R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company announced that it has successfully closed on the strategic acquisition of digital and print marketing businesses from Vericast Corp ("Vericast"). The acquisition was first announced March 18, 2024. The acquisition of the digital and print marketing businesses from Vericast will expand RRD’s digital marketing offerings with capabilities across display advertising, dynamic mobile, and social media marketing. Additionally, it will also enhance RRD’s print marketing offering, including cooperative mail and print coupon clearing business. The combined capabilities will strengthen the company’s position across print and digital marketing, especially as a leader in marketing influence and activation.

Walsworth announced it has hired printing industry veteran Andy Billett as the company’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Billett will be replacing Walsworth’s current COO Jim Mead, who is retiring from the company in November and will be based out of Walsworth’s corporate office in Marceline, Missouri. Billett comes to Walsworth with 25-plus years of printing and senior leadership experience at Taylor Corporation, Custom Ink and Jostens. Once he began to explore the opportunity to join Walsworth, he said it was a perfect match. “Meeting Don Sr., Don, and the team at Marceline made me feel at home,” said Billett. “Walsworth reminded me of my days at Taylor Corporation – genuine, honest and sincere. The values and culture at Walsworth are very strong, and the Walsworths have a compelling growth strategy for the future. Discussing this strategy and my potential role, and how I can help the team achieve it, drew me in.”

Sun Chemical will increase prices across a broad portfolio of its inks in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), effective immediately. The supply chains of colour and white pigments have severely been impacted by diverse challenges in recent months, including cases of disruption, shortage, insolvency, anti-dumping import tax, as well as further increasing sea freight rates from Asia. These factors have been driving up the cost of Sun Chemical’s ink products, encompassing both colour and white inks. “The pressure across the supply chain is causing significant rise in inks raw material costs and unfortunately requires us to increase prices,” said Mehran Yazdani, President, Global Packaging and Advanced Materials, Sun Chemical. “We will continue to work with our sourcing partners to manage and minimise the impact on our customers.”

Allied Media, a small, family-owned company located in Fenton, Michigan, recently installed a new Speedmaster CX 104 from HEIDELBERG. The CX 104 is the first new press for Allied, who has historically invested in used presses. In just a few months, the press has significantly improved the company’s production metrics and increased throughput three-fold. Allied, known for its fast, dependable addressing and mailing department, services a nationwide customer base – ranging from political and union organizations to large automakers and small local businesses. “Our excellence in the printing industry has been hard earned and well maintained for almost thirty years,” said Randy Rockman, President of Allied. “Our turnaround time and delivery to USPS is unmatched as is our dedication to our customers.”

Lane Press announced that it has installed a second new Osako saddle stitch binding system within three months. This completes the company’s upgrade to its saddle stitch capabilities. Installation of this Osako Tener Alpha Saddle Stitcher has been completed, and the unit is fully operational. Like the first Osako Tener Alpha, this state-of-the-art binder is rated to produce 12,500 books per hour and includes automation capabilities that reduce setup and make-ready times. This Osako will replace an existing saddle stitcher, such that Lane’s bindery will boast four high-speed saddle stitch binders and two perfect binding lines. Lane’s configuration of this binder will include one cover feeder, six pocket feeders, 4th & 5th knife trimmers, high-speed addressing, and full automation feeding capabilities. The stitcher is capable of handling a wide range of piece sizes and thicknesses, including tabloid and digest format, oversized blow-ins, envelopes, cards, and light basis weight stocks.

At Royle Printing, we take pride in our attention to detail and our commitment to delivering high-quality print products. Our comprehensive quality control processes are designed to ensure that every piece that leaves our facility meets the highest standards of excellence. Here's an inside look at how we maintain our reputation for superior print quality. Press Quality Control Processes - Our press start-ups begin with clearly defined targets for density, mid-tone dot gain, and print contrast/color. Bindery Quality Control Processes - In the bindery, we maintain stringent quality control measures managed by experienced operators and managers. At Royle Printing, our quality control processes are not just about maintaining standards—they are about setting them. From press to bindery, every step is meticulously monitored and controlled to ensure that the final product exceeds our clients' expectations.

Sustainability is no longer just an option in today’s world – it's a necessity. As a result, a growing number of companies in the printing industry are taking significant strides to reduce their carbon footprint. One initiative leading this change is the Carbon Balanced Paper and Print program designed to offset carbon emissions of printing operations through the conservation efforts of World Land Trust (WLT). Globally, 78 printing companies have now carbon balanced their annual greenhouse gas emissions via the Carbon Balanced program. The program has been particularly successful in the UK and Ireland where 77 printers have signed up. The North American program, launched in late 2023, is gaining traction with the addition of its first printer, Hudson Printing from Salt Lake City. “Taking responsibility for our carbon impact was the natural next step, and we are thrilled to be part of the new Carbon Balanced Printer program in North America. Sustainability is important to the people at Hudson and important to our customers. While we work to reduce our carbon impact, we are delighted that our offset commitment supports the conservation efforts of World Land Trust,” says CEO and owner Paul Hudson.

Forty years in business is something to be celebrated. For Sussex, Wisconsin-based Color Ink, which is a third-generation family business, its 40th anniversary marked an opportunity for the company to celebrate its history and the people who helped the company grow, including past and present employees, clients, and vendors. We reached out to company president Todd Meissner to find out more about its 40-year celebration — called "The Reunion" — and why it's important to acknowledge and celebrate important milestones in a company's history. Printing Impressions (PI): Can you give a brief history of Color Ink? Meissner: Founded in 1984 by visionary Jim Meissner, Color Ink Printing Company has left an indelible mark on the Wisconsin printing landscape. What began as a modest venture has blossomed into a distinguished company known for its commitment to innovation, precision, and creative expression.

M13 Graphics, a leading online printer, has chosen a Landa Digital Printing Nanographic Printing Press to take on production of the company’s large portfolio of print products, M13 and Landa announced. M13 serves as an online printer for tens of thousands of customers nationwide and has printed several billion impressions since its opening in 2002. Moving jobs to the Landa will allow M13 to offer higher commercial-level quality, options including unlimited paper choices and inline coating, and expanded applications such as EPID and variable. The new capabilities will strengthen M13’s existing, competitive advantages in quality, cost and turnaround times.

Ennis, Inc. is pleased to announce its acquisition of Printing Technologies, Inc. (PTI) located in Indianapolis, IN. “PTI is a renowned brand with a diverse range of unique products and we are looking forward to leveraging these new capabilities to enhance Ennis’ product offerings,” said Keith Walters, Chairman, President & CEO of Ennis, Inc. “I want to extend a warm welcome to PTI’s employees and customers as they join the Ennis family.”

We are thrilled to announce that Schumann Printers received three awards at the 2024 Graphics Excellence Awards (GEA) hosted by the Great Lakes Graphics Association (GLGA). The GEA is one of the largest regional printing competitions in the nation, drawing entries from many leading printing companies. Schumann Printers proudly received three awards: 2 Best of Category Awards - Directories and Sourcebooks & Web Press Printing Coated Paper (4 or more colors) & 1 Best of Division Awards - Architectural/Art/Travel/Other Magazines

Quantum Group and Landa Digital Printing have announced that installation of the first Landa S11P Nanographic Printing Press in the US, at Quantum’s Chicago, plant, is now complete. The Landa S11P is Quantum’s second Landa press and one of two new B1 digital press models announced by Landa at a pre-drupa press briefing in March. The Landa S11 and S11P models offer 11,200 sph continuous print speed; Landa’s PrintAI for high fidelity, precision print quality; and additional modules that can be utilized for custom configurations. “We’ve purchased our second Landa press because the experience with the first has been so positive,” says Quantum Group CEO, Cheryl Kahanec. “The Landa press platform, overall, is opening a world of opportunity for us. From 41-inch sheet size and high speed to color range and substrate compatibility; Landa presses consistently – and sustainably – produce high end and variable content for so many different applications.” The additional capacity provided by the Landa S11P will help support growth that Quantum credits to the S10P’s positive impact on plant-wide production and new business. In addition, Kahanec believes that the company will now beat its timeline estimates for at least two new application initiatives.

Flint Group, a leading global producer of inks and coatings for the printing and packaging industries, has marked another key milestone in its sustainability journey by achieving overall B grades in Climate and Water disclosure through CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), with several A and A- grade performances in core individual areas. The achievement underlines Flint Group’s commitment to environmental transparency and sustainable practices. CDP is a non-profit organisation that grades businesses on their level of transparency in sustainability reporting using scoring from “D-“ through “A”. CDP describes a “B” score as indicative of environmental management – these companies have addressed the environmental impacts of the business. Organisations with “A” scoring exhibit leadership and demonstrate best practice in strategy and action. Under the CDP Climate disclosure criteria, Flint Group achieved an A grade in Scope 1 & 2 emissions and an A- grade in Scope 3 emissions. Under the CDP Water disclosure criteria, the business scored an A grade in Business Impacts and an A- grade in Water Policy.

The Great Lakes Graphics Association (GLGA) has revealed the second group of top winners of their 2024 Graphics Excellence Awards (GEAs). The announcement was made at their Wisconsin Awards Celebration held on June 12, 2024, at the Wisconsin Club in Milwaukee, WI. Best of Show, the competition’s highest honor, was awarded to Fey Printing of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, for their entry in the Promotional Campaigns – Consumer category entitled Rivage Bal Harbour. One judge noted, “This collection of marketing materials enclosed in an elegant wrapper functions as a fantasy fulfilled.”

Change continues to rock the book manufacturing business. Contracts for book printing and bindery services have declined as publishers pull back on new orders and work off the excess inventory that built up in response to demand during the Covid years. Print-on-demand book technologies are placing further downward pressure on traditional book manufacturing. Although there is widespread confidence that the printed book will survive the digital onslaught better than many other forms of print, there are shifts and cracks in the book printing world. Consolidators are buying companies with long histories and respected pedigrees that have served and continue to sell to the trade and educational publishers. At the same time, others are closing down huge manufacturing facilities as overall volumes decline in certain segments. On-demand digital ordering, prepress, and printing technologies, driven primarily by the plethora of installed highly productive continuous form inkjet printing devices, has reduced the need for publishers to order long runs and keep large inventories.

Highlights *Revenues of $683.2 million for the quarter ended April 28, 2024; operating earnings of $33.2 million; and net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation of $15.9 million ($0.18 per share). *Continued to roll-out raddar™. *Closed the Tomah, Wisconsin, plant on February 2, 2024 and the Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, plant on April 20, 2024 with a transfer of operations to other plants in the network, and ended the Publisac distribution activities in Québec.

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. reported that at drupa 2024, running through 7 June at Messe Düsseldorf, it is highlighting its expertise in proven single-pass printing solutions for printing excellence in the packaging, display graphics, and textile markets. Visitors to EFI’s stand will see some of the companies latest single-pass innovations live, including the breakthrough Packsize® EFI™ X5® Nozomi, the world's first full-colour, on-demand, right-sized box system that prints, cuts, creases, glues, and erects customised boxes at the rate of up to one box every 6 seconds, and the EFI Nozomi 14000 SD singlepass printer for sign and display. The company is also showcasing a vast array of applications produced on the brand-new Nozomi 14000 AQ true water-based, singlepass printer for corrugated packaging and displays and the Nozomi 12000 MP single-pass technology for direct-to-metal package printing, as well as the nextgeneration EFI Reggiani BOLT XS single-pass textile printer.

HP and RR Donnelley & Sons Company (RRD) announced a strategic collaboration to expand its production capacity with the commitment to install in excess of fifteen new HP Indigo and PageWide Presses. These presses will join RRD’s existing fleet across facilities in North America, China, and Central America. HP and RRD have been working together for the past thirty years, and this new expansion of RRD’s existing fleet will drive efficiency and time-savings throughout the entire production cycle. This expansion will enhance productivity and flexibility to support their clients’ diverse needs in the Packaging, Commercial, Direct Mail, and Statement businesses. John Pecaric Chief Operating Officer at RRD: “We are committed to delivering the highest quality brand experiences for our clients’ customers through multiple touchpoints in the physical and digital customer journey. We have a strategic relationship with HP that provides us with early access to innovative technology that continues to make print a valuable medium.”

Sabine Geldermann, Director drupa, Portfolio Print Technologies, comments on this partnership, “PRINTING United Expo’s one-roof approach aligns very strongly with what drupa has brought to the industry over the last seven decades. Showcasing the many applications printing technology has these days, not only in the graphic arts field but in packaging, industrial and textile is what our attendees appreciate.” Ford Bowers, CEO, PRINTING United Alliance, speaking to the outcomes of this agreement, “Our partnership with drupa underscores our commitment to advancing the entirety of the printing industry. Together, we will be able to deliver even more opportunities for growth and collaboration to all who participate in the marketplace of events. We look forward in the coming months to sharing our conversations on how this partnership will unfold and the benefits to all our partners.”

“Our return to drupa brings some of the most transformative announcements in EFI history,” said Frank Pennisi, CEO of EFI. “We’re excited to use this opportunity to launch groundbreaking innovations, like the world’s first full-colour, on-demand rightsized box system, and true water-based single-pass inkjet technology for corrugated printing. The solutions on our stand present game-changing opportunities that visitors can implement today and plan for tomorrow to future-proof their businesses in a highly competitive and rapidly changing marketplace.” Revolutionary innovations and announcements EFI is unveiling two new solutions at drupa, as well as announcing disruptive developments for existing solutions. Featured live at EFI’s stand is the must-see Packsize® EFI™ X5® Nozomi, the world's first full-colour, on-demand, right-sized box system. It prints, cuts, creases, glues, and erects customized boxes at rates as fast as one box every six seconds with high-resolution graphics, all in a single, streamlined solution – a truly astonishing new offering for the corrugated packaging industry.

The Great Lakes Graphics Association (GLGA) is proud to announce the recipients of its fourth annual Women in Print Excellence Award. The Women in Print Excellence Awards supports GLGA’s ongoing quest to recognize the contributions of women in the Midwest print, graphic arts, finishing and print packaging community as well as those women who support the print industry in a vendor or supplier capacity. Any woman working directly in print or in a vendor role supporting print who was in good standing with her company in Illinois, Indiana or Wisconsin was eligible to be nominated. The nominations were reviewed by a panel of female print professionals outside of the Midwest, who selected one recipient per state.

Packsize®, the market leader in sustainable, right-sized, on-demand packaging, and EFI™, a global technology company leading the worldwide transformation from analog to digital imaging, today announced their collaboration on the world’s first on-demand box system that integrates full-color printing on boxes using a single automated solution. The X5 Nozomi system combines Packsize’s X5® fully-automated, Right-sized Packaging on Demand® system, part of the Packsize X Series, with EFI’s industry-leading Nozomi single-pass digital inkjet printer line for corrugated. “The partnership with EFI and the innovation of the X5 Nozomi is a testament to our team’s commitment to reimagining what is possible and empowering brands to truly customize their customers’ unboxing experience,” said David Lockwood, CEO of Packsize. “No other machine can go from blank corrugated to printed, right-sized, on-demand erected boxes in one solution – and in as little as six seconds per box.”

Specialty Print Communications (SPC), a direct marketer offering a full spectrum of solutions for national brands, will become the first company to have the Canon ProStream 3160 installed in the United States. This milestone was announced by Canon Solutions America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc. The ProStream 3160, the new flagship model of the ProStream 3000 series, can help bring quality and productivity to inkjet printing for commercial markets, direct mail, and publishing, among others. The ProStream 3160 is designed for ultra-fast production, to allow print businesses to move high volumes of work from offset and legacy technologies. This roll-fed 4/4 inkjet press can print up to 525 feet per minute (160 meters per minute). Its new polymer pigment ink set helps ensure consistent offset print quality at rated speed while extending the media grammage/speed range.

Mittera announced the acquisition of select business assets of Rogers Printing Inc., a family-operated commercial printing business and one of the oldest companies in the state of Michigan. Rogers Printing is a leader in sheetfed and web printing with customers across the United States. With a storied history of innovation and dedication to service, Rogers Printing has played a pivotal role in the printing industry for over a century. Under the stewardship of the Rogers family, spanning four generations, the company has continually adapted to technological advancements while maintaining a steadfast commitment to service. “Our foundational commitment to the long-term needs of our trusted client partners will be reinforced, ensuring their continued growth while benefiting from expanded capabilities and a larger network of resources with Mittera’s platform,” said Tom Rogers, President and CEO of Rogers Printing.

The final chapter has been written for Offset Paperback Manufacturers (OPM), based in Dallas, Pa., with the end of May closure of what, in its heyday, was reportedly the largest paperback book manufacturing plant in the world — employing nearly 1,000 unionized workers, within a 24/7 operation, and capable of producing more than 250 million books per year. Founded in 1972, several generations of local families were employed at the OPM Back Mountain facility, but the employee head counts had dwindled over the years with various rounds of cutbacks and retirements. CapEx investments were also not being made at OPM to replace what was an aging fleet of offset presses and ancillary equipment, which impacted OPM's efficiency and operating cost structure.

