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Moving Printing Stateside

February 27, 2023/in Consolidated Press Blog, Print, Trends /by Consolidated Press

Local benefits, a reliable supply chain, and geopolitical factors drive print buyers back to the U.S.

Print buyers are making the shift back to stateside commercial printers—with good reason. Geopolitical instability, rising international shipping prices, and unpredictable delivery times—especially for large projects— are driving companies to create new relationships with local printers to ensure a reliable supply chain.

Publishers, universities, and other businesses have been outsourcing commercial printing projects overseas for years because they have been able to achieve comparable quality at lower prices.

When the demand for books skyrocketed during the pandemic, domestic capacity was at an all-time low, and for the first time in years, demand exceeded capacity. This along with increased paper and pulp being funneled into the paperboard market for packaging, sent the U.S. commercial and book printing market into a game of catch-up. But as supply levels out, domestic printers are able to capture more jobs coming their way.

For several reasons, companies are starting to refocus their printing dollars stateside. According to a Dec. 2022 article in Publishers Weekly, “China has a sophisticated printing infrastructure, but much of its pricing edge is being eroded by constant Covid lockdowns, shipping rates that remain well above old levels, and more attempts at censorship.”

Local printing just works better

There are plenty of other reasons print buyers are moving to local and domestic printers:

Sample and substitute availability. If you want to touch or see your paper options in person, it is much easier to do that with a local printer. Especially as stock capacity continues to shift, you’ll want to work closely with your printer to choose appropriate substrates and substitutes when necessary.
Shipping proofs and projects. When you can stop by your local printer to check your proof and communicate changes on the spot, you save both time and shipping fees that can delay your project. Shipping (or picking up) and storing the final product locally can add up to huge savings.
Security. Knowing your printer creates an atmosphere of trust. You know they aren’t going anywhere with your financial information, and paying them won’t result in exchange and transaction fees. You may be able to work out a payment schedule, and/or pay only when the job is done to your satisfaction.
Supporting the local economy. Harder to quantify, yet no less important to many, is the satisfaction of supporting your local community, its workforce and economy.

U.S. printers are cautiously investing in growth

The 162 commercial printing companies that participated in the 2022-23 PRINTING United Alliance State of the Industry Survey spoke frankly about their cautious expectations for the coming year. “25.3% expect business conditions to be better than this year, 40.4% about the same, and 34.3% worse.”

However, a shift of print buyers back to the U.S. could be a bright spot for domestic commercial printers who have had to navigate material and labor shortages, cost inflation, and higher interest rates. Many are preparing for growth.

Over 60% of the companies surveyed said they planned to make capital investments as part of their plans to strengthen margins, with bindery/finishing systems (61.1%), commercial inkjet (39.6%), and mailing capabilities (27.1%) being the most desired capital investments, and increasing productivity (83.2%), increasing production speed (58.7%), and automation (51.7%) the most frequently cited investment objectives.

Presumably, these strong capital investments will increase domestic capacity overall, and move inventory, which is currently very high, drawing more buyers back from overseas.

Time to ‘focus on becoming more resilient and efficient’

Patrycja Wisniewski, Canon Solutions America Corporate Product Strategy Director pointed to instability in China and Russia as a driving factor for print buyers to consider. “Regulatory changes that are influenced by governments will shift the global supply chain,” including manufacturing strategies and environmental concerns, she told Printing Impressions. “Geopolitical instability and conflicts remain a top concern, risk to global economic shifts and inflation remain, and volatile energy prices have superseded supply chain disruptions,” Wisniewski adds. “It is important to emerge from disruptions and focus on becoming more resilient and efficient, and institutionalize the new normal.”

CP wins Best in Division, and Brenda Monkewicz is Recognized with a Hickey Picker Award at 2022 PrintROCKS!

November 3, 2022/in Consolidated Press Blog /by Consolidated Press

Consolidated Press is thrilled to announce its recent awards at the 2022 PrintROCKS! Competition, including Best in Division, the Hickey Picker, and more.

Our very own Vice President and General Manager, Brenda Rossman Monkewicz, was presented with the prestigious Hickey Picker award. People considered for the award have longevity in the print industry, a stellar reputation among peers and customers, and significant contributions to the growth and sustainability of print media and production. They are dedicated to helping others learn and volunteer their time and talents with the PIASC.

Brenda brings over three decades of experience in the print industry, and is keenly focused on CP’s employees and customers. Brenda comes by her affinity and understanding for print honestly—she was born into a family of printers. She says she didn’t go to daycare—instead, she went to the hand assembly department. In her spare time, you’ll find Brenda relaxing with her family, traveling, boating, and rooting for the Seahawks.

