Graphic Arts Magazine - JULY/AUGUST 2020

MAGAZINE

GRAPHIC ARTS Your perfect connection to the printing, graphic arts, sign and packaging industries

July / August 2020 | Volume 23 | No. 6 | $7.95

DEFINING THE NEW NORMAL: POST-PANDEMIC PREPRESS

ACCESSIBILITY BEYOND THE RAMPS

WE MAKE

CUSTOM

BOOKS quotes@sgfteam.ca (416) 701-0111 ext. 311 www.sgfteam.ca

MAGAZINE

Contents GRAPHIC ARTS July / August 2020 | Volume 23 | No. 6 Your perfect connection to the printing, graphic arts, sign and packaging industries

7

July / August 2020 | Volume 23 | No. 6 | $7.95

Defining a new normal: Post-pandemic prepress How prepress is adapting: Part 1 of a 2-part series Dan Sparrow

10 A bold new direction

DEFINING THE NEW NORMAL: POST-PANDEMIC PREPRESS

A message from our new publisher Ryan Mulcahy

12 COVID-19 print industry news update Print industry news regarding the pandemic Staff writers

15 Meet our new Advisory Board A glimpse at the industry leaders and veterans Staff writers Defining a new normal: Post-pandemic prepress

7

18 Attracting and retaining the right talent The case for supporting a national strategy Richard Kouwenhoven

21 Cameron Advertising further expands with its second Agfa Tauro

ACCESSIBILITY BEYOND THE RAMPS

Leading ad agency continues to deliver with new Tauro H3300 Staff writers

22 Accessibility beyond the ramps Gain a sustainable competitive advantage Caterina Valentino

24 Dealing with clients: Facilitating proactive feedback Strategies to help navigate design criticism from client Olivia Parker

26 Variable data printing Accessibility beyond the ramps

22

Why every commercial printer should be utilizing it Staff writers

34 The impact of COVID-19 on family vacations What it could mean for print, hospitality and travel industries Joanne Gore

In every issue

Meet our new Advisory Board

15

Dealing with clients: Facilitating proactive feedback

For the

24

19 20 30 32 33

Print industry news Installations New products List of advertisers Classified

of print.

View from the publisher

With summer heat, comes great changes @ GAM As newly appointed Publisher of Graphic Arts Magazine, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my father, Joe Mulcahy and the entire team at Graphic Arts Magazine for their support in preparing me for this new challenge. Please see page 10 for more information on who I am, and what led me to this new position.

On pages 15-17, we are excited to introduce each member of our new Advisory Board, which brings together many top leaders in the design, print, signage and packaging industries of Canada.

We are so thankful for their participation and are confident that their collective expertise and industry thought leadership will allow our publication’s editorial content to be more focused on the topics that are most affecting your business’s daily operations.

What’s going on this issue?

Our editorial team has been working hard to load our summer edition with all the latest industry news, installations, new product releases and other major announcements. I recommend you enjoy this entire issue dockside, but if you only have a few minutes to catch up, I suggest you read CPIA and Hemlock Printing's President, Richard K’s article on page 18.

He highlights the planned strategy that the CPIA and its supporting partners are currently developing to attract and retain young talent in the world of print. I hope you share your thoughts to make this Canadian industry stronger, together.

Also, in part one of Dan Sparrow’s series, we look at how the COVID-19 pandemic has quickly changed daily life for press operators and management across Canada. Important concerns being explored in this fantastic read are: redefining what remote work actually means, how to enhance company security protocols for employees now working from home, and the overall lifestyle changes that operators are facing during this pandemic.

Another recommendation for you to check out in this month is Caterina Valentino’s feature article on page 27, entitled Accessibility Beyond the Ramps: A Sustainable Competitive Advantage. It’s amazing to see how changes to attitudes and mindsets can lead to the creation of competitive advantages in business. Eva’s Print Shop, located in downtown Toronto, is a perfect example of this advantage in action, as they are a full-service digital printer that actively reduces youth homelessness, by training and employing young professionals for future careers in graphics and print. Great stuff!

I hope you enjoy our publication, and do look forward to hopefully meeting you along the way. Please RYAN MULCAHY, Publisher feel free to reach out by ryan@graphicartsmag.com shooting me a message anytime!