The UK’s printing and printed packaging industry has performed positively in terms of output and order growth in Q1, though lacking any dramatic improvements. However, the confidence outlook has undoubtedly taken a step up for Q2 – and orders and output are expected to grow more strongly. The BPIF has published its latest Printing Outlook report, the Q2 2024 edition shows that output and orders growth didn’t quite match the expectations for Q1, but we have now had two consecutive quarters of growth, which is more than we have had since 2022. Printing industry activity is expected to experience a stronger pick-up in Q2.

Sun Chemical was recognized during the 2024 Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) Excellence in Flexography Award Competition for its SunUno Solimax AP, a multi-purpose ink series which enhances packaging sustainability. “Sun Chemical is fully committed to the development of sustainable printing solutions and SunUno Solimax AP is an example of one of our unique offerings that promotes the environmental objectives of packaging printers and their brand owner customers,” said Nikola Juhasz, Ph.D., Global Technical Director of Sustainability, Sun Chemical. “This FTA award is a deeply appreciated recognition of the work we are doing to improve sustainability across all aspects of our business and further inspires us on our journey towards developing the next innovation.” A highly versatile ink series, SunUno Solimax AP provides a single platform that can cover multiple end-use applications and is TÜV Austria-certified as “OK Compost” for compostable packaging. The multipurpose solvent-based inks are designed for printing on a wide range of plastic films intended for both external surface/reverse printing and lamination with adhesives.

Sustainability initiatives run across departments throughout Quad, integrating seamlessly to fuel its production solutions. In 2022, 79% of the paper purchased by Quad was third-party certified by organizations like FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council), SFI® (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) and the PEFC™ (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification). To limit the environmental impact of its manufacturing processes, Quad recycles more than 98% of solid waste across its U.S facilities. Quad is continually looking for new ways to create sustainable impact. In April, the company made a five-year commitment to participate in We Energies’ Renewable Pathway Program, which will provide enough renewable energy to offset the power used at its Franklin, Wisc., plant—where more than 50% of the company’s U.S. packaging manufacturing takes place.

First Quarter Financial Highlights and Recent Events • Total revenue of $73.3 million, down from $88.4 million in the first quarter of 2023, but up sequentially from $72.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. • Envelope segment revenue of $53.4 million, versus $64.5 million a year ago and $50.6 million three months ago. • Packaging and Specialty Products segment revenue of $19.8 million, versus $24.0 million last year and $21.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. • Net earnings of $3.5 million, or $0.14 per share, versus $9.5 million, or $0.37 per share, in the first quarter of 2023, and $0.7 million, or $0.03 per share in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Modern Litho, a leading Midwest-based commercial and publication printer, today announced that Darrell Moore will be retiring as Chief Executive Officer, effective May 1, 2024. Moore has been with Modern Litho for 30 years, serving as CEO for the past 20 years. Under his leadership, Modern Litho has expanded its capabilities in digital printing, wide format printing, direct mail services and more to meet evolving customer needs. “It has been an immense honor to lead Modern Litho over the past two decades,” said Moore. “I am incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished in solidifying Modern Litho as a premier printing service provider not only in Missouri but across the country.” As President of Modern Litho-Print Co. and leader of the holding company Modern Litho, Inc., Moore has overseen a multi-decade period of growth and technological advancement for the organization. Through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, the company has grown to be recognized as one of the leading sheet-fed printing companies in the United States.

Quad/Graphics, Inc. is introducing ​​Betty, a new creative agency named after the late Betty Quadracci, fearless trailblazer and co-founder of Quad. The new offering will integrate all of Quad’s creative business lines to uniquely combine its boutique tactics, unmatched 24/7 global production power and commitment to delivering smart, scalable ideas, powered by an in-house network of talented strategists, creatives, content makers, and production and post-production experts.​ Betty’s robust solutions include: *Brand Strategy and Design: *Campaign Ideation: *Premedia, Retail and Adaptive Design: *Content Creation. All former Quad Creative, Periscope and Content Studios leadership and staff are ​​moving to Betty, including Cari Bucci-Hulings​,​ who has assumed the role of President, and Mike Caguin, its Chief Creative Officer. Favorite Child will retain its name as Quad’s brand design practice while remaining part of the larger Betty agency.​

GV Group, one of the leading sustainable and technologically advanced book printing companies in Europe and the USA, is expanding its presence in North America. The group has signed and agreement to acquire a majority stake in P.A. Hutchison (PAH), a historic company founded 113 years ago by Philip Alvord Hutchison - the current president's great-grandfather. PAH is based in Pennsylvania, USA, specialized in the production of textbooks and educational materials. With this new acquisition, GV Group is taking another step in its international development journey. This journey began in 2021 with the acquisition of Lake Book Manufacturing, based in Melrose Park, Illinois, which also initiated growth in the American educational publishing market. For GV Group, the US educational market is strategic: the new acquisition will further expand the range of services and products offered to current and prospective customers.

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company celebrates its 160th anniversary this year, commemorating a legacy of innovation and excellence. “It is an honor to celebrate RRD’s 160th anniversary and to reflect on our rich history while recognizing who RRD is and what we stand for today,” said Tom Quinlan, President and Chief Executive Officer at RRD. “Our tagline for the celebration is 'Innovation & Excellence Since 1864.' Innovation is the change — it’s what has kept RRD growing and evolving for well over a century. And, excellence is the constant — it’s what is woven through the fibers of our organization and the way our people approach everything we do.”

• Realized Net Sales of $655 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $767 million in 2023, and recognized a Net Loss of $28 million or $0.60 Diluted Loss Per Share for the first quarter of 2024. • Achieved Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA of $51 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $60 million in the first quarter of 2023, and reported $0.10 Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share for the first quarter of 2024. • Completed restructuring actions that are expected to generate $60 million of cost savings in 2024. • Announced In-Store Connect, a new retail solution that aims to advance the in-store shopping experience by creating digital interactions throughout physical retail environments. • Launched Household FusionTM, a first-of-its-kind postal optimization program created to offset continued U.S. Postal Service rate hikes and further differentiate Quad as a market innovator. • Introduced the next evolution of the Company’s media agency, Rise, which brings together its full range of media and owned data services under one brand.

Sheridan, a leading provider of printing solutions for the publishing industry, is proud to announce the installation of the DIGI-B Digital Edge-Colouring T3-OPX machine at its Sheridan Worzalla facility. This cutting-edge digital finishing system represents a significant advancement in meeting the growing demand for edge printing capabilities, particularly in the trade market. The DIGI-B Digital Edge-Colouring T3-OPX machine is equipped to handle the intricate requirements of edge printing, delivering stunning results that captivate readers and enhance the visual appeal of printed materials. With the ability to print 4-color in a single pass, this finishing system offers unparalleled efficiency and versatility, allowing Sheridan to meet the diverse needs of its publishing clients with precision and speed.

Sun Chemical announces its ongoing collaboration with packaging solutions company, Cardbox Packaging. Sun Chemical is supplying Cardbox with SunPak® FSP EcoPace sheetfed, low migration inks for high productivity, high speed folding carton printing and for its SunHub compact ink dispenser at their Austria site. In 2023, Cardbox became the first printer worldwide to install the Heidelberg XL106 packaging printing machine that runs at 21,000 sheets per hour, and it is on this machine they now employ the inks. The ongoing collaboration enables Cardbox to validate new products with Sun Chemical before they go to market, while Cardbox may be amongst the first folding carton packaging converters in the world to showcase and produce solutions for high productivity and sustainable packaging printing powered by the new technologies. Meeting the challenges to further increase productivity means trouble-free printing at the highest possible printing speeds, even on the more problematic carton boards. Sun Chemical worked with Cardbox during the development stage of the new ink range to understand the print demands of high quality, high productivity, high speed printing, as well as to verify the effectiveness of the products across different substrates and job design formats before they went to market.

We are thrilled to announce our remarkable success in the 2024 Graphics Excellence Awards (GEA) competition hosted by The Great Lakes Graphics Association (GLGA). This prestigious recognition highlights our unwavering dedication to excellence and innovation in the printing industry. We’re proud to share that we’ve received not just one but two prestigious awards in this year's competition. Our team is pleased to receive a Best of Division Award for Texas Parks & Wildlife’s Special Anniversary Issue and an Award of Excellence for Destination Madison’s Visitor Guide, reaffirming our commitment to delivering top-notch quality and service to our clients. The judging process, which took place from March 13-15, 2024, was conducted by a panel of independent judges carefully selected for their extensive expertise in printing, packaging, and print production. The GEA competition stands as one of the largest regional printing competitions in the nation, making this achievement all the more meaningful.

Despite the popularity of digital platforms, print is still alive and well – and it’s ripe for innovation. Nowhere is that more evident than with production inkjet printing. Offset printing continues to occupy the largest segment in the printing technology space, but production inkjet printing is growing in popularity among book printers, direct mail providers and marketers looking for cost-effective ways to create customized content and/or respond dynamically to consumer demand. “Print buyers are interested in smaller print runs with hundreds or thousands of pieces instead of tens of thousands or more. And they want variable data and customization capabilities so they can run more targeted campaigns and niche promotions,” says Meredith Collins, channel marketing manager for Domtar Paper. “Advancements in production inkjet printing mean you can now do all of that with greater flexibility.”

We're thrilled to announce our latest investment in the ECS Eagle and ECS Ospray inkjet devices. These two devices recently landed at our facility, and will be up and running soon. They are poised to help transform print production in our bindery with mailing applications. They will set new standards for efficiency, quality, and versatility. Read below more about what makes these inkjet devices exceptional. ECS Ospray Inkjet Print Head Features: *Enhanced Speed: *Optimized Design: *Cost-Effective Printing: *User-Friendly Features: *Versatile Applications. ECS Eagle Inkjet Print Head Features: *Unmatched Speed: *Superior Quality: *Seamless Printing: *Cost-Effective Imaging: *Unrivaled Versatility:

Lane Press, a leading magazine printing company based in Vermont, announced that it is increasing its finishing throughput with the installation of a new Osako saddle stitch binding system. Installation of the Osako Tener Alpha Saddle Stitcher is currently underway, and the unit is expected to be fully operational by mid-April. The state-of-the-art binder is rated to produce 12,500 books per hour and includes automation capabilities that reduce setup and make-ready times. With these combined attributes, Lane Press expects the Osako to substantially increase its bindery production capacity. This will be Lane’s fourth high-speed saddle stitch binder, complimenting two perfect binding lines.

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company announced it is expanding its labels production capacity with the installation of four new presses in ISO 9001:2015 certified facilities across the U.S. The presses will deliver faster total throughput, enhancing efficiency and flexibility to support clients’ diversified needs. All presses are expected to be fully operational by midyear 2024. *Two ETI flexo presses will be outfitted to vertically integrate face and liners paper to create pressure sensitive label stock. *One Mark Andy P9 flexo press will produce variable image labels. *One Mark Andy digital hybrid press will be installed to allow RRD to serve clients in a more rapid environment to address their ever-changing needs. This expansion comes amid a booming eCommerce market which, according to Statista, eCommerce revenue is expected to grow by 51% in the U.S. between 2024 and 2029, with expectations to surpass one trillion U.S. dollars. With this sustained growth comes increased demand for variable imaged labels, enabling RRD to provide end-to-end solutions to a range of clients of many sizes and locations.

Postal Center International (PCI) is proud to announce a significant expansion of its mail presort operations to Indianapolis to serve the Midwest mailing community, highlighting its dedication to growth and the provision of superior mail solutions to America's Heartland. Celebrating its 40th year in business, PCI's strategic move into Indianapolis marks a pivotal step in its ongoing national expansion plan, aimed at providing white-glove service to clients in the region while fostering local employment opportunities. The new facility, expected to be fully operational in the third quarter of 2024, is a reflection of PCI’s robust growth trajectory and perfectly aligns with the company’s vision of bringing its comprehensive suite of solutions closer to clients. This expansion comes on the heels of PCI’s successful opening of a presort mail facility in New England in January 2023, which increased the company’s workforce to over 550 associates. The Midwest expansion is poised to further bolster PCI’s operational capabilities and workforce, reinforcing its position as a pivotal player in the region’s balanced economic landscape, known for its mix of heavy printing, mailing along with automotive and agriculture.

At a pre-drupa press event recently, held just before Dcsoop in Indianapolis, Indiana, HP revealed a number of innovations that will make their debut in Düsseldorf later this year. Of particular interest are the updates and refreshes to the Indigo and PageWide press lines. Anat Ruhrberg, the head of Commercial Product & Solutions for HP Indigo, noted that while analog printed pages are beginning to see a decline in terms of overall volume, digital pages are seeing a sharp increase, making it increasingly clear that no shop that wants to continue to be relevant and competitive in the years to come can afford to ignore the technology any more. Investments in digital presses are going to be key to capturing and retaining business. That shift is playing out with the Indigo line, she noted, with data showing that consistently, as much as 50% of the pages being printed on the Indigo 100k are new volume. That said, 95% of all printed pages are still printed on analog presses, which means the opportunity for growth is massive.

Cost pressure, the skills shortage, and sustainability – print shops worldwide need to contend with all these issues and yet remain competitive. Throughout the printing industry, the costs per printed sheet are a measure of how competitive a print shop is. Boasting numerous innovative features, the new machine generation from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) cuts costs, helps alleviate the skills shortage, and improves print shops’ sustainability. “The new Peak Performance Speedmaster XL 106 cuts print production costs significantly, which makes our customers in the commercial, packaging, and label printing sectors more competitive,” says Dr. Ludwin Monz, CEO of HEIDELBERG. “Compared to the previous generation, we expect users who produce packaging in the 70 x 100 cm format to achieve an increase in overall productivity of up to 20 percent.”

The new Household Fusion™ mail-packaging solution was created to offset continued U.S. Postal Service rate hikes by combining into one recyclable polybag various catalogs or marketing mail from different brands or various magazines from different publishers that are destined for a single household. The solution, which exemplifies the company’s commitment to relentless innovation, is powered by proprietary software created by Quad. Household Fusion mail optimization also includes separately printed direct mail pieces as well as onserts that can be placed on top for maximum visibility. “Quad has always helped brands make more direct consumer connections, and that has made us a leading expert in mailing to households across the country. We also have innovation in our DNA. Our Household Fusion offering combines these powerful dimensions of Quad’s expertise and underscores them with our unmatched technology, production and delivery capabilities,” said Don McKenna, Chief Administrative Officer for Quad. “This new mail optimization service is the latest example of Quad’s robust capability for bringing brands closer to their target audiences – efficiently and effectively.”

Breaking new ground, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced a new web-fed inkjet press for commercial and business communications print service providers with the ProStream 3160, the new flagship model of the ProStream 3000 series, that can help bring quality and productivity to inkjet printing for commercial markets, direct mail, and publishing, among others. The ProStream 3160 is an ultra-fast roll-fed 4/4 inkjet press that can deliver up to 525 feet per minute (160 meters per minute). With the new ink set, the ProStream 3160 boasts 100% productivity increase when printing on 12 pt media and up to a 66% productivity increase on 9 pt media compared to previous ProStream models. This press is market changing and shows Canon’s commitment to the evolution of this ProStream 3000 platform.

Two new models – the ColorStream 8200 and 8110 – will look to build on the success of the ColorStream 8000 series of high-speed, web-fed inkjet presses, it was announced today by Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions. The ColorStream has proven to be an attractive investment for high-volume print production environments since its original launch in 2011, with more than 1,800 towers installed worldwide. The latest additions to the series now includes the ColorStream 8200, offering a maximum speed of up to 656 feet per minute, making it one of the most productive model in the series. The ColorStream 8110, which offers up to 361 feet per minute, is an additional option for print service providers (PSPs) wanting to invest in a new ColorStream press while maintaining existing finishing equipment.

Ricoh USA, Inc. announced that Kingery Printing Company, a Midwest family-owned and operated printing and mailing solutions company, installed the first RICOH Pro VC80000 continuous feed inkjet book printer in North America. The RICOH Pro VC80000 launched in November 2023 on the heels of the RICOH Pro Z75 cut-sheet inkjet press and is the newest addition to Ricoh's inkjet portfolio. Leveraging AI, the press enables commercial, book, and direct mail printers to experience a new standard for inkjet quality, productivity, and media flexibility to expand their competitive edge and profitability. Kingery Printing Company, founded in 1968, has grown to 200 team members with facilities located in Effingham and Mattoon, Illinois. Kingery serves publishers throughout the country in the book, catalog, and magazine market segments.