At the same awards ceremony, Consolidated Press was awarded Best of Division for printers with 51-100 employees for our work on the Quail Lodge 2021 Magazine. The PrintROCKS event recognizes quality print production in the Northwest region.

We also received the following recognitions:

Best of Magazines:

1st Place
Quail Lodge

2nd Place

BLOOM Growing Wonder

3rd Place

Freehub Vermont Photo Book

Hosted by The Pacific Printing Industries Association, now PIASC, the PrintROCKS! competition celebrates the outstanding work of printing companies in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, and Utah. Learn more about the PrintROCKS! event by visiting: http://www.printrocks.org/

Clear and accurate print materials help elections stay secure and accessible

August 17, 2022/in Capabilities, Consolidated Press Blog, Direct Mail, Print /by Consolidated Press

Free and fair elections are the bedrock of American politics. Communicating in print has played a crucial role since the first one in 1788, and it continues to make the elections process secure and accessible to the entire voting public.

Election materials need to be clear, accurate and on-time

In the Northwest, we use mail-in ballots which, coupled with voters’ pamphlets, afford voters the time to sit down at their kitchen table and become educated on each candidate and issue while filling out their ballot. Accurate and clear printing means an accurate and clear message. Smudges, misalignment, missing pages and improper binding can all contribute to misinformation—particularly for those who are disabled or do not have easy access to the internet, including elderly and under-resourced adults.

Voters’ pamphlets are printed, addressed and mailed directly to voters in time to make informed decisions. Using a reputable printer for both printing and mailing services is key to proper list management and on-time mailing to registered voters. Any mistake or delay means a vote may be cast late or not at all.

A large printer like Consolidated Press can save money on mailing in several ways. We provide volume postage discounts by analyzing your files and providing postal logistics planning and strategy. We deliver mail direct to USPS bulk mail centers for faster delivery and postage discounts, and ink-jet addressing occurs in-line on our stitchers to save you time and money.

Printed campaign communications help sway voters

Taking part in our election process means being able to convey our specific ideals, opinions and plans to our constituents. Whether that is through flyering, print and direct mail, or canvassing, there’s a personal touch with print that you don’t get with digital communication. Besides that, print–even print and mail—is much cheaper and better trusted than television spots and outdoor advertising.

After a contentious race in Virginia, the USPS teamed up with the American Association of Political Consultants to ask voters about their sources for political outreach and information. The results revealed the power of direct mail for local campaigns.

Nearly 70% said mail sent to their homes was the most credible political outreach technique. Sixty-six percent of female voters, 56% of millennial voters, 57% of nonwhite voters, and 69% of college-age voters trusted direct mail the most. The survey also revealed direct mail in the top three most persuasive channels.

In addition, most people visit their mailboxes every day. They have positive associations with mail vs. unrecognizable digital campaign messages that are frustrating because of pop-up ads, potential privacy issues, and frequency.

Reliability is key to the civic process

The printing industry has been in a tough spot since the pandemic started. In the early days, working together in a building was nearly impossible. Later, worker shortages slowed commercial printers across the nation. Add to that supply chain tangles and paper shortages, and presses were in a constant state of catch-up.

Today, Consolidated Press is completely staffed up and enjoying a surplus of paper. Our suppliers and vendors are all coming back up to speed and are at pre-Covid turnaround times.

All of these factors add up to a reliable, cost-effective process suitable for government budgets and responsive to tight deadlines on the campaign trail.

With our efficient presses and professional staff, we can help you steward your resources while creating essential print products that benefit everyone. Let us help you educate voters—reach out today!

The Power of the (Printing) Press to Make Information Equitable, Timely, and Useful to Everyone

May 4, 2022/in Capabilities, Consolidated Press Blog, Direct Mail, Print, Trends /by Consolidated Press

Government Agencies and Municipalities Rely on Print

Municipalities and government agencies produce a lot of print publications, and for a good reason—they are responsible for educating citizens. By law, they need to make certain publications available to everyone, regardless of whether they have internet access.

Think voter’s pamphlets and, in Washington state, the ballots themselves. Municipal recreation center program catalogs. Transit schedules, walking maps. Driver’s guides. There are fliers and brochures at every public office in dozens of languages represented in any major city.

Governments are also required to seek citizen input on new developments and major projects. They require diversity and volume of input from citizens on projects such as bridge construction, new highways, and public spaces that are coming online. Zoning changes and redevelopments need public buy-in to move forward. A public involvement team is often brought in specifically to do this outreach, and printed communications or publications are essential.

