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Embracing the Back-to-School Buzz: The Impact of Print in College Communications

August 18, 2023/in Consolidated Press Blog, Print /by Consolidated Press

According to a June 2023 survey conducted by Two Sides North America, across every category of media included in the survey, from books and magazines to newspapers and product catalogs, consumers’ preference for paper has increased since 2021. On campus is no different, and the physical presence of these materials also serves as a constant reminder of upcoming events, deadlines, and campus resources.

Mapping the way forward.

Navigating a college or university campus can be overwhelming for new and returning students. Printed campus maps are essential for helping students find their way around the vast grounds. Whether it’s their first day or they need a quick reference guide, these maps are invaluable in fostering a sense of direction and familiarity with the campus.

By combining the convenience of a print map with an enticing online website or landing page that includes coupons, hours of operation, and key dates, colleges can offer a comprehensive tool that caters to diverse preferences. This integrated approach ensures that students can access information at their convenience while fostering a strong connection with the institution.

Play ball—and chess, and debate, and theater….

Sports events are crucial in shaping a vibrant campus, engaging the wider community, and generating significant revenue. To ensure maximum participation and engagement, they must be well-promoted and supported with print materials.

Game day programs, posted schedules, and quality signage are vital to creating awareness, building excitement, and honoring sponsorship and advertiser agreements. Combining these materials—which can be printed months in advance—with a digital channel that can be updated on the fly creates huge opportunities for advertisers and organizers to add extra incentives and activities for fans—and be able to promote them. This is where QR codes step in as powerful tools to bridge the gap between traditional print materials and up-to-the-minute online resources.

By incorporating QR codes on flyers and posters, colleges enable students to access real-time information with a simple smartphone scan. These QR codes can be linked to event registration pages, social media updates, or web portals for any last-minute changes or additional details. This seamless integration of print and digital mediums ensures that students receive the most current and accurate information—in addition to fun extras—enhancing their overall experience on campus.

Making a whole greater than the sum of its parts.

While digital communication efficiently disseminates event information, integrating print materials is a powerful reinforcement. The Two Sides North America survey reported that 56% of respondents believed that printed materials were more enjoyable to read than digital alternatives. By combining both mediums, colleges can enhance the visibility and memorability of their events, leading to higher attendance and participation rates.

Moreover, an integrated approach ensures inclusivity. Not all students may have equal access to digital devices or stable internet connections. Print materials bridge the digital divide, making crucial information accessible to all, regardless of their technological resources.

As colleges and universities gear up for the back-to-school season, the role of essential print materials cannot be overstated. Print materials, from direct mail to campus maps, sports schedules, and alums magazines, play a vital role in effectively reaching students and other stakeholders. By combining the best of both worlds, colleges and universities can ensure every student feels informed and engaged in their educational journey.

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/

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.

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.

Periodical Publishers Should Capitalize on Surprising Finishes and Formats

September 27, 2021/in Consolidated Press Blog, Print, Publications /by Consolidated Press

The golden age of print is happening now. More formats are available than ever before, more enhanced printing and finishing options at a lower cost, and lightweight papers that convey gravity and elegance while being economical to print and mail, especially for periodical publishers.

As magazines, periodicals and journals continue to compete for shelf space and strive to reach the top of the inbox, publishers should capitalize on the unique, hands-on experiences printers have to offer. Look for a color that’s outside the lines, eye-catching sizes and shapes, and highly touchable papers and finishes. The trick is to find a printer with these capabilities that also offers value, speed, competitive pricing, and unmatched quality.

Refining the look and feel of your publication will set it apart from and above the competition. Consider going outside the box with:

Paper.

Consolidated Press offers more flexibility and economy, starting with picking your paper. CP’s process allows for lightweight paper options that most offset printers won’t touch because they can be hard to print on. Publications can be lighter and less expensive to mail, making a huge difference to a magazine on a regular schedule.

Tipped-in pages.

Set your periodical apart with color illustrations, maps, coupons, advertisements, reply cards, and much more. Be sure your readers open to the page you want them to.

Customized binding and finishing.

Choose from in-house perfect binding, saddle stitching, drilling, laminating, gluing, and more — whatever binding matches the personality of your publication and works for mailing to your customers.

Color that dazzles.

In publishing, a printer’s capabilities should show their true colors. In addition to striking and precise color matching, true to the last page, CP can do a fifth spot color, as well as spot varnish. CP can print “5 over 5” in one press run, translating to faster delivery, less waste, and excellent color consistency throughout the run.

Versatility.

Not all the pages are created the same, and they don’t all need to go on the same press. Consolidated Press offers the upgraded, in-house process of simultaneously printing the inside of a publication on one press and the cover on another. This optimized workflow offers efficiency for printing pages while opening unique opportunities to make each cover impactful and distinctive using handpicked stock and finishing options.

After your unique publication is printed and bound, CP can shrinkwrap, mail, distribute and warehouse. We are indeed the premier resource for periodical publishers. See more of our work.

Consolidated Press is one for the books. Call or click today to start our valuable partnership in printing.

Paper Demand Creates A Need to Strategize

July 23, 2021/in Consolidated Press Blog, Print, Trends /by Consolidated Press

Paper and packaging manufacturing are feeling the squeeze as demand for printed goods continues to outpace the supply of paper. It’s a sign that industries are recovering from the pandemic, but what does it mean for consumers? Consolidated Press is ahead of the curve with a healthy supply of materials in stock, and we want to share just a few tips and tricks that will come in handy for our clients who purchase printed goods. Our goal is to help you save time, money and more than a few headaches in the future.

Plan Ahead

Preschedule the print jobs you know are on the horizon, particularly as we enter the crucial holiday catalog season. If you can provide your print service provider with estimates of the number of projects, materials needed, and page counts, they can, in turn, place supply orders now for paper goods to have in stock at a later date.

What’s Happening

There are critical shortages in the supply chain required for the manufacturing of paper. International imports of paper are at a lower volume than normal forcing domestic mills to try to pick up the slack. COVID-19 protocols and short-staffing are also causing slowdowns in production cycles and port operations across the globe. This perfect storm of circumstances leaves inventory low for many paper suppliers. It also means that paper prices are increasing.

How We Can Help

We constantly manage our customer expectations and make every effort to not disappoint anyone or delay work unnecessarily because of supply shortages.

Work with your sales rep to identify projects well in advance
Be creative about the size, shape, or type of paper you’re using for your printed piece to help with both supply and costs
Consolidate projects into one print run to save time, money and paper
Target or segment your audience for greater impact at a reduced volume
Look at other printing options like roll-to-sheet versus sheetfed

The road to economic recovery will have a few speed bumps along the way, but we’ll get through this together. Ultimately, the temporary supply shortages are a sign that more and more companies are investing in the future of commerce, and that’s a win for all of us. Know that we have your back and, when in doubt, pick up the phone to discuss your options for print success with Consolidated Press.