10,671 industry professionals are using Graphic Arts Magazine as their perfect online connection to the printing, graphic arts, sign, and packaging industries of Canada.

So if you have something to say, join the conversation today!

@graphicarts /graphicartsmagazine /company/graphic-arts-magazine 2020 ADVISORY BOARD

GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE

is published ten times per year by B.K.L.K Inc. 17-17817 Leslie St. Newmarket, ON L3Y 8C6 Phone: 905-473-9111 Fax: 905-830-9345 Outside Toronto: 1-877-513-3999 e-mail: info@graphicartsmag.com www.graphicartsmag.com Ad submission deadlines are as follows: August 14 for September 2020 September 14 for October 2020 Publications Mail Agreement No. 40029380 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Graphic Arts Magazine 17-17817 Leslie St Newmarket ON L3Y 8C6 email: circ@graphicartsmag.com Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily intended to reflect those of this publisher.

Graphic Arts Magazine accepts no responsibility or liability for claims made for any product or service reported on or advertised in this issue. Graphic Arts Magazine also reserves the right to limit liability for omissions and errors to a printed correction in the next issue.

SUBSCRIBER’S NOTICE: From time to time we may rent our mailing list (names and addresses only) to select third parties whose products or services may be of interest to our readers.

Please contact us should you wish to be excluded from these mailings using the contact information at the top.

GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE would like to thank our contributing writers: Dan Sparrow • Caterina Valentino • Olivia Parker Tony Curcio • Joanne Gore • Richard Kouwenhoven

STEVEN APRILE,

Grant Thornton LLP

EVAN CAMBRAY, Owner of Fastsigns

TONY CURCIO,

Editor of Graphic Arts Magazine

RAY FAGAN,

Chairman

CTP supplied by

Joe Mulcahy

AIIM

Heidelberg Canada

Publisher

Printing

3M Canada

Ryan Mulcahy

AIIM

ROMESH HETTIARACHCHI,

Editor

Cover Paper

Tony Curcio

Kallima

RICHARD KOUWENHOVEN,

Copy Editor

Text Paper

Paul Phillips

The Paper Express Shoppe

Account Managers

Maureen O’Sullivan Sandy Lee Tim Mulcahy

Bindery

Production Manager

Art Director

Daniel Mulcahy

Edward Gorodkine

Specialties Graphic Finishers

ANDREW (ANDY) GROUGROU, B&I Legal Counsel Hemlock Printing

NATALIA LUMBY,

Associate Professor at Ryerson University

MARG MACLEOD, Manager of DIA

PAUL McCARTHY,

HP Indigo Country Manager

JOE MULCAHY,

Former Publisher of GAM

DANIEL MULCAHY,

Production Manager, GAM

PHIL RIEBEL,

Two Sides North America

Web Development

PAUL TASKER,

George Dedopoulos

SERGE TRAJKOVICH,

Spicers Canada

President of RRGR

CARL WEGER,

Sign Association of Canada We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Media Development Corporation.

4 | July / August 2020 | GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE

WARREN WERBITT,

CMCA AUDITED

Pazazz Printing

SCOTT WILLIAMS,

Taylor Printing Group

graphicartsmag.com

Tony's Corner

What will the new normal really look like?

Not surprisingly, I’ve been inundated in the past few months with press releases, webinars and interview requests from various sources who insist that they know, right now, what the impact of COVID-19 will be when we return to work.

Usually in these cases I seek out industry associations because they can solicit key information from their members in a more objective way. That’s why I previously ran news items from The Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA) based in Toronto. Representing over 1,000 respondents in HR departments across Ontario, two recent surveys revealed important trends as back-to-work planning continues. Here are some takeaways.

First, 38% of workplaces are planning permanent restructuring as a result of COVID-19. Plus, 81% of companies said they plan to permanently retain or expand remote-working options.

Second, firms will think of “essential services” differently moving forward, and will need to better understand their role when making commitments to employee health and safety.

Third, the mental health of employees will become a top priority.

While many said their organization has already added mental health supports, 52% have not yet addressed this need.

Fourth, 89% of companies plan to recall employees who were temporarily laid off, while 53% expect all employees back in their original workplace roles within six months.