Direct Mail Reaches Each Household

Direct mail is also vital for municipalities and contractors specializing in government outreach. Each year, updated recycling brochures are mailed out to every person who gets services. Changes in water, gas and electricity rates come through the mail. Every homeowner is mailed a value assessment on their house periodically.

Recently, the pandemic has compelled governments to disseminate critical public health information to huge populations as quickly as possible.

All of this information is printed to reach the most diverse and complete group of constituents.

Consolidated Press Specializes in Government Projects for Several Reasons

We have enormous capacity on our web presses. We can run thousands of pieces in a short period of time. Because we work at scale, we can nimbly produce essential publications very cost-effectively right when they are needed.
We are experts at getting your direct mail to citizens and employees quickly and inexpensively. We create and mail announcement postcards, parks and recreation catalogs, visitor’s guides, regional newsletters, and more. We can work with you on paper choices and other tweaks that create a lighter, less expensive, yet attractive and useful piece.
Some pieces are just workhorses, and they need to be durable for months or years to come. Books, manuals, catalogs, guides, directories, curricula, and collections of regulations can all be perfect bound into books of any size at Consolidated Press. Optical cameras on our presses confirm quality and placement, so even nondescript projects look professional and hold up for years.
Even public documents deserve their privacy. We understand that government information is sensitive and timely. We protect your information from public view until its designated release time and treat each project as highly confidential.

We believe in the power of the (printing) press to make information equitable, timely, and useful to everyone. Contact us today to start reaching your citizens tomorrow.

Three powerful ways employees shape the Consolidated Press culture

April 15, 2022/in Consolidated Press Blog /by Consolidated Press

Consolidated Press is growing, and we couldn’t be more excited to add additional like-minded employees on various shifts to our bustling print floor. We are building a solid growth strategy and a strong company culture, and we recognize our greatest assets—our employees.

As we seek both experienced and entry-level employees ready to fast-forward their careers in print and graphics, we asked our staff to let us in on why they love Consolidated Press and who their ideal co-workers would be.

At Consolidated Press, every day is different.

Print is one of the most deep-rooted creative professions, and it continues to evolve into the future. New technology helps us innovate and exceed our customer’s expectations on each job. Our exceptional clients challenge us to keep growing with each new project.

We bring books, publications, manuals, catalogs, directories, brochures, and newsletters to life. We print, bind, mail, and ship.

No two days are the same, and that’s how we like it.

There’s no such thing as too much fun.

The Consolidated culture is one of a kind. We have been working hard at evolving our company and creating solid strategies for growth, and we are seeking employees to help us build into the future. And we hope you like to laugh! Besides being talented, well trained, loyal, and innovative, we want to enjoy what we do each day.

You can fast-forward your career AND enjoy it at Consolidated Press.

We are together, as a team.

At Consolidated Press, we roll up our sleeves every day together as a team. Remote working is great…but it is for other people.

Our employees team up with leadership to innovate and drive success at two convenient Seattle-Tacoma locations.

But it’s not just a feel-good environment, it’s a stay-balanced workplace. Overtime is available if we choose it, yet we’re empowered to take our well-deserved vacations and holidays without burdening our colleagues. Management and staff work together to create teams that thrive.

With robust hands-on training, competitive pay, growth opportunities, and hard-to-beat benefits, you will fast forward your creative career at Consolidated Press.

Click Here to check out our career page and learn more about working with Consolidated Press.

Four ways publishers can capitalize on a reading resurgence in turbulent times

February 7, 2022/in Consolidated Press Blog, Publications /by Consolidated Press

Heading into 2022, book publishers are riding a worldwide resurgence of interest in printed books and reading.

At the same time, they are facing a shortage of paper and distribution networks that are crucial to putting those books in their readers’ hands.

Many paper mills have pivoted to packaging, the manufacturing workforce is mid-shuffle, and global logistics disruptions continue to slow shipments of supplies and end products.

Since we specialize in book printing, we want to share with you some of the ways publishers are capitalizing on the demand for printed books, while managing the challenges of printing them.

Print large runs in smaller batches.

Publishers are exploring a stock replenishment model that reprints smaller batches more frequently. Publishers will still meet—or even generate—consumer demand with a plan to roll out an entire run, but in increments that keep prices low and distribution steady.

Publishers sell directly to consumers.

Direct-to-consumer sales are nothing new, but it is easier than ever before to pass on retail sales, which can take up to 40% of the cover price. Using an omnichannel marketing approach, including social media, blogs, websites, and author following, publishers can create a community of readers clamoring for their books.

Experiment with size, shape, and stock.