The annual Dscoop Conference is a unique gathering of marketers, printers, industry experts and suppliers from around the country. “I have had the fortune to be at every DSCOOP event since its inception in Sanibel, FL in 2006” said Mike Ratcliff, Midland’s President – Specialty Paper and Film Division. “The timing of this event before DRUPA 2024 is special given HP’s commitment to give the U.S. market a peak of what will be on display in May at DRUPA”. Midland Paper, located at Booth #2090, will have key representatives of their Specialty Paper and Film Team on hand to showcase the latest digital products in their portfolio including: • Coated, Uncoated and Specialty Papers • Pressure Sensitive Films • Synthetic Papers • Grand Format • Wide Format • High Speed Inkjet. Stop by Booth #2090 and pick up your set of Eclipse 2024 solar eclipse viewing glasses.

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. is further advancing its customer-focused commitment to delivering innovation that creates more opportunities for sign and display graphics producers to be more competitive and grow profitably with the introduction of the EFI™ VUTEk® Q3h XP printer – a true high-speed hybrid flatbed/roll-fed LED printer, offering superior-quality imaging along with flexible and versatile production-level throughput – and the next generation 3.2-metre EFI Pro 33r roll-to-roll LED printer. In addition to the new printer introductions, EFI is showcasing its leading digital inkjet technologies for the sign and display, packaging, and textile markets at the 2024 FESPA Global Expo, 19-22 March, in Hall 1, Stand D70. "Our leading-edge technology at FESPA Global gives customers unmatched capabilities and opportunities to achieve profitable growth in digital inkjet production printing,” said EFI VP of Worldwide Marketing Ken Hanulec.

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire digital and print marketing businesses from Vericast Corp (“Vericast”). The Vericast Digital Marketing & Technology business includes a sophisticated set of digital marketing solutions that includes: display advertising, contextual targeting, connected TV, dynamic mobile, digital out of home, social media marketing, email marketing, local search, and zero-party data capture. The transaction also includes Vericast’s print marketing business, including shared mail and free-standing inserts, as well as digital and print coupon clearing business.

Electronics For Imaging, Inc., today reported it has completed a life cycle assessment (LCA) of Nozomi single-pass digital print technology in partnership with award-winning sustainability consulting firm Clean Agency. Through this initiative, Clean Agency also developed an LCA tool that EFI™ customers and their customers – such as brands, retailers, and 3PLs – can use to analyze their CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions as part of their overall packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR): the environmental impact of their products, even after their useful life has ended. According to the LCA, printing corrugated materials on an EFI Nozomi digital press reduces global warming potential (GWP) by approximately 50% when compared to analog printing technologies. “No printing plates, less energy, less waste, and just-intime (JIT) manufacturing all contribute to CO2e reductions for corrugated printing on EFI’s Nozomi digital press,” says Seri McClendon, CEO of Clean Agency.

Highlights *Growth in adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization(1) of 14.3% for the quarter, including an increase of 29.6% in the Packaging Sector. *Revenues of $680.4 million for the quarter ended January 28, 2024; operating earnings of $27.8 million; and net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation of $13.9 million ($0.16 per share). "We had a solid first quarter despite persistently challenging market conditions," said Thomas Morin, President and Chief Executive Officer of TC Transcontinental. "This performance is largely attributable to cost reductions in line with our priorities and the profitability and financial position improvement program announced in December.

Contiweb, a specialist manufacturer of web-handling equipment and provider of integrated technical solutions for web offset printing, web inkjet printing and packaging production, is pleased to announce the successful installation of a CDN non-stop unwinder and Digital Fluid Applicator (DFA) remoistener at Lakeside Book Company's Harrisonburg facility in Virginia. The new equipment will be featured in a production line alongside an HP T490 PageWide press installed in June. The installation of the CDN non-stop unwinder and DFA remoistener marks a significant milestone in Lakeside Book Company's commitment to investing in superior printing solutions for its customers. Lakeside Book Company is the largest book printing, binding, and distribution company in North America and adding this state-of-the-art equipment to its inventory further enhances operational efficiency, while ensuring continuous production, and consistently high-quality output.

SCREEN Americas announces the installation of the Truepress JET 520NX to MCT, also known as Marketing Card Technology, LLC. The installation follows MCT’s investment in the Truepress JET 520HD+, which was installed in March 2020. MCT is a two-fold operation with two facilities in Illinois—one in Darien and one in Downers Grove. The company manufactures credit cards and personalized mockup cards in its Darien facility and runs a full-service direct mail marketing operation in its Downers Grove location. With a capacity to print, insert and mail 1.5 million pieces per day, MCT struck a strategic balance in its workload when it opted to complement its Truepress JET 520HD+ with a full-color Truepress JET 520NX. The company uses the HD+ for customers seeking high-end promotional items requiring coated paper and reserves the NX for jobs that can be produced on uncoated paper.

Viridiam, a full-service print provider in Green Bay, WI, recently purchased a new Versafire LV from HEIDELBERG. The new five-color Versafire further expands the company’s digital print opportunities by offering customers spot colors and extended gamut printing. The new engine will also aid Viridiam in growing its digital print business that began five years ago with the installation of its first Versafire. A proud woman-owned business, Viridiam began in 2015 with the merger of two companies: HC Miller and Van Lanen. Both businesses were fixtures in the Green Bay community with roots dating back to 1887. Today, Viridiam serves a nationwide client base and prides itself on developing comprehensive solutions while focusing on a “speed to market” business model. The G7 certified company boasts four divisions “all under one roof”: commercial print, wide format, folding carton, and organizational products (medical charts, dividers, etc.). “By keeping everything in house, we can really economize a print buyer’s spend,” said President Nick Mares. “Additionally, we can save our customers a considerable amount of time by not having to deal with a variety of printers.”

Sun Chemical has launched Xennia Jade, a pigment ink that meets the escalating demands of the direct-to-film (DTF) market. The solution has been specifically designed to address key challenges faced by DTF users within this market, providing a high-quality, stable, and reliable ink set for seamless daily, weekly, and monthly production. Xennia Jade will be showcased at FESPA in the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre in Netherlands, from March 19-22, 2024, allowing industry professionals to experience first-hand the features that make it an ideal choice for the evolving needs of the DTF market. The DTF market has experienced unprecedented growth over the past two years, underscoring the need for innovative solutions to address the evolving demands of the industry. Existing industry solutions present some challenges with reliability and performance. Recognising the importance of consistent performance, Sun Chemical has dedicated considerable time and resources to develop a comprehensive solution tailored to meet the specific needs of the market.

ENPOINTE has achieved a significant milestone with the expansion of its production and fulfillment capabilities in Brooklyn Park, MN. The company proudly announces the addition of a second production facility adjacent to its existing location, as well as a state-of-the-art Fulfillment Center nearby. “This new facility marks a pivotal moment for ENPOINTE,” stated Todd Matuska, CEO and President. “It not only streamlines our operations and enhances efficiency but also underscores our commitment to sustainability through improved green initiatives. These advancements align with our dedication to delivering exceptional value to our clients and future partners.” Dubbed the “Year of the Move,” ENPOINTE’s initiative includes the installation of a six-color Mitsubishi full web press at the new production facility with speed efficiencies, enhanced color controls and a wide range of folding capabilities. All ENPOINTE production is now operating out of one campus with two buildings connected by a skyway.

The Meliora Group is a group of print companies whose heritage spans over 60 years of print, and consists of Delga – printed carton board packaging and labels experts, Scarbutts Printers – a commercial printer offering a complete solution for commercial design and print, and CSP – the leading supplier of print to the NHS, as well as the public sector, private healthcare and education sectors. “We’re delighted to become members of Two Sides as The Meliora Group of print companies. Two Sides plays an important role in helping us to communicate to our audience about the sustainable aspects of print and paper-based packaging and we wanted to support the work that you do in helping us achieve this by becoming members. Campaigns like Love Paper that raise awareness and bust the myths about the sustainability of the print industry are instrumental in creating a positive future for us and we’re pleased to play our part in supporting that.” says Clair Melville-Brown, Marketing & Communications Officer for Delga, part of The Meliora Group.

Flint Group has announced the release of a comprehensive whitepaper to outline the role of inks and coatings in supporting safe food packaging. Delving into the critical importance of food packaging safety and testing, the whitepaper explores the challenges posed by food contact materials (FCM) and the crucial role that high-quality inks and coatings play in minimising risk. Anna Niewiadomska, Marketing Manager Narrow Web at Flint Group, comments: “As established market experts, we have one of the most knowledgeable teams in the ink industry. With the launch of our new whitepaper, we aim to provide enhanced clarity on the intricate process to safely print food packaging and labels. We explain the purpose and significance of these processes, discuss how safety is measured, and highlight how modern technology effectively addresses food packaging challenges.”

It’s been hard to avoid the conversation around postal rates in the commercial and direct mail printing industry during the past few years. As Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has made aggressive moves to bring the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) into profitability after the requirement to pre-pay the organization’s pension fund was finally relaxed, printers have borne the brunt of those rising prices. Print buyers have started pushing back when it comes to higher mailing costs, especially as the costs of everything from the inks, to the paper, to the labor running the presses have also been on the rise. But what does the actual landscape look like for print providers on the postal rate front? And how are they managing the increases? Unfortunately, the bulk of those increases seems to have come rapidly during the past couple of years, leaving commercial/direct mail printers and print buyers alike scrambling to compensate for costs that are significantly higher. A few cents per piece spread out across thousands — if not hundreds of thousands — of pieces adds up fast, after all, and can take a huge chunk out of the direct marketing budget before anyone can blink. And that impact is being felt as buyers pull back on the number of pieces they’re mailing to compensate for those higher costs.

Recent Highlights *Achieved 2023 guidance and reported Net Sales of $3.0 billion in 2023 compared to $3.2 billion in 2022. *Anticipating $60 million of cost savings from recent plant capacity and labor reduction initiatives in response to ongoing external headwinds, including significant postal rate increases and economic uncertainty that negatively impact print volumes. *Recognized a Net Loss of $55 million in 2023 compared to Net Earnings of $9 million in 2022 primarily due to lower sales, higher restructuring expenses and increased interest costs despite decreasing debt. *Reduced Net Debt by $564 million or 55% over the past four years as part of a multi-year debt reduction strategy, achieving Net Debt Leverage of 2.0x at December 31, 2023.

Komori America announced that The Marek Group, a provider of sales effectiveness and marketing execution services, is looking forward to gaining a higher level of productivity and faster speed to market with its investment in the company’s first Komori press, an eight-color Lithrone G40 advance perfector (GL840P advance) with LED-UV. The family-owned company, with headquarters in Waukesha, Wisconsin and three additional locations, offers an array of services that provide clients with a single solution for sales support and marketing campaign execution. The company contributes part of its success to following a deliberate CapEx process that focuses on the investments needed to stay current with a portfolio that includes print, promotions, mail, incentives, kitting, fulfillment and sales enablement technology. Recognizing it was time for its pressroom to be modernized, The Marek Group team began to search for a press that would offer the automation, efficiencies and quick makereadies needed to handle the growing volume of bold, eye-catching print solutions the company produces.

Electronics For Imaging, Inc., announced the EFI™ VUTEk® h3+ and VUTEk h5+ hybrid flatbed/roll-fed LED printer series with enhanced printing and media handling capabilities. The VUTEk h+ series is a re-engineered and refined version of the high-volume, superwide-format hybrid VUTEk h series platform. The enhancements made for the VUTEk h+ series offer improved productivity, print quality, reliability, capability, and profits. “We are excited to bring these new printers to market,” said Todd Zimmerman, SVP/GM Display Graphics & OEM Ink of EFI. “VUTEk printers have been the leader in the hybrid category in signs and display graphics for more than two decades, with more than 300 installations worldwide. The VUTEk h+ series answers some of the key pain points for our customers, all while improving ease of use and offering the LED environmentally friendly benefits you expect from EFI VUTEk technology.”

CJK Group, Inc. announced that it has acquired the assets of LSC Communications Magazine and Catalog business unit, along with the stock of Kodi Collective LLC (formerly known as Continuum Marketing Services LLC). The assets and stock purchase together represent “Kodi Collective.” Kodi Collective is a venerable powerhouse of publishing and creative capabilities. Launched in March 2023 from the former LSC Communications platform, it offers creative production, print production, sourcing, logistics, and managed services. Comprising five offset print facilities and three digital print facilities as well as a dynamic Marketing Execution Services business, Kodi Collective represents a rich spectrum of solutions that not only complement but extend and strengthen the services of CJK Group’s portfolio of companies, propelling CJK Group to the top tier of the U.S. printing industry. Over the following months, Kodi Collective and CJK Group will work together on several transitional service agreements to ensure a seamless experience for customers and stakeholders on all sides.

Thysse, a full-service brand experience provider that offers commercial printing, is excited to announce its recent acquisition of the HP PageWide Advantage 2200. The investment reaffirms Thysse’s steadfast commitment to the core values that have allowed it to grow over the past eight decades; offering exceptional service and project outcomes, efficiently. The company was founded in 1941 by John Thysse, and began as a letterpress printer in Madison, Wisconsin. Since its inception, continuous innovation and embracing new technology have allowed Thysse to meet the evolving needs of its clients. The third-generation owner and CEO, Jason Thysse, is accelerating the company’s growth trajectory by doubling down on investments aimed at elevating capacity, efficiency, and capabilities across the entire portfolio of services. The scope spans culture, structure, training, process, and technology, all aimed at adding tangible customer value.

How well do you communicate the value of direct mail to your customers? For many years now, direct mail has been bashed for being too old school and past its time. The reality is far from that. Direct mail response is on the rise. Consumers enjoy getting direct mail that is applicable to them. When direct mail is targeted correctly it will not be considered “junk mail.” Yes, even millennials and Gen Z like to get mail. Here are a few reasons people like to get mail: *It's delivered to their home through no effort on their part. *It can be fun (get creative and think outside of the box). *It's way to save money (people like a good deal). *It’s informative (people are curious). *It’s easily kept for future reference or use (use a magnet, they can then post on the fridge).

As part of its ongoing commitment to relentless innovation and product development, Quad acquired North Carolina-based DART Innovation, an in-store digital media solutions provider. The strategic investment expands and seamlessly integrates into Quad’s full suite of products and services, enabling brands and marketers to more effectively offer consumers an integrated purchasing journey, whether they are at home, online or in a physical store. Combining digital media with brick-and-mortar locations has been heralded as the next iteration for the online marketplaces that have exploded in recent years[1]. The strategic intersection of physical and digital expands the brand-to-shopper experience beyond e-commerce to innovative on-screen engagement at the store shelf. With DART’s capabilities and technology Quad strengthens its place as a leader in revolutionizing the shopping experience for retailers, consumer packaged goods (CPGs) and consumers.

TC Transcontinental announced that it will gradually reduce operations at its printing plant in Saint-Hyacinthe (Québec), with a complete closure scheduled in April 2024. Its activities will gradually be transferred to other plants of the TC Transcontinental Printing network, mainly to the plant located in the Anjou borough of Montréal. “With the end of Publisac announced on November 3 and its gradual replacement by raddarTM, printed at our Anjou plant, we regretfully had to make the decision to close our Saint-Hyacinthe plant,” said Pierre Deslongchamps, Senior Vice President, Retail, Newspapers, Distribution, Magazines, Books and Catalogues, TC Transcontinental Printing.

Sun Chemical will implement selected freight surcharges impacted by the Red Sea crisis globally. Against the backdrop of geopolitical instabilities, maritime transportation through the Suez Canal and Red Sea has been especially severely impacted since November. With around 30% of the world’s container trade shipped via this route, many shipments are facing delays and some are being rerouted via the Cape of Good Hope, significantly increasing the distance travelled and adding further costs and time. Cargo air freight is also seeing a spike in demand to avoid such longer diversions. As a proactive response to these challenges, Sun Chemical is actively monitoring the evolving situation through its extensive global network of partners. The primary objective remains ensuring the continued supply of high-quality products and services to customers. In light of the dynamic nature of the crisis, Sun Chemical is taking necessary steps to secure raw materials and minimise transportation delays.

*2023 reported revenue decreased 2.0% including impact from divestitures, while comparable adjusted revenue increased $6 million or 0.3%. *Third consecutive year of revenue growth, on a comparable adjusted basis. *Full year GAAP diluted EPS was $0.59 while adjusted diluted EPS was $3.32. *Full year net income was $26.2 million, down from $65.5 million in 2022, on increased interest expense and restructuring activity.

Angela Hipelius, CEO of Liberty Creative Solutions, describes the company with a mix of history and mission. She shares that Liberty is starting its 60th year in business; and is second-generation, family-owned. It specializes in direct mail services, including the use of variable data to help its customers — which come from the education, healthcare, and nonprofit markets — achieve their goals. While the company has not changed its general approach over the past few years, Hipelius says it is focused strongly on “refining some of the systems we use to grow.” This includes working on efficiencies throughout the company’s processes and utilizing customer input in the development of its systems. Most of Liberty’s growth, she indicates, comes from doing more for its main clients, and by “nurturing existing accounts and being a trusted supplier for them.” That approach will continue. Hipelius says while the company has not acquired other businesses as a part of its revenue growth strategy, it has acquired technology. In 2019, it added a Canon ProStream 1000 inkjet web press to its technology mix, which now includes offset, toner-based digital printing, and high-speed production inkjet. Currently, she says the company is looking to install more printing and finishing capacity — something that complements the ProStream.

