 Welcome New Member Competition Printing! We are very happy to Welcome Competition Printing from Tempe, Arizona as a new member of WSPA. Competition is a full service commercial operation that specializes in creating print solutions for businesses of all sizes. Learn more by visiting www.competitionprinting.com. |
 Welcome New Member Southwest Letterpress We are also thrilled to welcome Southwest Letterpress, also of Tempe. Southwest Letterpress is a family-run business with 18 years of experience in the specialty printing trade. Its services include foil stamping, embossing, die cutting, scoring, perforating, presentation folders, custom letterpress imprinting and more. Visit www.southwestletterpress.com. |
 WSPA Members Shine in Premier Print Awards Competition
The winners have been selected and WSPA members did extremely well once again in the annual Premier Print Awards Competition, the largest graphic arts awards competition in the world, hosted each year by Printing Industries of America.
Almost 2,500 printing pieces from across the globe were entered this year with WSPA members taking a number of prizes, including Best of Category (the coveted Benny), Certificates of Merit and Awards of Recognition.
Alphagraphics #4 (1 Benny)
ASU (1 Benny, 1 COM and 5 AORs)
C & D Printing (1 AOR)
Cereus Graphics (2 AORs)
Henry Wurst (1 COM)
Ironwood (1 AOR)
O'Neil Printing (3 COMs, 2 AORs)
Premier Graphics (1COM)
Prisma Graphics (3 COMS, 1 AOR)
Publication Printers (1 COM)
Scottsdale Community College (3 AORs)
Vision Graphics (1 COM, 1 AOR)
West Press (1 COM, 1 AOR)
The Bennys will be presented during Graphic Expo in Chicago on September 13, 2015. |
 Arizona Legislative Update
The First Regular Session of the 52nd Arizona Legislature adjourned sine die on April 3 at 3:37 a.m. It was the shortest session in over 50 years and sometimes felt like a legislative version of the Lightning Round! One of the most controversial issues was education funding, at all levels.
Last month Governor Doug Ducey announced a plan to increase K-12 education funding by $300 per student per year for the next ten years. Funds would come from an increased distribution from the state land trust's permanent fund and would require both Legislative approval to get it on the ballot and voter approval to increase the percentage distribution. The increase would do little to raise Arizona from being among the lowest funded states for public education but it would move the state closer to pre Great Recession levels.
In other political news, Arizona legislators, campaign consultants, congressman and potential candidates await the Supreme Court decision in Arizona State Legislature v, Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. The issue is whether the Elections Clause of the US Constitution permits Arizona's use of a commission to adopt congressional districts. The commission was established in 2000 when voters amended the state constitution to turn over congressional and legislative redistricting to the Commission. Last month legislative leadership, anticipating a ruling in its favor, hired National Demographic Corporation to begin updating voter demographics.
-Elaine Arena |
 Changes To Credit Card Processing As of October 2015, all U.S. merchants processing credit card transactions will need to use a terminal/card reader device that can read the chip cards or the liability for fraudulent transactions will switch from the bank to the merchant. At this time, transactions that are not swiped are not affected by this change in EMV standards. Why the change? The United States is the epicenter for cyber-crime. Out of last year's total global credit card fraud losses, 47 percent of them occurred in the U.S. - even though only a quarter of all credit card transactions happen here. In fact, 43 percent of U.S. businesses were exposed to credit fraud last year alone. Why switch to EMV?- Lower risk for fraud, thereby decreasing fraud costs
- Improve dispute resolution
- Reduce the PCI annual validation requirement for qualified merchants.
Save With Card Connect Are you getting the best rates from your processor? WSPA members regularly save 10-40 percent off current processing fees. Card Connect offers: - Wholesale credit card processing rates
- Personalized service
- Complimentary processing gateway
- Patented security technology.
To find out if you're paying too much in processing fees, contact Rachel Lewis at 913-953-5352. |
Color Consistency
Given today's technology, one would think that producing consistent color is just a matter of pushing the "easy" button. Yet, as our industry's top performers understand, attention to detail is the secret. Here are five tips to ensure consistent color quality: (1) Output devices must be color managed and running color bars on all jobs and including solid ink density patches, gray balance patches, 50 percent tint patches, and overprint patches to measure wet trapping that is essential to control color. (2) Consider using GCR (Gray Component Replacement). By replacing some of the CMY that makes up grays in images and adding weight to the K separation allows greater range of control on press. (3) Ensure your presses are printing to standards. This means that most presses must be profiled AND monitored by regularly measuring TVI (dot gain), solid ink densities, gray balance and wet trapping values, as well as slur. (4) Standardize consumables. Use process inks that are ISO 2846-1 compliant. ISO 2844-1 inks are going to have very similar hue and saturation levels, and are specified in the G7 methodology. Any time a new product is introduced (plates, ink, fountain solution, or blanket), make sure to check your process control aim point to ensure that the press is printing to established standards. (5) Use ISO 3664 viewing standards since colors can appear differently under differing light sources. Questions? Don't hesitate to contact PIA's Technical Hotline at 1-800-910-4283.