Fifth, a huge 70% of respondents reported that their perceptions of remote work have definitely changed since the pandemic began. So, returning workers can expect major changes in the ways they interact on the job. Experimentation and agile change will become the new normal with heightened corporate social responsibility. Sixth, the previous 9-to-5 standard will give way to modified work schedules and flex time options. Finally, 76% of firms plan to make special arrangements to assist employees as schools and child-care centres gradually re-open, and most business travel will be put on hold for the near future.

Good luck to everyone as we gradually emerge from this seemingly endless quarantine. Rest assured that we’ll continue to keep you up to date with the latest developments from our industry, governments and healthcare professionals.

Until next time, always remember that we’re here to help.

Tony Curcio Editor, Graphic Arts Magazine tony@graphicartsmag.com

Jeti Tauro H3300 LED • Manual loading and unloading • Integrated or master roll-to-roll • Semi-automated Board Feeder • Full, 3/4 or 1/2 automation Jeti Tauro H2500 LED • Manual loading and unloading • Master roll-to-roll • Semi-automated Board Feeder • 3/4 or 1/2 automation

Whatever your production needs— Agfa has the Jeti Tauro for you.

Exceed current printing standards with the hybrid Jeti Tauro H3300 LED and Jeti Tauro H2500 LED, for rigid and flexible media.

• • • •

Heavy duty: built to run 24/7—speeds up to 4876 ft2/h Award-winning image quality—4C, 6C + W or Primer Thin Ink Technology for lowest ink consumption Multiple automation options deliver maximum efficiency

6 | July / August 2020 | GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE

VISIT OUR VIRTUAL SHOWROOM!

800-540-2432 x 858 0288 • agfa.com

graphicartsmag.com

Cover Story

Defining the new normal: post-pandemic prepress This two-part series explores the impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic on prepress operations, what we’ve learned, and the likely legacy. Part 1 will examine how prepress has adapted to accommodate the necessary pandemic countermeasures. With the crisis continuing, and many areas moving from an isolation strategy to a mitigation strategy, some printers have started announcing “return to work” dates for their staffers who have been furloughed or operating remotely. Many are questioning whether it’s the right time, or even if the “right” time will ever come. With so many printers forced to push their organization’s capabilities to the limit, a new, viable direction has become apparent.

Welcome to the new normal of ‘distributed prepress.’

In the blockbuster 1994 movie Forrest Gump, the young title character’s spina bifida is being treated with cumbersome leg braces that make walking difficult and running impossible, but are necessary to teach his body to move more fluidly and to straighten out his spine. In an iconic scene, young Forrest is in crisis, being chased by bullies, and he starts to awkwardly trot, increasing his speed eventually to a full run. As he runs, his braces disintegrate under the strain, and he finds he no longer needs them, and possibly has not needed them for some time. Forrest never returns to wearing leg braces. They served their purpose and now he knows he no longer needs them. Why would he go back to the way things were?

During the last few months, we’ve faced a considerable global crisis and had to stretch our abilities to meet the challenge.

Printers and converters around the world have had to adjust to health guidance, sending home every employee capable of working remotely and operating plants with skeleton crews. Of course, this has included most digital prepress workers. Happily, we’ve had most of the tools to cope with the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic all along: we’ve just not been forced to use them in the ways we have until now. In the past few months we’ve learned what it takes to effectively operate remotely, and since this pandemic is still in play, it doesn’t appear that we’re going to be making any changes soon. So the question once again is, like Forrest Gump, why would we go back to the way things were?

@graphicarts

The evolution of the “gig economy” has led to the development of a host of collaboration and ideation tools that enable remote operations. Many of the automation tools required for efficient remote operations were already in use by printers and converters, and just needed some adjustments to support remote workers. That said, many printers

“There is no such thing as remote work, just work." and converters continue to struggle with implementing these tools, and many of those who have implemented them struggle with engagement, confidence, productivity and process control. Those who’ve gotten it right have been able to accommodate surging demand while developing and implementing new processes.

Remote work a misnomer To understand their success, we need first to accept that the percentage of employees engaged under traditional working conditions continues to decline.

In a 2017 Bentley University study, about three-quarters of millennial respondents said businesses “should be flexible and fluid in the face of volatile working environments and not enforce a rigid structure on employees.” Easier said than done, right? But for those who are getting it right, the benefits are considerable – and with millennials now comprising half of the workforce, we need to be listening. Futurist Mike Walsh presents a fresh perspective when he says: “The phrase ‘remote work’ implies that somewhere there is an office where the ‘real work’ gets done.” He continues: “There is no such thing as remote work, just work. So we need to stop thinking about it as remote work and instead consider it to be ‘distributed work’.” Most of this is antithetical to the business practices we are comfortable with. But again, if done right, non-traditional approaches to business can lead to happier employees, improved productivity and greater profits.