Agfa and EFI proudly announce that they have entered into a global strategic partnership aimed at leveraging each other’s cutting-edge technologies. The collaboration between two industry leaders marks a significant milestone in the wide-format inkjet printing arena. Within the framework of the partnership, Agfa will integrate EFI’s roll-to-roll system into its offerings, while EFI will incorporate Agfa’s high-end hybrid inkjet printers into its suite of solutions. Both printing platforms have established themselves as frontrunners in their respective fields. Customers and prospects stand to gain unparalleled advantages from this strategic collaboration. Through the mutual strengthening of the Agfa and EFI portfolios, both companies can present the broadest and most innovative product offering available in the market today, as well as a reliable service infrastructure.

SG360°, marketing services provider and among the top three direct mail producers in the U.S., is excited to announce a significant move toward further expansion of their digital print platform to support evolving client, and broader marketplace, demand for more targeted, relevant marketing communications. SG360° is adding wide-web digital capability with full inline finishing to its growing digital print platform, which will deliver speed to market benefits and a broad range of formatting options, with full dynamic content possibilities. This will bring SG360° to have one of the most robust digital print offerings in the industry, with sights on further expansion.

Q4 2023 *Revenue of $1.77 billion, down 9.1 percent year-over-year or down 10.6 percent in constant currency. *GAAP net loss of $(58) million, down $179 million, year-over-year, respectively. This quarter includes an after-tax Restructuring and related costs, net charge of $78 million, related to the recently announced workforce reduction. *Operating cash flow of $389 million, up $203 million year-over-year. FY 2023 *Revenue of $6.89 billion, down 3.1 percent year-over-year, or down 3.3 percent in constant currency. *GAAP net income of $1 million, up $323 million, year-over-year, respectively. 2023 includes a Q4 after-tax Restructuring and related costs, net charge of $78 million, related to the recently announced workforce reduction. 2022 includes an after-tax non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $395 million. *Operating cash flow of $686 million, up $527 million year-over-year.

Transcontinental Inc. announced that Rémi Marcoux, founder of TC Transcontinental and member of the Board, has not sought re‑election as a director. Mr. Marcoux's term will end on March 13, at the annual shareholders’ meeting. In recognition of his entrepreneurial career and his significant contribution to the vision, growth and development of the Company in keeping with its values, the Board has named Mr. Marcoux “Founder Emeritus”. Rémi Marcoux, founder of TC Transcontinental, said: “I built this great company, which I founded in 1976, with a long-term vision and a desire for continuity, and my wishes have come true. I am a fulfilled and content man as I look to TC Transcontinental’s future, and I thank all our shareholders, customers, suppliers and employees for their unwavering support over the years. At the age of 83, I intend to take it easy a bit, and I have full confidence in my daughter Isabelle, who succeeded me as Chair of the Board in 2012, in Thomas Morin, President and CEO, as well as our talented board members, executives and employees.”

Ulrich Etiketten, a market leader in the Austrian self-branded label market, has made the switch to UV LED curing in its label manufacturing operations with the support of Flint Group's high-performance EkoCure® Dual Cure ink range. Ulrich, founded in 1868, recently invested in a new 60,000m2 production site in Austria, intending to transition label printing presses from traditional mercury UV curing to energy-saving UV LED. Ulrich partnered with Flint Group and its market-leading range of EkoCure Dual Cure inks to support this transition. The ability of the ink range to cure under both traditional UV mercury and UV LED lamps enabled Ulrich to transition in a way best suited for their business.

Landa Digital Printing, manufacturer of Nanographic Printing presses, announced that it will be opening an ink plant to supply its growing North American customer base. The new plant is expected to begin operations in H2, 2024. To be located in the Midwestern U.S., the new plant will manufacture the company’s water-based Landa NanoInk, which is required for the transformative Nanographic Printing process. The plant will join existing Landa ink plants across the globe, thereby increasing worldwide NanoInk manufacturing capacity as well as ensuring supply to North American customers. Additional major benefits will include shorter lead times and reduced environmental impacts caused by shipping materials.

Wallace Graphics, an esteemed commercial printing company boasting over three decades of experience, is delighted to announce its recent acquisition of the HP PageWide Advantage 2200 with HP Brilliant Ink. This strategic investment underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to delivering top-tier quality work, all while prioritizing operational efficiency. In 1987, Wallace Graphics began its journey as a solopreneur print shop located in Atlanta, Georgia. Today, under the second-generation ownership of Jonathan Wallace (President), and Jake Wallace (Vice President), it stands as one of the fastest growing and most dynamic companies in the Southeastern United States, offering comprehensive printing services encompassing digital, offset, and large format solutions.

Electronics For Imaging, Inc., reported that American Image, a producer of signs, display graphics, and award products located in Bergenfield, New Jersey, has acquired an EFI™ Pro 30f wide-format LED flatbed printer. Prior to acquiring the Pro 30f flatbed, the American Image production printing fleet consisted of 11 wide-format printers, including eight small flatbeds. Adding the Pro 30f printer to the mix increased the company’s production capacity by 30%, significantly improving their time to market, important in a competitive environment. “We worked with our distributor, ITNH, who introduced us to EFI and recommended the EFI Pro 30f as a solution to our needs,” said John Paragian, Owner and President of American Image.

SeaChange has recently became the first printer in Minnesota to install a W&D 410 Easy Enveloper, and we’re excited to see its initial project in production. Designing for a major healthcare company, our GATHER Digital Marketing team created an envelope with large areas of ink coverage — a stunning look that’s sure to stand out in the mailbox. The envelope’s interior, which uses a repeating pattern, complements that design while also serving as a security tint. The ability to create high-quality envelopes in house meets our clients’ increasing desire to streamline processes and add additional customization. As we saw with supply chain shortages during the pandemic, purchasing envelopes from outside vendors can lead to delays. With the Easy Enveloper, we hope to eliminate that potential.

When Hatteras celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, President Bill Duerr had reason to look back with pride. From its beginnings in a facility far too small, the Tinton Falls, New Jersey-based commercial printer has expanded into a three-building, 180,000-sq.-ft. operation with some of the latest — and largest — offset, digital, and wide-format presses in the industry. A family-owned company that treats its employees like family too, Hatteras has become a convergence success story, moving from commercial printing into wide-format, packaging, assembly, fulfillment, warehousing, mailing, and more. It serves clients in the pharmaceutical, retail, automotive, cosmetics, fashion, and financial services businesses, among others, providing everything from marketing collateral, signage, and packaging, to variable data direct mail and cross-media marketing campaigns.

When the owners of Brown Printing and Modern Litho-Print Co. merged their businesses under a corporate holding company on January 1, 2000, the decision was made for both companies to continue operating autonomously at their respective facilities and under their existing brand name. Since then, our planned growth has taken us from 60 employees to 385 today, with operations in St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia, and Jefferson City. Modern Litho, Inc. currently ranks as the 92nd largest printing company (based on revenue) in North America, in an industry of over 15,000, and is proud to serve great customers in all 50 states and internationally. And of course, that includes you! Brown Printing’s emphasis has always been on serving the local (Jefferson City, Lake, Columbia) market while supporting the national efforts of Modern Litho, and that remains unchanged. However, with the recent acquisition of Direct Impaqt in Columbia, and their subsequent rebranding to Modern Litho-Columbia, we’re excited to announce that the time has come to rebrand Brown Printing to Modern Litho-Jefferson City.

Direct mail has been on a wild ride the past few years. First, there was the COVID-19 pandemic that seemingly led to every brand and customer pulling back on every conceivable marketing vehicle as we all struggled to figure out what was going on and where we would fit into it. Then as that waned, in 2022 we saw a massive surge in volumes, with brands rushing to get back in front of their customers as consumer spending skyrocketed, leading to record years for many direct mail printers. And then there was 2023, which saw severe inflation leading to a pullback in spending across the board, coupled with aggressive moves by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to raise rates. It’s enough to make you dizzy. But as we peel back some of those trends and what is driving them, we can get a good idea of what to expect for 2024 — and where you should plan to invest your capital expenditure dollars to capture as much growth and new direct mail business as possible.

The book manufacturing market has experienced an unpredictable few years. While it has been far from ideal conditions for forecasting and planning, it hasn’t been all bad; indeed, the lack of experiential options outside of the home during COVID fuelled renewed interest in physical books. And while some pandemic-related hobbies such as bread baking and Zoom quizzing will be less in vogue in 2024, it does seem that the demand for printed books has endured. Publishers Weekly cites NPD BookScan research, claiming that while 2022 unit sales of printed books (788.7 million) fell 6.5% below 2021 figures, they are still up 11.8% when compared with 2019. In other positive news, we are seeing a sunnier supply chain picture. Faced with substantial demand, book printers in recent years — desperate to get their hands on paper and fulfill clients’ orders — were regularly thwarted by supply chain challenges and paper availability issues. “In the short term, I would say the paper availability issue has gone away,” says Steve Zweber, vice president of global print manufacturing, operations, and distribution, at Core Publishing Solutions in Eagan, Minnesota.

Sun Chemical has launched the SunStrato® AquaLam Gen2 ink series, an outstanding water-based solution for printing laminated and retortable flexible packaging. AquaLam Gen2 is the second generation of inks within the established AquaLam range. Offering enhanced quality, printability, and bond strength, the range can help reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and CO2 emissions by 18-20% versus comparable solvent-based inks typically used in similar applications. Results may vary based on factors such as solvent recycling, energy sources and drying efficiency. Impressive results are already being achieved with AquaLam Gen2 by some flexible packaging producers with 7 colour extended colour gamut (ECG) to produce high-quality laminated packaging, combining newly installed press with state-of-the-art printing plates and advanced anilox sets.

Sun Chemical has launched SunLit® ProPace, the latest generation of vegetable oil based sheetfed process printing inks designed specifically for helping printers increase productivity in commercial publication and non-food packaging printing. Featuring excellent stability, fast setting, low misting, and low tack, SunLit ProPace is designed to run on a wide array of substrates including problematic paper and board. It is suitable for both high speed perfecting and straight presses running multiple shift patters, up to twenty-four hours. SunLit ProPace is based on Sun Chemical’s revolutionary new Pace varnish technology platform – the result of extensive research and development into new materials that enable highly versatile and reliable printing inks that deliver consistent high-quality results in fast-moving production environments, especially on the more challenging papers and boards. The inks provide excellent results on the very latest modern high-speed printing machines. At high speeds, SunLit ProPace’s low misting performance was a vital goal within the development process. SunLit ProPace does not use environmentally problematic PTFE wax and contains higher levels of bio-renewable materials.

Industrial property investors Roy Splansky and Mark Goode started 2024 by becoming landlords for a Chicago-based company once referred to as North America’s largest commercial printer. Venture One, a Rosemont-based firm co-founded and led by Splansky and Goode, paid $50 million to the company, R.R. Donnelley & Sons, to buy two industrial buildings spanning more than 500,000 square feet in the western suburb of St. Charles, public records show. R.R. Donnelley is staying on as a tenant in the buildings at 609 South Kirk Road and 1750 Wallace Avenue, records show, meaning it likely sold the parcels as an alternative means of raising capital to eschew rising interest rates.

Economically, 2024 is likely to look much like 2023 for the commercial printing industry, with sales growing modestly at best and margins tight. Top challenges will again include operating cost inflation, particularly rising labor costs, and stiff resistance to price increases. Top opportunities will include strengthening risk management and drawing on artificial intelligence (AI) to maximize productivity, enhance mission-critical functions, and support superior decision-making companywide. The 86 commercial printers who have participated to date in the third quarter 2023 PRINTING United Alliance State of the Industry Survey, sponsored by Canon U.S.A., broadly agree that uncertainty about the course of interest rates and the American economy has caused clients to “tighten their belts significantly.” The group’s sales (all sources) continued to grow through September, but by just 2.9%, on average. Operating cost inflation moderated to 4.6% as supply chains continued to heal, but weakened demand limited price increases to 3.9%.

KnowledgeWorks Global Ltd. (KGL), the leader in transformative content solutions, has been named a Benetech Global Certified AccessibleTM (GCA) vendor. A global social enterprise nonprofit, Benetech focuses on providing equitable opportunities for all learners and issues this certification to vendors who produce files that meet a full range of accessibility features required to support the needs of all readers, including those with disabilities and learning differences. Benetech’s GCA certification program is the first-ever, third-party EPUB certification program to verify eBook accessibility. As an approved vendor, KGL has demonstrated success consistently producing files in accordance with Benetech’s GCA certification standard, meeting the EPUB Accessibility 1.0 Conformance and Discovery specification and exceeding a publishing standard level of WCAG 2.0 AA.

Sheridan proudly announces the installation of the first Komori Lithrone GLX844RP in the United States at its Sheridan Minnesota facility. On track to be fully operational in January 2024, the investment in this state-of-the-art 8-unit, 44” perfecting press signifies the continued movement forward in Sheridan's commitment to innovation and excellence. The GLX844RP's 44" width revolutionizes printing capabilities, allowing Sheridan to produce sizes up to 7 ½" x 10 ½" as 32-page signatures—a significant advancement over traditional 40" presses limited 16-page capability. The press’s unique configuration incorporates four reverse printing units that result in the elimination of any need to flip the sheet, allowing it to achieve speeds up to 15,000 sheets per hour. Boasting full automation, AI, and self-learning capabilities for ink presets, register presets, and air presets, this press ensures unparalleled efficiency in full-color printing.

Walsworth recently purchased the real estate that houses its Saint Joseph operation, located on Maiden Lane in Saint Joseph, Michigan. Walsworth acquired IPC Print Services in 2010, taking over the building’s lease in the process, and has been utilizing the full extent of the plant’s printing capabilities since then. Walsworth officially took ownership of the property on Oct. 31, 2023. “Purchasing this building tells our employees, and the Saint Joseph community, that we’re here to stay,” said Phil Archer, General Manager of Walsworth – Saint Joseph. “It’s another step in showing our commitment to this location.” Lucas Vandermolen, the Manufacturing Support Manager at Walsworth – Saint Joseph, feels that the purchase is a big step for the future of the plant. “The investment to own our facility is a huge commitment by the Walsworth family to our employees, customers, and community,” said Vandermolen.

Schumann Printers is excited to announce the acquisition and installation of a new Graphic Systems Services Model-38’’ Stationary Universal UV Coater featuring three OXYTECH SYSTEMS UV lamps on our M-1000 5-unit press. Here's what the new UV coater brings to the table: 1) Improved Efficiency- This state-of-the-art UV coater not only boosts production speeds but also offers quick change Anilox & plate sleeves engraved to customer specifications. It has a flow out structure for better lay down of coating produced by foaming issues. 2) Streamlined Maintenance- The UV coater's unique design minimizes downtime for scheduled maintenance, ensuring that our projects remain on schedule. It has individual motorized control for plate and impression on the fly adjustment with skewing capability for longer pad life. 3) Responsive and Accurate Performance- This UV coater is equipped with HMI touch screen panel controls for all independent drives, registration, and impression adjustment.

Democrat Printing and Lithographing of Little Rock, Arkansas (DP&L) has entered into a strategic partnership with EP Graphics of Berne, Indiana. DP&L was founded in 1871 and has been in the printing business through five generations of family ownership, specializing in magazines, catalogs and other publications. “We are excited about the opportunities that this partnership brings for both our team and our customers,” said Frank Park III, co-owner and chairman of the board of DP&L. “EP Graphics shares our core values and vision, as well as our history as a family-owned business, and we are confident that this transition will result in continued success and growth. The decision to enter into this partnership was carefully considered, and EP Graphics emerged as the ideal partner to carry forward the legacy and continue the tradition of excellence established by DP&L. The strategic partnership with EP Graphics brings together two dynamic organizations, combining our strengths and expertise to create a stronger and more competitive entity in the ever-changing printing industry.”

What notable federal legislative activity took place in 2023? A significant win for the PRINTING United Alliance’s apparel community was the enactment of the bipartisan Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces for Consumers Act, also known as the INFORM Consumers Act. The law will make it harder for criminal enterprises to operate in the shadows of the Internet. The Act took effect on June 27, 2023, and will crack down on criminals selling stolen, counterfeit, or unsafe items in online marketplaces. It requires online marketplaces to collect, verify, and disclose certain information about “high-volume third-party sellers.” The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can issue civil penalties of $50,120 per violation.

Miller’s Professional Imaging, the largest professional lab organization in the United States, is pleased to announce their acquisition of the HP Indigo 100K HD Digital Press. This investment underscores the company’s keen focus on enhancing their professional prints and press products as well as their passion to deliver unmatched service to customers. With facilities in both Pittsburg, Kansas, and Columbia, Missouri, Miller’s Professional Imaging serves clients in all fifty states and Canada. The company’s national footprint, combined with an innovative approach, allows it to tap into the power of technology while maintaining appreciation and respect for traditional print craftsmanship. When the company was founded in 1939, it was created with the intent to provide a full-service photo lab. Today, that remains true – Miller’s Professional Imaging continues to support established photographers with a comprehensive offering and one-stop business model.

