 Welcome back Foil Graphics! WSPA is thrilled to welcome back Foil Graphics as a member. The company opened its doors in 1992 as a trade only finishing house. 23 years later it has increased its production capabilities but remains "wholesale to the trade". Foil offers comprehensive die cutting, folding, gluing, foil stamping and embossing services. They have eight different fold and glue systems, five die cutters, four foil stamping presses and two envelope conversion lines. They produce all types of pocket folders, custom envelopes, standard envelopes, and a wide range of packaging products (paper board boxes and hanger cards).
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 Ratios Reveal Uptick In Printer Profits
The 2015 Printing industries of America's Ratio Survey results are in and the findings indicate a modest rise in industry profitability.
On average, the typical printing firm's profit as a percent of sales increased from 2.6 percent last year to 3.0 percent this year. Industry profit leaders-firms in the top 25 percent of profitability-saw their profit rates on sales remain stable at 10.3 percent-the same as last year.
The 7.3 percentage point "profit gap" between profit leaders and all printers just about equaled the average for the last 12 years---7.4 percent. The full series of Ratios volumes will be available in PIA's Bookstore in a few weeks and the free volumes and Ratios Customized Financial Analysis reports will be distributed to survey respondents soon. |
 More Good Printing News!
While anecdotal conversations might suggest it has been a mixed bag for printers this year, aggregate data reveals that US print markets continue their healthy run through mid-year.
The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) reports that a majority of printing and related support activity firms participating in their July survey experienced growing sales. Of the 18 manufacturing industries covered in the survey, 11 reported sales growth with printing and related firms ranked number four in terms of growth.
Let's hope for this to continue! |
Unions Receive Labor Day Gifts From National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
Last week, labor unions received an early gift from the NLRB for "Labor Day" (note the holiday is for workers, not unions). First, the Graphic Communications union (GCC/IBT) won a NLRB "micro-unit" case with a non-member printer in New York where the press (litho) department was excluded from a voting unit that contained prepress, digital press, bindery, and shipping/receiving departments. Decades of case-law say that an appropriate voting unit is prepress and press (at the very least). Picking voting targets give the unions a great advantage. The second case overturned the "joint employer" standard. This decision affects franchises, contractors, and employment agencies that provide temporary labor, etc.
An employer could be forced to bargain with a union if a contractor's employees are unionized. The new standard applies if an employer "shares" or "co-determines" various employment terms (e.g., wages, scheduling, supervision, work assignments, etc.). Indirect control over employment terms may apply as well. Both cases now go to an NLRB election. Ironically, the employers have to lose in order to appeal the decisions. If the employers win their respective elections, the decisions still stand. Finally, the NLRB General Counsel issued a memo on Wednesday allowing "electronic signatures" for petitions for union elections.
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Down To The Wire For Phoenix Golf Outing! Come Out and Play!
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 WSPA's Phoenix Golf Tournament will be held 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, hosted by Spicers and Kelly Paper.
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. Platinum Sponsorship ($3,000) - 2 complimentary foursomes
- Signage, choice of (pick which item you want your name on) gall balls, golf towels, water bottles
- One hole sponsorship
Gold Sponsorship ($1,500) - 1 complimentary foursome
- Hole sponsorship (pick one of the contest holes) Men's long drive, Women's long drive, Men's Closest to the Pin, Longest Putt
- Combined lunch sponsorship with signage
Silver (Hole) Sponsorship ($300) Signage at either the tee box or the green
All sponsorships include signage at the event plus recognition in program and on website. Email current HIGH RES LOGO in jpg, eps or vector format. In-kind raffle prize donations are also welcome.
For details contact tournament chairman Gary Matchinsky at 480-829-8890 or garym@bctarizona.com
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10 Steps To Successful Lithographic Dampening
On an offset press, every minute of downtime equals money lost. Being proactive with proper press maintenance-from blankets to roller settings to dampening systems--is the key to efficiency and profitability in your pressroom.