The benefits of our rapid evolution during this crisis will not be restricted to prepress, but allowing your prepress team to work remotely and on flexible schedules seems to inspire much more dissonance than allowing your accounting, customer service, or sales teams to do so. Prepress is part of the production team, so it seems risky to have prepress operators

GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE | July / August 2020 | 7

Defining a new normal: Post-pandemic prepress with new businesses unquestioningly adopting their forebears’ long-standing practices. That these practices have traditionally been very high-touch and visually evaluated raises challenges when your employees are working from their homes. Companies struggled with how to track and assess productivity when supervisors were unable to visually verify attendance and how hard employees were working. The pandemic caused two fallacies to be revealed.

First, that employee productivity and industry could be visually evaluated, and second, that high employee productivity and industry was the result of the high-touch environment as opposed to streamlined processes, automation and engagement.

operating too far from production. Yet, for most printers and converters, that’s the current case.

For a significant percentage of printers and converters, prepress was one of the first groups transformed to “remote” operations. Technically it seemed an easy decision. Most reasoned that these were largely “digital” positions anyway, so by sending the prepress operator home with his or her computer, working remotely should be easy. How long could such extreme measures possibly last?

One of the first barriers they encountered was network security. Most prepress networks are highly secure; many are not even connected to the internet to accommodate client security and privacy requirements. What most printers and converters quickly discovered was that their networks have, for many years, been able to provide ample security for remote connectivity. Tradition and culture had discouraged remote connectivity, but contemporary technology was more than ready for the challenge. Where culture might have stood in the way, the business imperative forced what might have been years of evolution and development, to occur in just days.

8 | July / August 2020 | GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE

Secure networks, new processes and productivity As companies explored the security capabilities of their networks, many quickly became aware of the other security shortcomings of their current practices. For example, in many companies it was unintended but common for multiple copies and versions of client files to exist on several platforms, even in companies using centralized data-asset management. Only when forced to reexamine their current processes and procedures, did they discover this issue.

The migration to distributed production provided the perfect excuse to eliminate this dangerous condition by establishing new processes. What many found was that their existing data-asset management systems provided version and accesstracking features which had seemed “unnecessarily complex” when prepress equipment and personnel were under the same roof. When activated, the systems proved relatively easy to implement and helped to mitigate what was a long-standing but hidden issue.

One of the more complex hurdles in the transition to remote work was the reality that printing companies have traditionally been relatively staid and hierarchical,

As more companies approach the “lights-out” prepress automation ideal, measuring productivity becomes a much more involved process. If the majority of jobs submitted can pass through the workflow with little to no intervention, it means the jobs being worked on by prepress operators are the outlying anomalies. These jobs, by their nature, require more effort and scrutiny to complete successfully. When they were calculating based on the entire population of jobs, the average number of jobs per hour, including the outliers, was a fairly reliable productivity predictor for scheduling. When dealing with a much smaller population of jobs composed completely of outlying anomalies, averages are much less reliable.

So, as companies have made more use of increasingly sophisticated automated workflows, the majority of their jobs flow through very predictably and with little intervention. The remainder are more difficult to manage. Some companies have turned to a “bidding” process, which is essentially a self-management technique where prepress operators examine a file that couldn’t pass through automated workflows and predict the amount of time it will take to complete it and why. This helps the managers to develop a feel for the complexity of jobs and a deeper understanding of their prepress division’s abilities. By mixing the bid-on jobs between operators, they

graphicartsmag.com

Defining a new normal: Post-pandemic prepress can establish the accuracy of the “bids” and work to improve them.

Lifestyle changes Perhaps the largest hurdle to overcome in the transition to ‘distributed’ prepress operations is the very real impact on the operators. Suddenly finding themselves working from home (often in a makeshift office in a dwelling ill-equipped for business needs), prepress operators are also making it up as they go along.

