Box The 2015 Print Leadership Summit (PLS), is scheduled for May 18-19 at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center in Minneapolis, MN. Whether you consider your company a marketing service provider, a packaging solutions firm, a display graphics enterprise, or a supply chain management company, if you PRINT, the Print Leadership Summit is for you! "The attendee response to the first Print Leadership Summit was so enthusiastic that we knew we had hit the target with this program," says Julie Shaffer, Vice President, Digital Strategies. " Print is still a huge industry, and we built a conference devoted to addressing the issues that matter to print business leaders with a focus on successful business transformation stories and detailed 'how-to' discussions." The keynotes and breakout sessions focus on transformative stories, with leaders of companies in a diverse range of sizes sharing stories of how they've adapted and are thriving in this post-recession business environment. The agenda highlights everything from sales growth, marketing strategy, pricing, operational issues, mergers and acquisitions, digital media integration, and much more. The conference keynote speakers are all entrepreneurs sharing business transformation success stories. Member price: Only $595 REGISTER HERENon-member price: $895
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 Don't Overload New Hires Here are four quick tips to help when you orient new employees: - Remember that an employee can only absorb a limited amount of information on their first day. New workers are trying to figure out whether they can do the job, get along with you and be accepted by co-workers. Stick to basics like where they can get supplies.
- Don't assume that new hires will read everything you give them. Review the pertinent facts in the employee handbook or other documents and invite workers to ask questions.
- Let new workers know who among their co-workers can best answer their questions. You may want to formally assign a "buddy" for new hires, but it's often better to let new workers get started building relationships on their own. Just point them in the right direction.
- Show, rather than tell, when orienting new workers to the big picture of what your enterprise does and how it works. Arrange for periodic introductions, visits and tours with other key personnel and departments. Don't try to do this all at once.
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WSPA Referral Program
WSPA is only as strong as its membership base and wants to continually grow to service its members. You can help by being an ambassador and referring potential members our way!
What's in it for you for spreading the word? If you refer a member and they sign up, your company will receive THREE MONTHS FREE MEMBERSHIP plus a personal gift card for you to use as you see fit. Refer four members that join and you earn a free year's membership plus four gift cards!
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Weekly Photo Feature:
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Each week E-Connects will share incredible photos on just how lax companies can be when it comes to safety.
The goal - to keep a safe work environment front and center on the minds of all of your employees.
NOT an acceptable form of lock-out tag-out!
If you come across a funny safety pic you think should be featured, email Michael Makin at
mmakin@wsprint.org.
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Thank You Print Excellence Award Sponsors
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Quote For The Week
"Don't be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated. You can't cross a chasm in two small jumps!"
David Lloyd George
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