*Revenues of $779.7 million for the quarter ended October 29, 2023; operating earnings of $66.7 million; and net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation of $41.7 million ($0.48 per share). *Launched an ambitious program including costs reductions, measures aimed at less-performing activities and the sale of real estate assets to improve the Corporation's earnings per share and balance sheet. Actions already undertaken: *Closed the Montreal recycling plant and integrated recycling into packaging plants. *Announced, on November 24, 2023, the closure of the Tomah, Wisconsin, packaging plant in February 2024.

With a focus on marketing communications and the secondary packaging supply chain, this specialized offering from RRD’s Life Sciences group meets the industry’s growing need for consolidated supplier solutions amid increasing regulatory scrutiny. “From concept to consumers, our platform for product commercialization makes end-to-end visibility possible, which is something our clients find tremendous value in as they seek to reduce risk, meet inflexible timelines, and alleviate margin pressures,” says Ken Gammon, Senior Vice President, RRD Healthcare Solutions. The following core capabilities and services form the foundation of RRD’s single-source offering: *Creative execution – a global creative suite of production services *Marketing communications – industry expertise and production support for all healthcare-professional and consumer-facing communications *Packaging and labels – structural engineering, design, testing and manufacturing of product packaging and secondary packaging *Kitting and fulfillment – a globally integrated network to drive resilience, speed to market and increase market share for both indirect and direct product execution

Sheridan is delighted to announce not one, but two steps forward in its binding capabilities with the installation of two cutting-edge Muller Martini perfect binding systems. Installation of a Muller Martini Publica PRO12 binding system is currently underway at Sheridan’s Versailles, KY facility and is expected to be fully operational by year end. This highly automated system boasts a robust 12,000 cycles per hour and features a 24-pocket gathering line, end-sheet tipping and lining station, EVA and PUR glue application, trimmer, and stacker. Another perfect binding system, also a Muller Martini Publica PRO12, has been installed at the Grand Rapids, MI facility and is ramping up operations.

More than 100 manroland Goss presses worldwide produce for the printing giant Quad – one of North America's largest printing companies and a global marketing experience company that unites all the essential resources required for frictionless, scalable marketing execution. In the last seven years alone, manroland Goss has successfully commissioned eight new presses for Quad. The two newest machines, two LITHOMAN IV presses, are in operation at Quad's Hartford, Wisconsin, location. The customer and manufacturer are working together to achieve a peak run time of 52,500 rph on the recently installed LITHOMAN IV – a new record speed for manroland Goss commercial web presses. *Production successfully started on two new LITHOMAN IV presses at Quad in Hartford, Wisconsin. *More than 100 presses worldwide testify to Quad's decades of confidence in the quality and reliability of manroland Goss. *Drive for top performance: Customer and manufacturer work on a new top speed for the LITHOMAN IV.

Sun Chemical has further enhanced its sheetfed offset direct food contact ink offering with the launch of an innovative, ‘green’ shade blue pigment that helps to increase the color gamut available to designers and brand owners, especially now within the ‘green’ shade color space without comprising compliance to accepted food safety standards. Due to the stringent compliance requirements Sun Chemical adheres to for direct food contact (DFC) printing, there is a rigorous pigment selection process used by Sun Chemical for its DFC product range which considers pigment chemistry and potential non-intentionally added substances (NIAS). Currently, there are no suitable green pigments available on the market. The commercial green pigments that are available contain residual NIAS of regulatory concern, which could potentially migrate into the food. This has restricted the colour palette available for direct food contact inks. The addition of this new base to the SunPak DirectFood Plus range means that 1801 colours can now be achieved at a tolerance of Delta E <2 (dE2000) to Digital Master Pantone.

The North American Carbon Balanced Printer program is proud to announce that it has signed its first partner printer. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Hudson Printing has joined the Carbon Balanced Printer program to further reduce its impact on the environment, as well as the impact of its customers. The Carbon Balanced Printer program offers its partner printers the opportunity to carbon balance their paper and print services. Members of the program are printers that have measured their own carbon footprint, then offset those emissions with the global conservation group World Land Trust to become a certified Carbon Balanced Printer. World Land Trust uses funds raised through the program to protect and restore threatened natural habitats in Vietnam, Mexico, Ecuador and Guatemala. By protecting these areas of high biodiversity and the species within them, World Land Trust preserves important ecosystems while preventing the release of CO2 into the atmosphere through deforestation and degradation. The amount of carbon offset by Hudson is equivalent to the preservation of 834,013 m2 of land, or the area covered by 156 NFL football fields.

Ricoh USA, Inc. announced the RICOH Pro VC80000. With this new high-speed inkjet webfed platform, print service providers can harness greater automated production, closed loop quality control and more advanced production floor integration, to enjoy highly efficient operation and application agility. The RICOH Pro VC80000 builds on the success of the RICOH Pro VC70000 and is designed for the production of exceptional quality direct mail, color books, catalogs, magazines and commercial print applications on coated media up to 300gsm. A unique family of software and hardware tools delivers increased automation of production, print quality control and communication with many AI, machine learning and data analysis features that ensure predictable and repeatable output with minimal operator intervention.

Quad/Graphics, Inc. (NYSE: QUAD) released its 2023 Environmental, Social and Governance Update. *Quad’s U.S. facilities recycled more than 98% of their industrial wastepaper and other solid waste through innovations for conserving raw materials, minimizing waste and repurposing materials such as paper, plastic and cardboard paper cores and limiting what they send to landfills. *Quad’s In-Store team eliminated 330,000 plastic polybags and other materials from entering the waste stream every year by redesigning the packaging for Quad’s LAMà Displays. *In 2022, Quad Packaging improved by 45% its carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions per one million pieces printed and used 41% less water over a baseline average established from 2018 to 2020.

Modern Litho, a full-service commercial and publication printer headquartered in Jefferson City, Missouri, today announces a new location for its St. Louis operation. The new facility, located at 5001 Southwest Avenue on The Hill, will accommodate more than 67,000 sq. ft. of production and administration space, and will allow for expanded services in the St. Louis market including: enhanced digital printing, expanded mailing, on-site storage, and fulfillment. “A lot has changed since 2018 when we first moved into the 5111 location. It has served us well and I believe contributed to helping us become the company we are today,” said Jeff Davidson, Owner. “We’ve experienced growth both organic and through strategic acquisition. Honoring our commitment to serving our customers means we must continue to invest in our workforce, equipment, and facilities,” Davidson went on to say. Modern Litho –St. Louis has moved from the location on The Hill at 5111 Southwest Avenue to the new facility and is operating at 5001 Southwest Avenue as of November 8, 2023.

The UK’s printing and printed packaging industry struggled with its performance in Q3, at least as far as output and orders are concerned; however, expectations are more positive for Q4. The forecast for Q3 was for some output growth to return; that expectation has turned-out to be overly optimistic as more companies experienced a decline in output than an increase. As mentioned last quarter, a fragile economy, lingering concerns over inflation levels, for both consumers and businesses, and the possibility of further interest rate increases; have not made it easier to do business. Printers continue to concentrate on controlling costs, increasing productivity, and looking for new sales opportunities. Some cost pressures have eased, and are expected to ease further, but so too have prices – and lower prices yet may be required to encourage more output and order growth in Q4. The latest Printing Outlook survey reveals that one-third (33%) of printers managed to increase their output levels in the third quarter of 2023, whilst another third was able to hold output steady.

Third Quarter Financial Highlights and Recent Events • Total revenue increased by 2.8% to $69.8 million, from $67.9 million in the third quarter of 2022. • Envelope segment revenue up 0.4% to $49.3 million, from $49.1 million in the prior year. • Packaging and specialty products segment revenue of $20.5 million, up 9.1% from $18.8 million last year. • Net earnings were $5.0 million, compared to $8.1 million last year.

In the wake of its successful launch in Montréal this spring, TC Transcontinental (TSX: TCL.A TCL.B) announces the expansion of raddar, the reinvented flyer, across Québec as well as in areas of Ontario and British Columbia. raddar™ is a thin leaflet folded in four that combines flyers from various retailers into a single printed product. Distributed via Canada Post, raddar™ greatly reduces the volume of paper used. With raddar™ and its digital platform raddar.ca, consumers can benefit from the best of both worlds. Between February and May 2024, raddar™ will be rolled out gradually across the province of Québec, replacing Publisac. This will add 2.8 million households to the 1 million copies of raddar™ already distributed in the Greater Montreal area.

Kodak is proud to announce Mercury Print Productions as its first customer for the KODAK PROSPER 7000 Turbo Press. Mercury, based in Rochester, NY, USA, has chosen the fastest inkjet web press currently available on the market to significantly expand its high-volume digital printing capacity. Mercury has been a user of KODAK PROSPER Technology Solutions since 2011, printing up to 10 million pages per day. The renowned print service provider will use the new PROSPER 7000 Turbo Press for a wide range of print jobs, including educational, trade and children’s books, personalized direct mail, marketing collateral, transactional documents as well as short to medium-run packaging requiring variable print.

Sun Chemical has launched its new groundbreaking ‘Pace’ technology platform for sheetfed offset inks. SunPak FSP, Sun Chemical’s flagship sheetfed offset low migration ink for food packaging, will be the first ink to transition to the new technology with the launch of SunPak FSP EcoPace. The inks are designed to support optimal productivity on high-speed modern printing machines and have strong sustainability credentials. In an era marked by faster machines, lower-quality papers, cost pressures, and sustainability goals, printers are encountering more challenges than ever before. Sun Chemical recognises these challenges and, as a result, is introducing this revolutionary ink based on innovative binder technology providing higher body and lower tack. The benefit of the new technology has been proven through rigorous long-term testing to deliver the highest levels of productivity, the lowest applied cost, and the best overall sustainability benefits. Sun Chemical’s dedication to compliance and certifications also ensures that Sun Chemical’s products not only meet but exceed current regulatory requirements. Pace technology delivers Sun Chemical’s most sustainable offerings yet. This is achieved through a dual approach of selecting vegetable oil based formulations in which PTFE wax is not used. These formulations deliver the highest bio-renewable content (BRC) supplemented by exceptional performance on press that ensures minimal wastage of paper/board and subsequently reduced usage of energy and solvent wash through fewer stoppages.

*Reported revenue decreased 3.1% including impact from divestitures, while comparable adjusted revenue was flat year-over-year *Third quarter GAAP diluted EPS was ($0.18) while adjusted diluted EPS was $0.79 *Net loss of $8.0 million including restructuring and other charges in the quarter, down from net income of $14.7 million in the prior year

Kirkwood, a premier full-service integrated communications provider, and DGI Communications, a premier full-service audio visual and technology solutions proudly announce the sale of DGI’s Invisuals print division to Kirkwood. Since 1994, DGI Invisuals has been a distinguished leader in the field, and one of the largest providers of large-format and graphic solutions in New England. This noteworthy development underscores Kirkwood and DGI’s shared dedication to meeting their expanding customer requirements while maintaining a leading position in the ever-changing landscape of their core businesses. Following the transaction, DGI Communications will remain focused on growing their rapidly expanding audio-visual integration, consulting and technology business. Established in 1994, DGI Invisuals has consistently delivered high-quality visual communication products and services, serving a diverse range of industries, including retail, government, finance, education, healthcare, architecture/LEED certifications, corporate, ad agencies, museums, sporting venues, food service, vehicle wraps, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and non-profits.

*Reported Net Sales of $700 million in the third quarter of 2023 compared to $830 million in the third quarter of 2022, and Net Loss of $3 million in the third quarter of 2023, or $0.06 diluted loss per share, compared to Net Earnings and diluted earnings per share of $14 million and $0.27 in the third quarter of 2022, respectively. *Increased Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities by $71 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. *Increased Free Cash Flow by $61 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, including $27 million of Free Cash Flow generation in the third quarter of 2023. *Reduced Net Debt by $132 million over the last 12 months to end the third quarter with a Debt Leverage Ratio of 2.36x, which is within the company’s long-term targeted leverage range of 2.0x – 2.5x.

In today's printing industry, the concept of innovation is wide in definition, but rather narrow in its goal. Leading companies grasp many tools to define themselves, increase profitability, and differentiate themselves. They utilize new technologies, systems integration, novel human resources practices, diversification, exemplary customer services, and so much more. The six companies included in the 2023 class of Printing Impressions’ Innovators of the Year were nominated by printing industry experts and consultants who identified them as notables. The business tactics and philosophies they employ may provide some inspiration to take your company to similar, greater heights. The summary of Bradford & Bigelow that follows shares what makes this company innovative, interesting, and exceptional. The insight it presents may provide the inspiration you need to take your company to a new level, or in a new direction.

Tweddle Group has been named a 2023 Top Workplaces winner. The Top Workplaces program—administered by Energage—boasts a 17-year history of surveying and celebrating organizations that have built people-first workplace cultures. Energage surveys companies nationally and across 60 regional markets to identify the best for each industry sector. Their 2023 Top Workplaces win identifies Tweddle Group as one of the best places to work in the Technology Industry. “We’re proud to see our work environment recognized,” said Tweddle Group President Todd Headlee. “The Tweddle Group team operates at a very high level and has been doing so for nearly 70 years now. They show a tremendous spirit while offering one of the broadest solution suites available to our manufacturing clients. It’s a rare combination. This award is a testament to the quality of our people.”

The Sheridan Worzalla printing facility, which specializes in high-quality children’s books, cookbooks, and hardcover best sellers, is celebrating the release of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No Brainer. This is the 18th book from the #1 international bestselling series Diary of a Wimpy Kid by author and cartoonist Jeff Kinney, and published by Abrams. Sheridan Worzalla has been the domestic manufacturing headquarters of the popular series since the first book. “We are proud to be entrusted to print the next installment of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series,” said Paul Bozuwa, President of Sheridan. “With our dedication to maintaining quality printing standards, we cannot wait for Wimpy Kid fans to get the latest edition in their hands.” Publisher Abrams announced No Brainer in the spring of 2023 so that Sheridan Worzalla could plan for the production of millions of copies of the 224-page hardcovered young adult fiction book.

Etimark, a label and package printer based in Switzerland, has made the switch from mercury to UV LED curing for its presses after adopting Flint Group’s EkoCure® Dual Cure ink range. Etimark, known for its customised package printing solutions, made a milestone decision to start using LED curing ink after realising how it could increase print speed, process security, and sustainability while reducing maintenance requirements. Since installing its first LED press in 2020, the international specialist in customised packaging printing transitioned all its production to the EkoCure® Dual Cure ink system in just one year and is now reaping the benefits of this innovative technology. Etimark’s transition to using EkoCure® Dual Cure ink across its LED presses is detailed in a new video that can be found with this link: https://bit.ly/3F126tx

Q3 2023 • Revenue of $1.65 billion, down 5.7 percent, or 7.4 percent in constant currency. • GAAP net income of $49 million, or $0.28 per share, up $432 million or $2.76 per share, yearover-year, respectively. • Operating cash flow of $124 million, up $132 million year-over-year. • Free cash flow of $112 million, up $130 million year-over-year. • Announces Reinvention, expected to deliver improvement in adjusted operating income of at least $300 million by 2026.

PRINTING United Alliance, the most comprehensive member-based printing and graphic arts association in North America, announces that AlphaGraphics has joined the association. AlphaGraphics is a franchised chain of 270 independently owned and operated marketing service providers with full-service print shops. The partnership was officially signed at PRINTING United Expo, taking place in Atlanta on October 18-20. For more information about Alliance membership, visit: www.printing.org/membership. The Alliance serves industry professionals with preeminent education and training through its unparalleled iLEARNING+ online learning platform; comprehensive workshops; highly-sought after research; legislative and regulatory advocacy; HR-related issues; environmental, health, and safety resources and guidance; as well as impactful content through its leading powerhouse media brands. Joining the Alliance provides AlphaGraphics franchisees across the United States with immediate access to all of these premier member programs and services.

At PRINTING United Expo this week, Ashley Roberts, managing editor at PRINTING United Alliance, ran an informative panel session taking a closer look at driving direct mail results using embellishments. She was joined by Tim Armstrong, the founder of Flowcode; Scott Evans, president and CEO of Kenmore Envelope; and Chris Matthews, account manager for Scentisphere. In general, the panel agreed that if there is one thing attendees can take away from the session, it’s that direct mail is a powerful way to connect to individual consumers, forging connections that an online presence alone simply can’t match. But to take direct mail even further and drive response rates up to 30% or more, embellishments are the way to go. Evans noted that “the big trends we’re seeing right now are that embellishments are real, and the drive real response.