There’s a discipline to working from home, and it’s a new skill for most. Gone is the formal structure of preparing for work, commuting, putting in a day’s work, and leaving work behind for the day. Now they need to develop a new structure and tradition. The casual conversations between peers and colleagues became structured calls scheduled in 15-minute increments. For the first month or two, meetings dominated their schedules to the point that deadlines were being threatened. Gradually though, companies have adopted or reinvigorated corporate communication tools, and prepress operators have learned to use collaboration tools like Slack, Teams, or Hangouts – and are regularly joining ad-hoc video conferences that provide face-to-face connections and facilitate production. What was awkward in March is effortless and ubiquitous in June and beyond.

working environment and the social distraction it allows. Their homes may not ideally accommodate their work and perhaps they have a family situation that’s incompatible. However, a significant percentage of prepress operators are questioning why they would want to return during a pandemic at all – and further why they would want to return once the pandemic has passed! Most will concede that spending some time in the plant has its advantages, and that eventually they would like to physically attend meetings with their peers.

However, rapidly evolving technology and its eager adoption are conspiring to reduce the reasons for a physical presence.

Companies are still in the process of understanding the transformation that’s occurred over the past few months.

Essentially, an evolutionary process that might have taken years to take place was forced to occur almost overnight due to the pandemic. Many printers and

converters are processing more work, at a lower cost and with greater efficiency, because they’re starting to explore the full capabilities of solutions they already owned or had ready access to. Like young Forrest Gump, they’ve shaken off their impediments and learned that they can actually run on their own. Why would they ever stop? In the second part of this feature, we’ll explore some of the critical technology that’s serving to make distributed prepress operations even easier, while driving increased plant efficiency.

Dan Sparrow has been at the disruptive forefront of the industry for the last 25 years in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Commerce, and advanced certificates in Behavioral Economics, Lean Six Sigma, and Strategic Negotiation. He’s held senior positions with Heidelberg, Hewlett-Packard and Esko, and is currently a consultant to printers, converters and brands – with a focus on lean production, automation and cultural/digital transformation.

He can be reached at dan@sparrow-associates.com

With printers and converters who’ve successfully navigated the transition, prepress operators are focusing on value-added activities, with little interruption. Their lives are better in many ways. With their commutes eliminated, they have more time for other priorities.

Working from home on complex projects allows them to choose times where they’re operating at their optimum to complete what can be complex and intensive tasks. Communication has become more intentional and valueoriented, when compared to the meeting overload earlier in the pandemic.

Consequently, the subject of potential “return-to-work” dates for printers and converters is being met with mixed reactions from many of their distributed staff, including prepress operators. As should be expected, some miss the traditional

@graphicarts

GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE | July / August 2020 | 9

View from the publisher

A bold new direction Since 1997, my life has been immersed by print. Being the eldest son of two hardworking print professionals, I vividly (and fondly) remember the smell of ink drying on paper as I visited my parents.

They seemed to be superhuman, as they both worked full-time as professional business owners, and parents to me and my three siblings. As a young person, I would sometimes tag along with my parents to visit print shops, tradeshows and even the occasional (and always infamous) Christmas party at CJ Graphics, hosted by Jay Mandarino!

But the pathway to where I am today did not in fact have Publisher of Graphic Arts Magazine as a title in my general life plans. So, let me explain how this change at Graphic Arts Magazine has come to be, and how excited I am to lead the brand and engage with the next generation of print professionals.

After earning a Bachelor of Management and Bachelor of Science after studying Recreation Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, I s tar ted my early career working with national sporting programs in communities across Canada. I was honoured to earn roles f irst as a Tournament Coordinator for Hockey Night in Canada’s Play On! Street Hockey Tournaments across Ontario and Eastern Canada, and then as a Tour Manager for Canadian Tire’s First Shift Program (led by Bauer Hockey and Hockey Canada in British Columbia and Alberta).

After some time working and travelling around the world, I began missing my home province of Ontario and returned to find work in the Toronto area. I worked as a freelance Brand Engagement Coordinator and Sales Specialist with multiple marketing and sales companies. This period proved to be a hugely valuable learning experience for me, as I received a diverse set of opportunities representing a wide range of international brands including Google, Nike, Lego, Unilever and Rogers (Fido).