Consolidated Press can publish a huge array of sizes and shapes. Depending on how your book is being distributed, you may want to try a different size or shape to keep costs low on shipping. In an era where it’s on-trend to buck the trend, you might find that an offbeat look sells more books—especially if it doesn’t need to sit neatly on a retail shelf. The same goes for stock. While CP has the resources and relationships to keep a range of paper stocks on hand, we can offer suggestions for substitutions when one is low or another that might be less expensive.

Expect the unexpected—and tell everyone else to as well.

Today’s mantra is communication, communication, communication. In all manufacturing sectors in 2022, releases, roll-outs, and launches will be…squishy. For book publishers, that means clearly managing expectations for your readers, clients, and authors. At Consolidated Press, our value is in reliable runs on a large scale. So, on our side, clear communication means letting you know exactly what supplies we have available when you can expect to get your project on the press, and if there are changes in cost due to continuing increases in paper and pulp prices. We are not in the business of surprising our customers.

While we recognize how much fluctuation there is in our industry right now, we are in the business of solutions—effective solutions in print, especially for publishers and manufacturers.

Contact us today to get started on your next book, manual, magazine, or catalog. Our power puts us ahead of the pack.

The Benefits of B2B Catalogs

January 18, 2022/in Capabilities, Catalogs, Consolidated Press Blog, Retail /by Consolidated Press

If you are a manufacturer or wholesale business, you know getting your product into the right hands is vital to your sales. One way to get a buyer to notice your product is to put a catalog mailed directly in their hands. Like in the B2C space, B2B catalogs are tangible content pieces that have a long shelf life, can build a brand, help cross-sell, and offer an overall picture of what is available.

What You See

Because a printed catalog remains in someone’s sight, the brand, products, and other details stay on the buyer’s mind. Especially for manufacturers and wholesalers who offer many different products in larger quantities, a catalog with comprehensive information makes it easier for a buyer to make wise decisions. Instead of clicking through tabs on a web browser, they can enjoy the convenience of having a single piece to view.

In addition, printed catalogs are more likely to be retained for future reference. Suppose a customer likes an in-stock product but is interested in a different size or color. In this case, the seller can quickly refer to the catalog rather than attempting to navigate a website.

Another advantage to a print catalog is that the visual elements help build brand recognition. The way the photographs are styled, the colors and fonts used, even the finish and weight of the paper, create positive brand associations.

Finally, a print catalog shows commitment. The planning, design, and distribution of catalogs assure your audience that you invest in quality and aren’t afraid to promote your business and showcase your products in the best light.

What You Get

Whether you are a buyer who is sourcing inventory for a storefront, a construction company looking for building materials, or a manufacturer locating replacement parts, the experience of browsing a catalog is more immersive than scanning multiple websites. As the digital space becomes noisier with pop-up ads, email notifications, and social media alerts, having curated content in one place lets the viewer discover products and potentially uncover new items that may not have been generally found with an online search.

Wholesalers and manufacturers can use catalogs to inform businesses that they have options. With delays in the supply chain disrupting inventory, the arrival of a wholesaler’s printed piece can open the door to new relationships. On the flip side, showcasing your product in print can help move excess inventory from your shelves to where it is needed most.

Let Consolidated Press help you open those doors and move those products. Whether you need to provide a business customer a quick and simple directory of parts, or you want to feature beautiful goods in quality imagery and special paper finishings, Consolidated Press can help you explore cost-effective options. We also specialize in one-stop printing, binding, and mailing, for an end-to-end process that will streamline distribution, getting your pages where they are needed most.

CONSOLIDATED PRESS IS AWARDED WITH 10 PRINTROCKS! AWARDS

December 23, 2021/in Capabilities, Consolidated Press Blog, Print /by Consolidated Press

Consolidated Press is thrilled to announce its recent awards at the 2021 PrintROCKS! competition. We were awarded Best of Division for printers with 51 – 100 employees for our work to produce the Advantage Mailing / Pearl Jam / Fender Booklet and Poster.

In addition to our Best of Division Award, we received the following recognitions:

Best of…

Books, Book Jackets, and Diaries
Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger
UW Publication A7597 Clamor Literary Journal 2021

Magazines and Magazine Inserts
Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger
Freehub Media Craft Magazine

Second Place

Brochures, Booklets, and Flyers
Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger
Western Washington University Jeopardy Magazine 2021

Catalogs
Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger
Barn Pros

Books, Book Jackets, and Diaries
Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger
Western Washington University Jeopardy Magazine 2021/JEOPARDY MAGAZINE

Third Place

Catalogs
Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger
Mallory Paint Catalog

Magazines and Magazine Inserts
Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger
Charles Wright Academy TIES Magazine

Honorable Mention

Brochures, Booklets, and Flyers
Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger
MOHAI Q4 Programs and Events Brochure

Books, Book Jackets, and Diaries
Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger
Bloom Journal

Consolidated Press Charitable Giving - Northwest Harvest

Join Consolidated Press in a low-key, high reward giving campaign this season

December 1, 2021/in Consolidated Press Blog /by Consolidated Press

It almost goes without saying: Consolidated Press is here today because of our customers and their customers.