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Colorado Supreme Court Rules on Medical Marijuana
The Colorado Supreme Court recently ruled that an employer maintains the right to have a policy restricting the use of medical marijuana by employees (Coats v. Dish Network).
The Court held that the Colorado law that defines "lawful" activities means activities that are lawful under both state and federal laws. State Supreme Courts in California, Montana, and Washington have come to similar conclusions.
Colorado's Lawful Activities Statute states that "lawful activities" are protected if off-duty and not on employer premises (bona fide restrictions apply, such as safety sensitive). Under federal law, marijuana use is illegal under the Controlled Substances Act, however the Justice Department decided in 2009 not to prosecute medical marijuana users who are complying under state law.
Arizona, Delaware, and Minnesota have statutes (with exceptions that relate to federal law compliance) that expressly prohibit employers from firing an employee for a positive marijuana drug test if that employee holds a valid marijuana prescription, however these laws have not be tested in the courts by employers. These three state's statutes have very similar text with regards to employer prohibitions, but Colorado's text if very different.
Today, 24 states passed laws allowing the use of medical marijuana. Four states (CO, WA, AK, OR) and Washington, D.C. have passed laws permitting "recreational" use. Oregon's recreational use law, which takes effect in July, allows employer to maintain a drug-free policy and drug test employees and applicants.
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 Chooseprint.org Gives You Tools To Share with Customers Need some new ideas about how to present Print's environmental credentials to your customers? Visit the www.ChoosePrint.org website! New updates include: * "Print and Healthy Forests" (Home page video) * 2 new environmental Talking Points * A new infographic on "Paper & Sustainable Forestry" (on the Downloads page) * "Why Designers Choose Print, Reason #3: Print Communicates (new Home page article and video) * "Why Direct Mail Won't Die" (new article in Archives page) * "Print Gets Consumers to Pay Their Bills" (article that's available for your use from the downloads page) Check it out by visiting www.choosprint.org. Also check out PIA's Value of Print Campaign at www.printing.org/valueofprint. |
Please Participate in 2015 Wage & Benefit Survey
How do the wages you pay your employees stack up against the competition? Are you potentially paying too much? One participating WSPA member used the results from last year's Wage and Benefit Survey to lower its overall company compensation tab by a staggering 20 percent. Are you leaving money on the table? WSPA's Wage and Benefit Survey helps you negotiate your compensation and benefits package to ensure it is competitive in the marketplace. If you participate in the confidential survey, we will provide you the report FOR FREE! This is a $250 value ($1,000 for non-members).
By now you should have received your paper copy of the survey. If you would like to participate electronically, CLICK HERE. You should have received your personal password to complete the survey. If you did not receive it, please contact Ed Gleeson at 1-800-910-4283 (ext. 756).
Please take the time to participate and take advantage of the intelligence you will glean from the survey findings. The deadline to participate is July 17, 2015. Questions? Contact Michael Makin toll-free at (844) 237-1550 (ext. 3).
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 Denver Golf Outing Just 8 Weeks Out The Denver golf outing is just eight weeks away - what are you waiting for? It will be held Friday, August 28, 2015 at the Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club.Described by Golf Digest, as "one of the best places to play in Colorado," the Arthur Hills designed course is a links-style 18-hole championship course that makes use of dramatic elevation changes, native areas, panoramic views and wide, accommodating fairways to appeal to players of all levels. Tickets are only $125 and include greens fee, golf cart and lunch. Foursomes and individual tickets will sell out fast so be sure to sign up ASAP. Don't golf? Join us for lunch for just $25. Interested in sponsoring the tournament? Contact Golf Committee Chair Sandi Neuman of Vision Graphics at 303-909-7410 or sandi.neuman@visiongraphics-inc.com.
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 Phoenix Golf Tourney Awaits! WSPA's Phoenix Golf Tournament will return with a vengeance on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at the stunning Arizona Grand Golf Resort.
Join colleagues and friendly competitors from the industry for a day of fun on the links followed by the Par-Tee on the Green, where bragging rights will be on display and awards presented.
Tickets are only $99 and include greens fee, golf cart, lunch and two drink tickets. Foursomes and individual tickets will sell out fast so be sure to register as soon as possible!
Want to stay at The Grand Resort? Take advantage of special WSPA rates by clicking HERE.
REGISTER HERE FOR GOLF
Sponsorship OpportunitiesInterested in sponsoring the tournament? There are numerous opportunities still available including individual hole sponsorships - many helping to support future GCEF Scholarships. For details contact tournament chairman Gary Matchinsky at 480-829-8890 or garym@bctarizona.com |
Weekly Photo Feature:
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Each week E-Connects will share incredible photos on just how lax individuals 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.
Piggy back disaster in the making.
If you come across a funny safety pic you think should be featured, email Michael Makin at mmakin@wsprint.org.
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 Refer-A-Member Incentive
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, we will send you a $50 gift card.
Send your leads toll free to Michael Makin at 1-844-237-1550 (ext. 3) or mmakin@wsprint.org.
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Quote For The Week
"Courage is the ladder on which all other virtues mount."
Clare Booth Luce
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