Ennis, Inc. is pleased to announce its acquisition of Eagle Graphics, Inc. from Annville, PA and Diamond Graphics, Inc. from Bensalem, PA. Since 1976, Eagle Graphics has specialized in fulfilling the commercial printing needs of its customers. Some of Eagle Graphics capabilities include 8-color UV web printing, digital printing, security printing, jumbo rolls, traditional forms and direct mail. Diamond Graphics, founded in 1999, specializes in Direct Mail printing and has a combination of presses that allow for flexibility. Diamond is known for their Direct Mail printing and the high-volume padding done for the non-profit industry.

Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced the new upcoming1 varioPRINT iX1700 B3+ size inkjet digital sheetfed press, designed to deliver an exceptional combination of high print quality and fast, efficient production for the demanding commercial, in-plant, and direct mail print markets. Introduced as an expansion of Canon’s broad digital press portfolio, the varioPRINT iX1700 color inkjet production press joins the varioPRINT iX-series within Canon’s sheetfed inkjet portfolio, combining the flexibility of sheetfed printing with production inkjet. Engineered for reliable, high productivity and consistent, high quality, the new press will be based on a compelling blend of brand new and proven Canon technologies.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is pleased to announce an upcoming1 product, the LabelStream LS2000 inkjet press, which is being designed to serve the surging demand for digital, high-quality label converting. This inkjet press implements many newly developed Canon technologies highlighted by high-density aqueous ink, printhead, advanced fixing system and a variety of automation features to support efficient production. The entry into the U.S. label printing market is a natural evolution to support current multi-discipline print providers and expand into new markets. Our entry is built on the success of delivering high quality roll-to-roll and sheet-fed inkjet solutions via a network of strong customer support.

SCREEN Graphic Solutions Co., Ltd. announces its cooperation with KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc. in the development of the Truepress JET S320, an A3 sheetfed digital inkjet printer. The Truepress JET S320 prototype will make its debut at PRINTING United Expo October 18–20, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia. In recent years, especially in the commercial printing and publishing markets, there has been a shift toward businesses utilizing digital printing technology. This change is driven by a broader societal shift toward businesses that leverage digital data. In contrast to the traditional production of broadcast-style advertisements and prediction-based mass production, there is now a demand for data-driven targeting and personalized advertising materials. This shift has resulted in a move toward production that involves printing only the necessary quantity at the required time, often with targeted messaging.

In the dynamic world of printing and finishing, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for success. One remarkable achievement in this quest is the completion of our training on the Primera Pro Saddle Stitcher, a significant milestone for our team here at Schumann Printers, Inc. (SPI). This state-of-the-art machine has been an investment in both technology and skill development, and we are proud to announce that it is now up and running, ready to elevate the quality and efficiency of our printing and finishing processes. The Primera Pro Saddle Stitcher is a high-performance finishing machine that combines precision, speed, and versatility. It is designed to handle various print finishing tasks, but its primary function is saddle stitching. Saddle stitching is a binding technique that is commonly used for booklets, brochures, magazines, and catalogs. With the Primera Pro, we have not only embraced this technique but also have the capability to execute it flawlessly.

Tweddle Group announced a new vendor agreement with Harbinger, a leading manufacturer of best-in-class electric vehicle (EV) technologies, allowing Harbinger clients to offer a cost-effective solution for adding EV options to their commercial medium-duty EV and RV product lines. Tweddle Group will provide Harbinger with service manual content, labor operations development, body builders guide, incomplete vehicle manual, electronic parts catalog content, a web-accessible parts catalog interface, and a vehicle service web portal to house and distribute product information.

When brother and sister duo Fuzzy and Tami Marek took over their father’s business, they dove headfirst into an industry they weren’t the most familiar with. Fast forward almost 20 years later and the siblings have transformed the family business into an industry leader in field sales effectiveness and marketing execution services. If you ask Fuzzy Marek, CEO and co-owner of Waukesha, Wisconsin-based The Marek Group, he says that if his father were to see the company today, he wouldn’t recognize it — but that’s not a bad thing. “My father started the company in the early '70s. It was primarily a very small, couple person lettershop in Milwaukee. He started it and grew it over time, but it was primarily in the commercial print and fulfillment space,” Marek says.

Two UK newspapers have found a way of coping with ever-rising print costs. News UK and DMG Media propose to form a joint venture to combine their printing operations. This would include the printing operations of Newsprinters (News UK) and DMG Media printing sites in Thurrock (Essex) and Dinnington (South Yorkshire). A new company would be created to run the combined print operations. Specifically, the three current Newsprinters sites in Broxbourne (Hertfordshire), Knowsley (Merseyside) and Eurocentral (Glasgow) would be retained. This could mean closure of the DMG Media sites in Thurrock and Dinnington.

Digital printing remains a lucrative growth market in the printing industry worldwide. It now accounts for some 20 percent of the global print production volume (PPV) and is growing at an annual rate of around three percent. The latest Versafire generation from HEIDELBERG offers systematically enhanced digital presses for the commercial sector. The company is thus taking the integration of offset and digital printing to the next level and further strengthening its market position in the digital segment. “Our integrated solutions are a must for anyone who is looking to combine offset and digital printing and use them efficiently in tandem. That’s because HEIDELBERG has comprehensive process and application knowledge relating to both these printing methods, which makes us unique in the industry,” says HEIDELBERG CEO Dr. Ludwin Monz.

Trading since 1990 and with over 30 years of expertise in the print and paper industries, Dynamic Print has built up a wealth of knowledge regarding the print processes, paper and design. “Sustainability is a highly important subject and we are seeing our customers wanting more sustainable options when choosing the materials for their print projects. At Dynamic Print we have made sure to offer a full range of eco-friendly, fully sustainable printing and paper options. We have also entirely committed to “a Rewilding project” transforming our industrial estate unit “rubbish tip garden” into an environmentally friendly diverse space, creating a vegetable patch, customer and staff seating area, 4 various-sized ponds, a food and paper composter made out of pallet waste and we have seen wildlife in the garden from wild rabbits, hedgehogs, bats, moles and nine species of birds. Joining Two Sides brings many new ways we can communicate to our customers just how sustainable print really is. We’re delighted Dynamic Print are now members.” says Sarah Smith, Managing Director for Dynamic Print.

Schumann Printers has had the honor of working with Communication Arts for over a decade printing the go-to resource that showcases exceptional design, advertising, illustration, photography, interactive, and typography. Our partnership has been marked by unwavering commitment to quality and a shared dedication to graphic design excellence. We are thrilled for them to be recognized in Creative Boom's recent article titled, "Print's Not Dead: The Best Magazines for Graphic Design Inspiration."

Preferred Direct is proud to announce the successful installation of a new Hunkeler-Horizon roll-to-fold converting machine and a new performance upgrade to their HP 250 Digital Press. Purchased from Standard Finishing Systems, the addition of the Hunkeler Roll to Cut to Horizon AFV-566/T564 Folder System marks a pivotal step for Preferred Direct’s production capabilities. This advanced technology streamlines the process of converting large rolls of paper into neatly folded, ready-to-mail products. The machine’s precision and speed will provide a seamless transition from printing to finishing processes, reducing turnaround times, and increasing overall efficiency. Furthermore, Preferred Direct has invested in a performance upgrade for their existing HP 250 Digital Press. The upgrade now allows the company to achieve an impressive speed of 800 feet per minute (fpm) for monochrome print and mail jobs. This upgrade will accelerate production while maintaining exceptional print quality for Preferred Direct’s transactional and informational print clients.

Modern Litho, a nationally recognized full-service commercial printer and mailer based in Mid-Missouri, announces it has signed a letter of intent to acquire Direct Impaqt, formerly Mail & More and Brake Printing, of Columbia effective October 2, 2023. Both companies have served the Columbia market for many years providing offset and digital printing, finishing, and direct mail. Direct Impaqt’s production operation complements Modern Litho’s offerings and expands its footprint to include six production facilities located in Mid-Missouri, St. Louis and Kansas City. “Direct Impaqt has had a successful presence in the regional print industry for many years with well-established customer relationships and high standards of service. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue this commitment to customers, new and existing, while supporting a full-service print production facility in Columbia,” commented Jeff Davidson, Modern Litho President.

Questions surrounding the future of book printing drew a capacity crowd of 155 publishing professionals to the BMI (Book Manufacturers Institute) Book Manufacturing Mastered conference, held September 14 at Penguin Random House’s New York City headquarters. And though the book manufacturing sector was booming during the pandemic, economic conditions have softened and costs for most materials are continuing to go up. Still, speakers at the conference said book printers are generally in a good place, albeit with a host of challenges ahead of them.In addition to rising costs, topics discussed at the daylong conference included the renewed postpandemic threat of work moving off-shore, sustainability concerns, the shift from offset to digital printing, and labor shortages. “We’re basically where we were back in 2014,” said Marco Boer, v-p of IT Strategies, in the opening presentation. “We haven’t lost all that printed book volume that people were worried about when e-books came in, and so we all say this is okay. People are continuing to read and print, and that’s great.”

Komori America announced that Quantum Graphics, a commercial printer based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is looking forward to gaining a higher level of automation and faster speed to market with the investment in its fourth Komori press, an eight-color Lithrone G40 advance perfector (GL840P advance) with LED-UV and an MBO T800.1 buckle folder. Experiencing substantial growth over the past several years, the company services well-known brands that demand high-quality, consistent color and fast turnaround. The GL840P advance’s ability to deliver high-speed production coupled with the MBO T800.1’s automated functions will provide the increased capacity needed to meet Quantum Graphics’ aggressive demand forecast. “To meet our goals, we needed to update our equipment,” said Guy Peterson, president and CEO of Quantum Graphics. “As part of the process, we decided on the eight-color perfector because it would give us additional capabilities and greater capacity beyond our current offering. The press configuration is well-matched to the variety of work we already produce for our clients and will allow us to offer new inline embellishment and coating effects to add additional value to client projects. We anticipate the GL840P advance will double our throughput, which made adding a folder with the automated features of the T800.1 a must.

Utilizing 2022 as a third-party verified baseline year, RRD’s 10-year roadmap will lower emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) across its operations by pursuing energy efficiency programs involving several different technologies, including: *Energy-efficient lighting initiatives, including conversion to LED lighting *Heat recovery, a proprietary process that captures waste heat for reuse *Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades *Pneumatic system optimizations *Alternative energy, via physical installations and power purchase agreements *Demand response programs with local utilities, to reduce RRD’s energy consumption during periods of peak demand

CJK Group, Inc. has acquired select business assets of Joe Christensen, Inc. in Lincoln, Nebraska. Joe Christensen, a family-owned company since 1933 that specializes in the printing of law reviews and law journals, has made the decision to transition out of the law review and law journal business and has entrusted the transition of its publication work to Sheridan, effective immediately. This body of work represents over 300 publications, some of the nation’s top law reviews among them. Sheridan has been a significant provider to the industry as well, with over 350 law publications currently being produced in the Sheridan Pennsylvania facility. Chris Kurtzman, CEO of CJK Group commented, “Acquiring the law review and law publication assets of Joe Christensen, Inc. is indeed an honor for Sheridan, as we look to be the leading publication services provider to this esteemed market. Over the last two decades, we’ve devoted many efforts and developed streamlined solutions to serve this community and are looking forward to not only delivering on but exceeding the expectations of our new customers.”

PRINTING United Alliance, the most comprehensive member-based printing and graphic arts association in North America, applauds the formation of the inaugural Congressional Printing Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. This first-of-its-kind bipartisan Caucus will focus on advancing a public policy agenda that benefits and protects America’s printing industry and its rich, diverse, and varied communities. In the 118th Congress, Representatives Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24), Mark Pocan (D-WI-2), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR-5), and Jared Golden (D-ME-2) will serve as co-chairs representing the U.S. printing industry. ACG Advocacy, the Washington, D.C. lobbying firm representing the Alliance, is in the process of identifying additional Members of Congress that share an interest in the public policy challenges and opportunities in the printing industry.

Western States Envelope and Label announces the acquisition of Vision Envelope in Charlotte, NC. The acquisition will enable Western States to increase its envelope manufacturing presence and distribution in the Southeast United States. This new addition joins the current Western States Envelope and Label plants in Walbridge, OH, Erlanger, KY, Vadnais Heights, MN, Sun Prairie, WI and its corporate headquarters in Butler, WI. Founded in 1908 by George F. Moss, Western States Envelope and Label has been an industry leader in envelope and label manufacturing and continues today as a family run and owned company. While its 1200+ stock products with same day shipping are sold throughout the country – Western States is known for its expertise, quality, and innovation in customized envelope products. A process Geroge F. Moss put in place when the doors opened in 1908 and continues to this day.

Fiery, LLC, the largest independent provider of digital front ends (DFEs), and Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta) announce the release of five new Fiery® digital front ends (DFEs) as part of their ongoing and long-term partnership. These new DFEs are based on the latest Fiery platform, Fiery FS600 Pro, and customized to drive maximum productivity for a wide range of Konica Minolta production presses, saving time and increasing profitability. Fiery FS600 Pro is the most innovative and user-friendly Fiery DFE, providing unrivaled performance, superior color, and intelligent automation for digital printing. The new Fiery DFEs, fine-tuned to the Konica Minolta presses they serve, enable Konica Minolta customers to simplify and automate job preparation, color management, and processing while ensuring print production runs smoothly at maximum capacity.

Fiery, LLC and Esko announced a new technology partnership to develop innovative solutions that advance digital print technologies and packaging workflows. The companies will collaborate on workflow integrations to more rapidly develop new solutions to help print suppliers in the digital print and packaging industries. The companies unveiled seamless integration between Fiery Impress, the turnkey DFE for industrial inkjet presses and inline manufacturing lines, and Esko Automation Engine, prepress workflow automation. The integration allows customers to easily migrate their existing workflows for digital print technologies.

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company announced it has expanded its digital printing capabilities with the installation of the EFI™ Nozomi C18000 Plus single-pass digital inkjet printer. Located at RRD’s Packaging facility that specializes in signage and displays near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the single-pass digital press is expected to be operational by the fall of 2023. The press enables RRD to reduce time-to-market by 25%, maximize color and design options, and prioritize sustainability on large-format runs of a variety of different sized substrates while delivering consistent print quality. The Nozomi C18000 Plus press will drive high-volume production at speeds three to five times faster than scanning superwide-format printers. This press also expedites new job setup (in as little as seven minutes), prints up to six colors, and runs continuously without having to pause printing to reload. The new addition supports RRD’s commitment to providing the highest quality results to brands looking to make a splash with retail signage and displays made from boards and corrugated to poly-based substrates.

Training Industry, the leading research and information resource for corporate learning leaders, announced its selections for the 2023 Top Training Companies™ lists for the Experiential Learning Technologies. For the third consecutive year, KnowledgeWorks Global Learning has had the honor of making the list. “The companies chosen for this year’s Top Experiential Learning Technologies list represent an innovative set of providers who deliver immersive technologies and experiences for their learners through advanced features and techniques,“ said Jessica Schue, market research analyst at Training Industry, Inc. “Leveraging innovative technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and extended reality (XR), simulations, interactive content, serious gaming and advanced gamification, these companies have shown successful outcomes in learner retention, improved soft skills, better onboarding experiences and so much more.”

Highlights *Lower volume in the Packaging and Printing Sectors, partially offset by the positive impact of actions implemented to adjust our cost structure. *Revenues of $706.7 million for the quarter ended July 30, 2023; operating earnings of $39.2 million; and net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation of $20.9 million ($0.24 per share). *On August 22, 2023, announced a major investment to accelerate the commercialization of innovative recyclable flexible packaging.

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company announced that RRD GO Creative was recognized for learning and development excellence at the 2023 Brandon Hall Group Human Capital Management (HCM) Excellence Awards®. RRD GO Creative was positioned among prominent winners at this year’s event, receiving Gold for Best Unique or Innovative Learning and Development Program. Brandon Hall Group™ states that “Excellence Award winners are shown to be organizations that truly value their employees and invest in them through their human capital management programs.” RRD GO Creative offers expertise in design, business communications, marketing solutions, and digital productivity solutions, with key delivery locations in the U.S., India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, and Japan.

CJK Group, Inc. announced that an agreement has been completed to acquire the business of Worzalla in Stevens Point, WI. This acquisition will bring additional capacity to our Sheridan division’s printing operations and the facility will be renamed Sheridan Worzalla. “Worzalla has a tremendous market reputation and a well-defined niche in the Children’s and Trade book publishing markets,” remarked Chris Kurtzman, CEO of CJK Group. “The addition of the Worzalla operation expands the spectrum of printing services for Sheridan’s clients, nicely augmenting our current strengths in the Trade, Education, Academic, Religious, and Automotive publishing markets.” The newly named Sheridan Worzalla facility is now the third Sheridan location in Wisconsin. Founded in 1892, Worzalla has over 130 years of experience in creating high-quality books for publishers around the world. The operation is housed in a 365,000 square foot facility and employs approximately 340 employees.