You are our whole story.

We appreciate you every day. We dream up ways to express our gratitude. Our team shows it by getting your work done expertly, on time, and within budget. We treat everyone who walks in with respect and dignity.

This holiday season, Consolidated Press is pushing ourselves outside our own story. We’ve persisted through the last two years, and we’re looking at a bright 2022.

But not everyone is. For many, this pandemic is not even close to over. And we know that a safe and thriving community is better for all of us.

The pandemic’s footprint is massive, but together, we can fill in the gap.

That’s why this year we are making a corporate donation on behalf of our clients, employees, and corporation to Northwest Harvest this December.

Northwest Harvest supports a statewide network of 375 food banks, meal programs, and high-needs schools. What’s more, they work for real transformation by seeking to remove barriers within our food and economic systems permanently.

We’re so proud to support this Seattle-based nonprofit.

We know that our clients support important causes and organizations throughout the region. We invite you to join us in two ways:

✔️ Support Northwest Harvest by making a donation that fits your business.
OR
✔️ Make a holiday gift to a nonprofit that is a meaningful match for your company’s values and culture.
THEN
✔️ Drop us a line by Dec. 15 to tell us what organization your company gave to this season, and—if you have an extra minute—tell us why. In December, we’ll publish a post featuring all of our “Friends in Philanthropy.” Tell us your story at sales@consolidatedpress.com.

Together, we can make a big leap forward into 2022. Bringing others along with us makes the ride that much sweeter for everyone.

Local Publications Center Community

October 8, 2021/in Consolidated Press Blog, Print, Publications /by Consolidated Press

The local magazines, brochures or maps are still a vital and booming communications resource for small cities, townships, neighborhoods, and villages. Produced by local experts, and mailed to residents, these local and regional publications are regarded as trustworthy and filled with relevant information.

Relevant Content for Readers

Community magazines, usually mailed to residents quarterly, provide timely articles on local issues, schedules of community events, information about recreational activities and clubs in local parks, and guides to community development. Local magazines targeted to local audiences impart a sense of community, and build a sense of comradery in neighborhoods.

For example, many community magazines publish information regarding the hours and contact information for the township or municipal offices. They share waste management schedules, including special recycling events and yard waste pick-up days. Parks and recreation departments publish trail maps, summer camp options, and farmers’ market schedules. Community events such as outdoor concerts, fireworks for the Fourth of July, and even car shows all appear in the local magazine.

A similar community publication that neighbors enjoy is a calendar. Filled with photos of local flora and fauna, children enjoying nearby playgrounds, and other familiar images, plus holiday events, and information regarding, for example, school start dates or library book sales, community calendars are useful and stay accessible in households.

Print Options for Advertisers

Community publications are a boon to local businesses. Advertising dollars are well spent on space in a local publication. Because of the way these periodicals can build community, seeing an ad for a local business can feel like getting a recommendation from a trusted friend. These print publications help lead readers to an advertiser online as well; print ads that include QR codes and links to websites provide readers with more information.

Whether mailed to residents or distributed at a neighborhood business, locally produced calendars provide another cost-effective option for advertisers. Because a print calendar stays on-hand as a relevant reference in households, an ad is guaranteed to be seen. While an ad on Facebook may have a bigger reach, it does not necessarily hit the right target and demographic the way an advertisement in a local publication does.

Print ads in magazines and on calendars have longevity. These publications have a life beyond the mailbox, often showing up in dentist and doctor offices, neighborhood grocery stores, coffee shops, and pharmacies. When someone picks up a magazine while waiting or just hanging out, they engage with the content and advertising differently than they do on social media.

Professional Looking and Timely

The nature of a community magazine demands a printer who knows how to print, bind, and mail in specific quantities and on schedule. Quality graphics, clear fonts, and the right paper are key to eye-catching content and ads. Events and shopping guides need to reach customers by mail well before they are going to happen so people can plan and budget, both time and money. Consolidated Press offers in-house mailing services, helping publishers navigate and negotiate the best mail rates for their magazine or calendar.