Here are 10 steps to achieve successful lithographic dampening:
1. Give a sample of your water to your dampening solution manufacturer for analysis. This sample will provide information for selecting the correct dampening solution and alcohol substitute chemistry for your dampening system and your plant's water characteristics.
2. Discuss your printing operation with your chemical supplier. Be specific about press models, dampening systems, inks, roller washes, blanket washes, and types of paper to make sure that they are totally compatible.
3.Check dampening roller pressure settings and durometer readings. This should include inking and dampening form rollers. Make sure plate-to-blanket pressure is also set properly.
4. Follow the manufacturer's mixing instructions. If the instructions recommend mixing between 3 and 8 oz. of solution with each gallon of water, start with the minimum of 3 oz. Take a pH/conductivity reading and record the information as a starting point reference.
5. Run this mixture of dampening solution and monitor its printability. For example, how does the plate roll up? How does the press start up after feeder trips? Does the plate run clean and open without feeding excess amounts of dampening solution? Communicate this information back to the dampening solution manufacturer.
6. Observe the scum line. When in perfect ink-and-water balance, an ink scum line will form on the lead edge of the plate. It will be thin and even (visually about the width of a lead pencil line) spanning from the operator's side to the gear side of the press. Check it often. When the line disappears, the dampening water setting is too high. When the scum line thickens, the dampening water setting is too low.
7. Check your dampening solution regularly. Paper coating, ink bleed, and blanket and roller cleaners can contaminate dampening solution. Take temperature, pH, and conductivity readings after every three hours of press operation. Record these readings in the press logbook. Keep the solution at the mixture you have found works best.
8. Observe the changes in pH and conductivity as the pressrun continues. When they reach a point where printing problems begin, such as plugging or scumming, the dampening solution is probably contaminated. Record your finding in the press logbook and mix a fresh batch of solution.
9. Drain and clean your dampening system weekly.
10. Check and service the refrigeration system on your water circulation systems regularly (after 1,000 hours of operation). This should be performed by a qualified technician. Proper cooling of fountain solution helps to control the viscosity of the fountain solution.
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 It is never easy to find good talent but with some helpful hints, you may have a leg up on the competition. This FREE WEBINAR to WSPA members will cover challenges in attracting and keeping quality employees at either end of the age spectrum. We will start with millennials, then discuss older workers, and finish with some universal ideas for engagement, management and motivation of your workforce.
What you will learn:
- How to attract and keep good talent
- How to work with and manage millennials
- How to work with and manage older workers
- How to work with and manage both groups at the same time
Date and Time: Wednesday, September 16, 2015 11:00 am MST/10:00 am MDT
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER |
Additional Free Resources Available To WSPA Members
They say the best things in life are free and when it comes to business - this certainly is the case!
As you know your membership in WSPA grants you automatic membership in Printing Industries of America, the largest graphic arts trade association in the world. At your finger tips FREE OF CHARGE are countless resources you can use for your business. These include, but aren't limited to:
- Archives of PIA's award-winning Magazine
- Technology bulletins
- Economic Flash Reports
- Cost Calculators
- Best Business Practice Guidelines
- The Value of Print Page with critical information on the industry you can share with your customers
- Mailing Survey
- MIS Survey
- Print Market Updates
- Seven Minute Solutions Papers and so much more.
You can also use any of this material as content on your own websites as long as it is properly attributed. Make sure you are logged in as a member to gain access to these free resources. If you require any assistance with your username or password, contact June Crespo at 1-844-237-1550 or jcrespo@wsprint.org. To access your free resources CLICK HERE.
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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.
One painful slip away...
If you come across a funny safety pic you think should be featured, email Michael Makin at mmakin@wsprint.org.
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 Tell Us About Your News!
Have exciting news at your facility? For example, recognized for community service or install a new press? Hire a new employee you want to show off? Let us know so we can share in a future edition of E-Connects.
Send your news to Michael Makin at mmakin@wsprint.org. |
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Quote For The Week
"Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much."
Helen Keller
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