PRINTING United Expo, produced annually by PRINTING United Alliance and taking place October 18-20 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta; proudly welcomes leading mailing, shipping, and fulfillment companies from across the globe. New this year at the event is a dedicated Mailing, Shipping, and Fulfillment HUB anchored with activities lined up across all three days of the event. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to view global product launches and never-before-seen technology at this year’s show, as well as take part in specially focused meetings and education. Registration for PRINTING United Expo 2023 is available online at www.printingunited.com/register. More than 750 exhibitors have signed on for the 2023 event, nearly selling out the show floor, and continuing to grow. Industry media and association partners in the space like Mailing Systems Technology magazine, In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA), Mailing and Fulfillment Services Association (MFSA), National Association of Presort Mailers (NAPM), United States Postal Service (USPS), Xplor, and more; have partnered with this year’s event, making it a collaborative engagement and draw for all mailing professionals.

CherryRoad Media, which has been quietly acquiring newsrooms around the country, has purchased Gannett Co.’s printing operations in Hutchinson, Kansas. Gannett will still own The Hutchinson News, and that local paper will continue being printed at the Hutchinson plant. “We are pleased to have reached this agreement with CherryRoad Media,” says Doug Horne, chief financial officer at Gannett. “This transaction ensures we continue our mission of providing essential, trusted journalism to the community and that our experienced team at the Hutchinson facility will continue their good work, bringing local news to our audiences.”

DIC Corporation has launched HYDRAN™ GP series of environment-friendly waterborne polyurethane resins. These new resins have a higher solid content than conventional water-based polyurethane resins and contain no amines, helping customers to shorten process times and lessen odors, as well as to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These resins deliver an outstanding performance that is comparable to that of solvent-based products, previously seen as difficult for waterborne polyurethane resins. The HYDRAN™ GP series is available globally and is suitable for a range of applications including artificial leather, coatings and adhesives.

Worzalla, an employee-owned book printing company, collected school supplies to contribute to Project Fresh Start, a United Way of Portage County program. Worzalla associates donated to the program to help provide free school supplies to over 3,000 fourth to twelfth-graders in Portage County who qualify for free and reduced lunch through their school district. “The United Way of Portage County’s school supply drive gives organizations like Worzalla the opportunity to address current community needs,” said Brianne Petruzalek, Vice President of Human Resources at Worzalla. “With school supply expenses increasing this year, families will get the support they need through this year’s Project Fresh Start.” Along with the school supplies collected and donated by Worzalla associates, Worzalla also purchased and donated 5,000 pencils and 20 backpacks to Project Fresh Start. Other donated items include pencils, notebooks, folders, markers, and more.

Walsworth President Don Walsworth announced that his son, Tripp Walsworth, will be joining the family company. Tripp Walsworth most recently worked as a Senior Account Manager with Lockton, the world’s largest independent insurance brokerage. Tripp officially started with Walsworth on Aug. 21, joining the company with his father and his grandfather, CEO Don O. Walsworth. “I can’t wait to get going at Walsworth,” said Tripp Walsworth. “I want to continue the legacy started by my great grandfather and continued by my grandfather and father. The company has grown steadily over the years, and I’m excited to be part of its continued growth.”

September marks a big month for the printer based in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Founded in 1948, Royle Printing is pleased to celebrate its 75th anniversary this fall. The entire month will consist of celebrations for all 285 employees, along with a company-wide event at the end of the month. To show its commitment to the city of Sun Prairie, Royle will be hosting a food drive for the Sun Prairie Food Pantry. In addition to a generous donation from the company, the public is welcome to stop by Royle during the week of September 25th to drop off canned goods or non-perishable food items in the lobby. The Royle Family, originally from Waterloo, worked at Perry Printing before starting the company in 1948. Royle started in print by owning several publications, including The Star Countryman, the Waterloo Courier, Deerfield Independent, Dodge County Independent News, and several other entertainment and recreation publications.

Worzalla, an employee-owned book printer, partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County to help local youth celebrate National Book Lovers Day. Worzalla associates and Boys & Girls Club of Portage County members hosted three group reading sessions across three Stevens Point area locations. “National Book Lovers Day gives people an opportunity to celebrate the impact literature has on education and storytelling across the world,” said Rich Letchinger, Vice President of Sales and Chief Marketing Officer at Worzalla. “Worzalla is committed to encouraging reading among community youth and our group reading sessions were a great way to inspire youth to read while sharing and discussing their favorite books.” Worzalla associates read classic stories out loud to 40-plus youth attendees including, Wisconsin author and illustrator Kevin Henkes’ “Chrysanthemum.” In addition, Worzalla’s big blue book mascot Paige Turner distributed free books and greeted youth before and after the reading sessions.

Xerox Holdings Corporation announced it has sold Elem Additive Solutions to ADDiTEC, a leader in metal additive manufacturing solutions and applications. The sale to ADDiTEC follows Xerox’s donation of PARC to SRI International and the sale of the Xerox Research Center of Canada to Myant Capital Partners earlier this year, as the company focuses its strategic priorities and investments in innovation on core capabilities and offerings including print, IT and digital services. Since 2019, Xerox has worked to commercialize the Elem Additive technology and bring it to market. The company’s liquid metal 3D printer, ElemX, was developed to be a safer and simpler solution, addressing supply chain resiliency for transportation, aerospace, defense and industrial manufacturing.

Color Ink, an experiential communications company based in Sussex, Wisconsin, is proud to announce its latest investment in advanced printing technology. The company has recently acquired the state-of-the-art Komori GL640/C Advance press, specifically designed for packaging printing, further solidifying its position as an industry leader in high-quality print solutions. The decision to invest in the Komori GL640/C Advance press aligns with Color Ink's commitment to delivering exceptional printing services that meet the evolving needs of its diverse clientele. With this strategic acquisition, Color Ink aims to expand its capabilities and continue providing innovative packaging solutions to its customers across various industries.

Second Quarter Financial Highlights and Recent Events • Total revenue increased by 14.6% to $71.7 million, from $62.5 million in the second quarter of 2022. • Envelope segment revenue up 7.3% to $49.3 million, from $45.9 million in the prior year. • Packaging and specialty products segment revenue of $22.4 million, up 34.7% from $16.6 million last year. • Net earnings were $2.1 million, compared to $7.4 million last year. • Acquisition on May 8, 2023 of Graf-Pak Inc. (“Graf-Pak”), a provider of folding carton packaging solutions located in the province of Quebec.

Taylor Corporation has reached an agreement to acquire the assets of DMR Creative Marketing of Deerfield Beach, Fla. DMR provides branded apparel and gift items to cruise lines, resorts, gift shops and related markets for uniform programs and the souvenir channel. The acquisition advances the capabilities and distribution channels of Taylor’s Promotional Products business unit. “DMR Creative Marketing‘s capabilities and channels are an ideal fit for Taylor Promotional Products,” says Susan Drenning, Group President of Taylor Direct & Digital Marketing. “The addition of DMR’s design talent and sophisticated screen print and embroidery technology expands our scope in the industry. We have big plans for apparel, souvenirs and other promotional products and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together.”

PRINTING United Alliance, the most comprehensive member-based printing and graphic arts association in North America, and Franchise Services, Inc., a leading franchise management company that owns Sir Speedy, PIP, and Signal Graphics, among other leading brands; announce that Franchise Services, Inc. has joined the Alliance, a historic first for all members of a printing franchise to join the association. With this move, nearly 200 franchise locations across the United States under its umbrella will gain immediate access to the Alliance’s premier member resources, programs, and services. The partnership was officially signed at the Sir Speedy, PIP and Signal Graphics annual convention, held in Kansas City, Mo. July 12-15. Franchise Services, Inc. joins the Alliance in the midst of celebrating significant growth and success. The company recently announced that a combined comparative sales growth for the company’s print management group increased 20% last year, mostly in the signage sector, but with other products and services contributing to the strong performance which include direct mail, mailing services, marketing brochures, labels, and promotional products.

*Reported revenue increased 1.5%, and comparable adjusted revenue increased 2.6% *Second quarter GAAP diluted EPS was $0.37 and adjusted diluted EPS was $0.93 *Net income was $16.4 million, down from $22.1 million in the prior year

Nearly two years after Sheridan Pennsylvania installed its first Komori Lithrone GX840P Eight-Unit Perfecting Press (the first of that model to be installed in the world), the facility has added another. The second press is virtually identical to the last (absent an extended delivery and coater), featuring LED curing, automated make-ready features, Artificial Intelligence software, and advanced ink management software integration. It is also equipped with the Print Quality Assessment System (PQA-S V5) option, which consists of high-speed cameras for inline quality monitoring. This provides enhanced registration and color control – constantly monitoring product quality for typical print variations or issues. Having two powerful, intelligent presses at the Pennsylvania facility dramatically improves quality, performance, and capacity. Their highly automated efficiency contributes to Sheridan’s commitment to sustainability by significantly reducing waste and electrical consumption.

Global print consumables manufacturer Flint Group has solidified its reputation as the sustainable ink supplier of choice after announcing that all its Sheetfed process ink series are now mineral oil free. The full range of Flint Group’s K+E process series is now exclusively made from more sustainable formulations, under plans to increase the use of environmentally friendly raw materials and make packaging easier to recycle. From July, mineral oil will also be phased out as a raw material during Flint Group’s Sheetfed bulk manufacturing processes, meaning Flint Group will eliminate the substance across its operations. The announcement follows an internal review by Flint Group after the company acknowledged that mineral oil use does not contribute to a sustainable future.

Recent Highlights • Reported Net Sales of $703 million and Net Loss of $6 million in the second quarter of 2023, or $0.12 diluted loss per share. • Increased Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities by $24 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. • Increased Free Cash Flow by $12 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, including $34 million of Free Cash Flow generation in the second quarter of 2023. • Reduced Net Debt by $80 million over last 12 months to end the second quarter with a Debt Leverage Ratio of 2.34x, which is within the company’s long-term targeted leverage range of 2.0x – 2.5x.

The Book Manufacturers' Institute (BMI) is proud to announce its participation in Tomorrow’s Workforce Coalition, a visionary alliance dedicated to driving innovation and cultivating a highly skilled workforce in the printing industry. By joining this esteemed coalition, BMI reaffirms its commitment to shaping the future of the book printing sector, and fostering a sustainable and competitive ecosystem for years to come. Tomorrow’s Workforce Coalition serves as a powerful platform that unites industry leaders, trade associations, educational institutions, and government agencies. Together, we will address the challenges of the ever-evolving landscape of printing and adapt to the dynamic needs of the modern workforce.

Q2 2023 • Revenue of $1.75 billion, up 0.4 percent, or 0.5 percent in constant currency. • GAAP (loss) earnings per share (EPS) of $(0.41), down $0.36 year-over-year. • Operating cash flow of $95 million, up $180 million year-over-year. • Free cash flow of $88 million, up $186 million year-over-year.

North America’s newest high-speed web offset press doesn’t have a gas dryer. Thanks to a pioneering purchase by Bradford & Bigelow of a Manroland Goss Lithoman IV press equipped with an advanced LED-curing system from Baldwin Technology’s AMS Spectral UV brand. This combination of companies has brought a new leading edge to the high-speed web offset market. Bradford & Bigelow, based in Newburyport, Massachusetts, is one of North America’s leading printers of 8.5 x 11-inch textbooks and workbooks used for K-12 education. The new press is its second Lithoman. According to the printer, after producing books for years on a Lithoman, it was an easy decision for B&B to choose another Manroland Goss press. B&B has been a pioneer in the use of UV inks. Several years ago, the printer converted its sheetfed and Timsons web presses to AMS Spectral UV’s LED UV ink technology successfully. However, the technology had not been perfected for higher-speed webs like the Manroland Goss that run north of 30,000 impressions per hour.

Congratulations are in store for Scott Pierquet, who was named CFO of the Year by In Business magazine in the large business category. At the inaugural CFO of the Year Awards, In Business magazine celebrates top financial professionals for their role in their organizations' growth, vitality, and future in the Madison market. This award and honor for Scott could not be more well-deserved. Scott has been with Royle for the last 21 years, serving as the Director of Finance and, in 2022, was promoted to CFO.

Sun Chemical received a silver rating for its sustainability efforts across all business units and regions from EcoVadis, the world’s largest provider of business sustainability ratings. The silver rating places Sun Chemical in the top 25 percent of rated companies within its business sector and was earned through EcoVadis’ assessment in four categories—environment, ethics, labor and human rights, and sustainable procurement. “Recognition from EcoVadis is an exciting milestone in Sun Chemical’s journey toward sustainability,” said Mike Simoni, Global Sustainability Director, Sun Chemical. “This award is a strong reflection of our dedication to improving eco-efficiency and providing industry advancements in sustainability as we work with DIC Corporation toward our goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.”

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company released its 2023 (Un)Packaging Reality Report, revealing how brands navigated last year’s market pressures and shortages to ease certain supply chain challenges and meet eCommerce demands. The second edition of RRD’s annual report now includes complementary input from label decision makers, in addition to the original audience of packaging decision makers. According to the report, those citing product-related concerns dropped to 20% from the previous 34% while concerns surrounding packaging materials and transportation also mellowed. Meanwhile, eCommerce orders rose for 60% of respondents. Despite this challenging environment, 77% claimed their organizations moved closer to sustainability goals.

Lane Press is pleased to announce to its customers and the magazine publishing industry that it has upgraded its inkjet bindery line to the new CME HAWK M7 4.25-inch head UV inkjet addressing system provided by Capital Mailing Equipment. This upgrade will enable Lane Press to offer its customers even more coverage options for addressing as well as increased speed and efficiency. The new CME HAWK M7 inkjet addressing system is a state-of-the-art technology that combines high-speed printing with advanced UV curing and addressing capabilities. The system’s UV curing technology enables faster drying times. Using multiple head combinations, the CME HAWK M7 can print variable addressing information in any direction on a wide range of substrates. “The CME HAWK M7 increases the speed of production in our bindery,” says Chris Armstrong, Executive Vice President. “As such, the system helps to support Lane’s plans for growth. Maintaining high quality while increasing capacity and production speed is our goal, and the CME HAWK M7 is an investment that helps us achieve it.”

The spirit of family-owned businesses is the heart of Wisconsin's vibrant economy, a testament to resilience, innovation, and shared values passed from generation to generation. The Wisconsin Family Business of the Year award recognizes this extraordinary spirit, shining a spotlight on the positive impacts that family businesses bring to their communities and the state's economy. Since its inception in 2004, the award program has recognized over 100 family-owned businesses, each unique, but all united in their commitment to community, innovation, and the enduring values of family enterprise. To be included among these outstanding businesses is an immense honor that highlights the exceptional journey of SPI. Being nominated for the 2023 Wisconsin Family Business of the Year award is a testament to our dedicated team that works tirelessly to uphold our founding principles.

Last week, Advertisers Printing, a commercial shop in St. Louis, Missouri, celebrated an impressive milestone: 100 years in business. Alex Fechner, the fourth generation of the family to be stepping into the business, noted that since 1923, the company has seen "one Great Depression, two world wars, a booming economy, two recessions and last but not least…. COVID. In other words, lots of ups downs and everything in between." Bill Fechner, the third generation and Alex's father, noted at the event as the next generation begins to truly make its mark that, "There’s a saying that even a blind squirrel finds a nut eventually. After 44 and one-half years on the Advertisers' team, my title has officially changed from CEO to blind squirrel."

In honor of World Refugee Day, Worzalla, an employee-owned book printer specializing in printing high-quality children’s books, cookbooks, and hardcover bestsellers, donated books to the Refugees and Immigrant Support and Empowerment (RISE) program. The local book printer made the donation at CAP Services’, a nonprofit with programming in 5 Wisconsin counties including Portage aimed at transforming people and communities to advance social and economic justice, World Refugee Day event which celebrated Central Wisconsin’s refugee community with cultural performances, storytelling, a potluck, activities and more. “Celebrating World Refugee Day in Central Wisconsin is an opportunity for the community to learn and understand the needs of refugees,” said Patrick Kabangu, Worzalla Associate and Refugee Support Coordinator for CAP Services. “I am grateful for the contribution Worzalla made to our community’s refugees and know families will enjoy reading these books together.”

Heeter, a full-service provider of secure print, direct mail, and fulfillment solutions, announced that it acquired Laurel Print & Graphics of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The combined company broadens its offerings in large format print and signage, which couples well with one of the largest assortments of commercial print and digital solutions in the Mid-Atlantic region. Scott Heeter, CEO of Heeter, said “Laurel’s leadership, skilled team and capabilities in large format print and signage are excellent additions to Heeter’s capabilities. This acquisition allows both companies to offer customers a broader portfolio of services to meet their marketing and sales needs.” Keith Jones, president of Laurel, commented, “We’ve enjoyed a strong business partnership with Heeter for many years. As we look to the future, it made sense to join forces to better serve our client base with an extended set of products.”

VIVA, Virginia’s academic library consortium, has signed an agreement with KnowledgeWorks Global Ltd. (KGL), the industry leader of transformative content solutions, to provide publishing services for its Open Grant program. This innovative partnership ensures the production of high-quality grant-supported open textbooks, open monographs, and other Open Educational Resources (OER) for use in Virginia higher education institutions. The VIVA consortium is comprised of 71 nonprofit higher education institutions and includes both public and private colleges and research universities from across Virginia. Since 2016, VIVA’s Open and Affordable Course Content Initiative has supported sustainable educational resource and access models that enable equitable and inclusive learning, give faculty control over instructional materials, and lower the costs of higher education for Virginia students. To support the creation of open monographs and OER, KGL will provide VIVA with a host of content solutions, including interior and cover design, typesetting, EPUB conversion, artwork/graphics processing, copyediting, proofreading, indexing, accessibility remediation and testing, research and permissions clearance and management, animations, project management, other related services, and print on demand through sister company, Sheridan. With this agreement, individual member institutions also have the opportunity to contract directly with KGL to support their own publications.

TC Transcontinental Printing announces a $15 million investment in its book printing platform at its Transcontinental Beauceville (Interglobe) plant in Quebec, to better meet demand in the North American market. This is in addition to a $10 million investment in 2019-2020. With these investments, including an additional press in operation since early June, the plant has doubled its hardcover binding capacity and increased its production capacity by approximately 15%, all while improving manufacturing efficiency. Moreover, the new equipments will help alleviate the labor shortage in the region thanks to their high degree of automation and robotization.

Graphco, distributor of the leading eight-up sheetfed press in North America, delivered an RMGT 9 Series, four-color sheetfed press to MCI Printing, Inc.’s production facility in St. Louis, MO, this past February. Up and running now for three months, the 25x36.75” (maximum sheet size) machine is conserving paper/spoilage waste during press makereadies between MCI’s jobs. It is also opening up new opportunities, including larger page volumes of publication printing. The 924 model outputs 16-page signatures, allowing MCI to add full-size capabilities to the direct mail, packaging, brochure, booklet and presentation folder printing that the firm reproduces. The family-owned business has 14 employees and is counted among the area’s top 20 commercial printers, according to St. Louis Post-Dispatch rankings.

Lane Press is delighted to announce that Christopher (Chris) Armstrong joined the Company as Executive Vice President on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. Chris is based at our facility in South Burlington, Vermont. Chris brings a wealth of business expertise, including sales, operations, and client service, to Lane, having spent more than 25 years in dynamic, print-based businesses in roles of increasing complexity. Prior to joining Lane Press, Chris was Marketing Solutions Executive at Quad, where he worked with large strategic accounts. Prior to Quad, Chris spent six years at Universal Wilde, a full-service printer and production facility, where he held multiple positions, culminating in Vice President Operations and Client Engagement. In this role, Chris owned operational process, delivered strategic support for clients, and directed a staff of 360 across three locations.

Printing industry leaders gathered in Newburyport, Mass., to celebrate the startup at Bradford & Bigelow (B&B) of the first manroland Goss Lithoman 48-page, 4-color web offset press utilizing the most advanced LED/UV technology that eliminates all VOC emissions, substantially reduces energy consumption and paper waste, and provides operational efficiency with a press length 40 feet shorter than a traditional heatset web offset press. In addition to the environmental benefits, Baldwin’s LED/UV technology, with minimal heat, provides a better quality product with no web growth and runs at top-notch speed, according to Jonathan Fore, Baldwin’s Director of Product Management. “This successful launch has been a team effort and we are very grateful to our partners who made this startup a great success,” stated John Galligan, B&B CEO. It marks the company’s second manroland Goss web offset press install within the past four years, according to Rick Dunn, B&B EVP. “The manroland Goss engineering team did a terrific job adjusting the press design to integrate the LED/UV technology. And the on-site support of manroland Goss, AMS/Baldwin, and Universal Color was terrific,” Dunn said. “Challenges came up and our partners worked together and promptly addressed and resolved the issues,” added Mike Daugherty, B&B Press Manager.

Graphco, one of North America’s leading print & finishing equipment distributors last November delivered a Horizon SmartStacker to Blooming Color’s 30,000-square-foot production plant in Lombard, IL. Operating near-line to keep up with rapidly growing B2-size sheet output, the SmartStacker dynamic cut & stack capabilities eliminate manual sorting and helps the commercial printing firm produce many thousands of shorter-run jobs each workday. Founded as a Minuteman Press franchise in 1988, approximately 85% of Blooming Color’s work now is printed digitally. The firm also offers wide-format printing services (both flatbed and roll-fed) as well as conventional six-color 40-inch sheetfed-offset for larger volumes, such as the 40,000 catalogs recently produced for a local college. “We process thousands of orders every day,” reports Brian Scott, CEO of Blooming Color. This month, the company adds its third B2-size (20x29”), HP Indigo Digital Press -- a second 100K device -- to its fleet of five Indigos.

Monomoy Capital Partners, a middle-market private investment firm focused on operational value creation, announced that it has acquired Japs-Olson Company, a family-owned national leader in innovative direct mail marketing solutions. Founded in 1907, Japs-Olson is a full-service, custom print and direct mail provider for the financial services, nonprofit, insurance, healthcare, retail and other markets. Headquartered in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, the company manufactures and distributes over one billion personalized mailings annually. Japs-Olson’s commitment to exceptional service, unrivaled client satisfaction and superior production has earned the company widespread industry recognition and a loyal customer base nationwide. Monomoy recognized Japs-Olson as a valuable partner due to its leading position in the direct mail sector. As a marketing channel, direct mail generates the highest return on investment among omnichannel marketing strategies and represents a stable sector with a robust total addressable market.

Highlights *Increase in adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization(1) of 5.2% for the quarter, including organic growth of 18.5% in the Packaging Sector. *Revenues of $747.2 million for the quarter ended April 30, 2023; operating earnings of $43.8 million; and net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation of $22.2 million. *Launched the new innovative flyer raddar™ in Montreal on May 15, 2023. *Won the "Company of the Year - Large Business" award at the business competition of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ). *Appointment of Thomas Morin as President and Chief Executive Officer of TC Transcontinental on June 7, 2023.

*Thomas Morin named President and Chief Executive Officer *Isabelle Marcoux named Executive Chair of the Board *Donald LeCavalier named Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. The Board of Directors of Transcontinental Inc. announced the appointment of Thomas Morin as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately. Mr. Morin previously served as President of TC Transcontinental Packaging, beginning in 2019. He replaces Peter Brues, who is leaving the Company. The Board also announced expanded roles for Isabelle Marcoux and Donald LeCavalier.

Ennis, Inc. announced its acquisition of the operating assets of UMC Print in Overland Park, Kansas. UMC Print has been a leading trade-only printer and provider of commercial printing services since 1936. As one of the largest sheet-fed commercial printers in the area, UMC Print’s capabilities serve a wide range of distributors and trade sales organizations throughout the Midwest and beyond. “The addition of UMC Print continues our commitment to adding strategic locations and capabilities to drive growth with our distributor partners,” said Keith Walters, Chairman, President & CEO of Ennis, Inc.

Last week the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) approved the proposed price increases to take effect on Sunday, July 9th 2023. The new rates include a three-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 63 cents to 66 cents. See below for percentage changes by class of mail: *PERIODICALS – 8.1%; *MARKETING MAIL LETTERS – 5.2%; *MARKETING MAIL FLATS – 7.4%; *BOUND PRINTED MATTER FLATS – 3.5%. Please note the USPS recently approved the 2024 USPS Promotions Calendar; these offerings are a great way to offset postage costs and increases. The 2024 calendar will be released online in the coming weeks.

Lakeside Book Company announced that it has acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Marquis Book Printing, Inc. (“Marquis”). Lakeside is the leading book printing and distribution company in the United States and has been creating quality crafted books for more than 150 years. Marquis is a premier book manufacturer in Canada providing high quality print services to the publishing and communications industries in Canada, the United States and Europe. With this acquisition, Lakeside will enhance its service offering with access to the Canadian market, while improving lead time and overall service capabilities for small and large publishers alike. Marquis will operate as a division of Lakeside. Dave McCree, Lakeside’s Chief Executive Officer, will lead the business. Serge Loubier will continue to manage Marquis, continuing in his capacity as president.

Schumann Printers is proud to announce the acquisition of the Muller Martini Primera Pro Saddle Stitcher, an advanced piece of equipment that promises to revolutionize our bindery. This cutting-edge machine is designed to meet the demands of modern printing, offering superior efficiency, speed, and quality. As Muller Martini states on their website: "The Primera Pro Saddle Stitcher is an investment in the future. Its unique features make it the most efficient and flexible saddle stitching solution available. Whether you are producing books, brochures, or magazines, the Primera Pro will help you to achieve the highest quality products, quickly and efficiently."

Ennis, Inc. announced its acquisition of the real estate and operating assets of Stylecraft Printing Company in Canton, Michigan. Stylecraft is a trade only printer since 1967 specializing in business forms, integrated products and commercial printing. “We are thrilled to bring Stylecraft and its experienced employees into the Ennis family of companies,” said Keith Walters, Chairman, President & CEO of Ennis. “The addition of Stylecraft expands our product lines and geographical footprint, as well as adds a well-known brand that has been serving the distributor channel for more than 50 years. The acquisition of Stylecraft continues our strategy of adding quality companies to serve our customers and create return for our shareholders.”

TC Transcontinental is proud to have won the "Company of the Year – Large Business" award at the 43rd edition of the prestigious business competition organized by the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) held yesterday at the Palais des Congrès in Montréal. This recognition is awarded to companies that have distinguished themselves by their excellent performance and ability to maintain their position among the best. TC Transcontinental also won the "Entrepreneurship – Large Business" award. “I’m extremely proud that TC Transcontinental has received this recognition from the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec," said Isabelle Marcoux, Chair of the Board, TC Transcontinental. “The Corporation is driven by a long-term vision. Over the years, we have constantly adapted to the industry in which we operate to reinvent ourselves and ensure that our company is built to last."

The Great Lakes Graphics Association (GLGA) is proud to announce the recipients of its third annual Women in Print Excellence Award. The Women in Print Excellence Awards supports GLGA’s ongoing quest to recognize the contributions of women in the Midwest print, graphic arts, finishing and print packaging community as well as those women who support the print industry in a vendor or supplier capacity. Any woman working directly in print or in a vendor role supporting print who was in good standing with her company in Illinois, Indiana or Wisconsin was eligible to be nominated. The nominations were reviewed by a panel of female print professionals outside of the Midwest, who selected one recipient per state.

Now in its 13th year, the Power of Print seminar has established itself as the must-attend event. Jonathan Tame, Managing Director of Two Sides, says, “Print has always played an essential communications role. Even in the current landscape, the power of print remains unassailable and this year’s seminar will highlight the opportunities, and indeed challenges, for print in this ever changing world.” Thought leaders from the industry, including direct mail, publishing, agencies, brands, and packaging, will enlighten, inspire, and inform the audience with their take on what the future holds.

Sun Chemical has launched Lumina® HD, a new family of high-definition effect pigments based on fine fraction synthetic mica that was developed to expand the color space for automotive stylings and other coatings applications, including aerospace, general industrial and powder coatings. The first two pigments in the Lumina HD family are Lumina HD Blue and Lumina HD Russet. Both deliver the highest performance properties including exceptional chroma, enhanced distinctness of image and subtle sparkle. Lumina HD pigments provide designers new latitude to create unique shades in the red to maroon and blue color areas.

First Quarter Financial Highlights and Recent Events • Total revenue increased by 39.8% to $88.4 million, from $63.3 million in the first quarter of 2022. • Envelope segment revenue was up 44.4% to $64.5 million, from $44.6 million in the first quarter of 2022. • Packaging and specialty products segment revenue rose by 28.7% to $24.0 million, from $18.6 million last year. • Net earnings increased 50.7% to $9.5 million, from $6.3 million in the first quarter of 2022. • Acquisitions of Impression Paragraph Inc. (“Paragraph”), on January 16, 2023 and of Graf-Pak Inc. (“Graf-Pak”) on May 8, 2023

March 2023 printing shipments came in at $7.18 billion, up from February’s $6.46 billion and in line with annual seasonality—even if it is below the previous two Marches. Still, after one quarter, 2023 has marched in pretty close lockstep with both 2021 and 2022. We entered 2023 with the best start to the year since 2020 (yeah, yeah, yeah) but we’re holding our own. If regular seasonality continues, we’ve already hit the high point of the year until October. January-to-March shipments for 2023 are at $20.39 billion, a scosh higher than last year’s $20.25 billion. April will give us a clearer idea of whether we are in for a tough or good year.

*Reported revenue decreased 1.9% due to anticipated impact from divestitures, and comparable adjusted revenue increased 0.5% *First quarter GAAP diluted EPS was $0.06 and adjusted diluted EPS was $0.80 *Net income was $2.8 million, down from $9.7 million in the prior year *Adjusted EBITDA increased 0.8%, and comparable adjusted EBITDA increased 2.1%

*Increased Net Sales 3% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2022, primarily due to higher print product sales in the United States and in Mexico, and also increased Agency Solutions sales as clients continue to embrace Quad’s unique integrated marketing offering. *Reported Net Loss of $25 million compared to Net Loss of $1 million in the first quarter of 2022, while growing Adjusted EBITDA by $11 million or 24% to $60 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $49 million in the first quarter of 2022. *Increased capital expenditures to fortify investments in innovations that enhance the Company’s integrated marketing offering and drive profitable, long-term growth. *Returned value to shareholders by repurchasing over 5% of our total outstanding common stock since the second quarter of 2022 for $10.3 million.

Midland recently presented a case study for a 10th consecutive year at the Inkjet Summit 2023 located in Austin, TX April 24-27. The messaging of the Case Study was well received by the audience as exemplified by Midland being nominated along with 3 other presenters for “Best Case Study for General Commercial Print”. Midland has won this category on 3 other occasions in past years. Other companies presenting Case Studies included Canon, Fuji, Screen, Landa, Kodak and HP. “Ten years ago, Midland made an important commitment to understand the role of paper in the inkjet printing process, “said David Field, General Manager of Midland’s Specialty Paper & Film division. “Receiving this recognition again in 2023 recognizes how much progress Midland has made in that regard and more important, further exemplifies how important paper is with this fast-growing and complex technology”. David Field presented the Case Study for Midland Paper. “David has a broad understanding of the papers available in the market and their compatibility with the OEM press technology. He is in high demand from printers across the country that have purchased or are looking at purchasing High Speed Inkjet equipment,” said Mike Ratcliff, Midland’s President, Specialty Paper & Film Division. For further information on Midland Paper’s Quick Jet! line of high speed inkjet papers, you may contact Mike Ratcliff at Michael.Ratcliff@midlandpaper.com or David Field at David.Field@Midlandpaper.com.

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company announced a new solution designed to streamline the product recall communication process for medical device companies. Seamlessly integrating RRD’s highly refined capabilities in content creation, production management, and multichannel distribution, this solution aims to ensure end-to-end support throughout this complex notification process. HIPAA and SOC II compliant, this solution for medical device recall notices leverages a multi-location production network for speed and scale. Additional features of this solution include: *Recall-specific content platform *Proprietary automated fulfillment process *Response capture platform (i.e., reply mail, FAX receipt, web capture, and call center) *Multichannel distribution (i.e., print, email, FAX) *White glove production management service

Q1 2023: • Revenue of $1.72 billion, up 2.8 percent year-over-year or up 5.5 percent in constant currency. • Operating cash flow of $78 million, up $12 million year-over-year. • Donated Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) to SRI International in April, providing Xerox greater capacity to pursue innovation projects in Print, IT, and Digital Services. • Repaid $450 million of debt during the quarter.

Graphco, distributor of the leading 8-UP sheetfed press in the Midwest and Southeast, has delivered another fully automated RMGT offset press to Hagg Press in Elgin, Illinois. This time an RMGT 970ST+LED installation continues the Graphco/Hagg Press relationship which began in 2018, when a new 40-inch RMGT 10 Series press was purchased as the first step in modernizing the firm’s print platform. “We knew we needed to change out our old presses,we just weren’t sure what brand was the best for our business,” states Jordan Hagg, President of Hagg Press. The first RMGT 10 Series press picked up the volume formerly produced by one 28” and two 40” presses from Komori and Manroland. Hagg’s print volume grew significantly during the first few years after the new press came online. “Half of our RMGT years took place during the pandemic, but growth has basically been thrust on us by our existing customers and several new major accounts that came our way. I think our print quality, fair pricing, and the fact we rarely miss a deadline makes Hagg Press an attractive source,” Hagg comments. “We’re glad we picked the RMGT press from Graphco.”

Gannett expects to have all its print sites utilize the NewsWayX cloud production workflow system from ProImage in the near future, building on a 20-year partnership. The publisher has already implemented the system in 10 print locations and will add others in the coming months. Gannett seeks to streamline its technology and support to press locations by having the NewsWayX system deliver plate-ready TIFFs directly to local PCs which drive their CTP imagesetters.