10 | July / August 2020 | GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE

During this time, I saw my father in the later stages of his career, working harder than most 30-year-olds. I did not believe a man of his age should be working so hard, and asked if he ever considered selling the company that he built, to retire comfortably. He told me he had considered this possibility, but would be waiting years for the right ownership group to purchase. But knowing my father, he was really telling me that he didn't believe any other ownership group would be able to put in all the blood, sweat and tears of a solid day's work, which is needed to run his B2B trade-news source. During this conversation, it became clear that it was my challenge to be that leader.

I am proud to ease my father’s unwillingness to want to retire, with the opportunity to not only semi-retire, but also be able to give continued guidance and insight towards the development of what he has created over the past 24 years at Graphic Arts Magazine. Now, I am privileged to work alongside Joe and the rest of our amazing team at Graphic Arts Magazine. I am excited to be leading the upgrade of our established media platforms (printed publication and news website), as well as manage the creation and integration of our new media formats. More to come in the following months, but we will keep you updated online until then! In my first role as Publisher, I wanted to introduce Graphic Arts Magazine’s four “Pillars of Action” which we will use to make each and every decision our team faces.

to make sound decisions that benefit the overall team, business and markets you serve. Use your skills to show others you care about their end goals. Always be resilient.

2. Be a respected professional Show humanity in all interactions. Admit fault when mistaken or incorrect. Always use best ethical judgements to ensure credibility. Connect common issues and difficult problems to the most effective industrial solutions. Always be kind.

3. Focus on evolution All processes can be improved upon.

Be a curious truth seeker. Ask tough questions that will ultimately deliver thought ful answers and ef f icient solutions. Only those who continuously evolve can survive. Always be improving.

4. Create remarkable value Use resources to create custom engagement campaigns for customers, advertisers and partners. Create and promote ideas, products and services that will help small and medium-sized business owners. Always be valuable.

– Ryan Mulcahy

1. Lead to victory Teamwork makes the dream work. Whatever your position, strive to be your best manager.

Use team knowledge

graphicartsmag.com

PrintingStrong.com

INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW

THE WORLD’S FASTEST CUT-SHEET COLOR INKJET PRESS

Would you like a FREE Production Inkjet Press?

After considering all the factors — including the small footprint of the Elan 500 HD, its powerful throughput, a larger format sheet-size, super efficient workflows, a low power consumption, aggressive total cost of ownership (TCO) profile - we made your decision an easy one.

With our #PrintingStrong program, we’re making this decission even easier by providing qualified companies such as yours the opportunity to secure this press with no capital acquisition costs.

#PrintingStrong program which allows for: • Qualified companies printing 12 M or more letter impressions per year the opportunity to secure an Elan HD for a multi (2 to 5) year, no capex or lease payment program.

• The only expenses required are day-to-day running costs, a true “Pay as You Print” program.

Elan Highlights: • 500 impressions per minute • Up to 18”x26” sheet size • CMYK inkjet press • 94% + availability • Self or factory maintenance • Canadian Designed and Manufactured

CANADIAN OFFICE

USA OFFICE

2810 Argentina Rd, Unit 6

5000 W. 36th Street, Suite 130

Mississauga, Ontario L5N 8L2

Minneapolis, MN 55416

1-833-335-7429

1-833-335-7429

sales@delphaxsolutions.com

PrintingStrong.com DelphaxSolutions.com #delphaxelan500HD #PrintingStrong

COVID-19 News Update

SinaLite launches free Bounceback Resource Center for printers To help the commercial printing community “bounce back” from the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian trade-only printer SinaLite (Markham, ON) has created a new online Bounceback Resource Center. It’s a page on the SinaLite website that houses a number of timely, free-to-download resources, even for those who don’t have a SinaLite account. The resource center contains a variety of materials – including sell sheets, product images, webinar recordings, product guides, how-to guides, and useful links. Users can learn how to create a cold-calling strategy, discover what to sell to restaurants, download high-resolution images for their website, and more.

SinaLite said it created the resource center to help businesses save time and money, as well as gain the knowledge they need to maximize their print sales during this important period of growth. The resources offered are especially helpful for print shops, print brokers and sign shops. SinaLite added that it hopes the resource center will also help local businesses bounce back and see their communities flourish again.

Sydney Stone launches Antibacterial Laminating Film in Canada Print-finishing specialist Sydney Stone (Toronto) has introduced Derprosa Bacterstop, an Antibacterial Laminating Film, to Canada. The company has supplied Derprosa Laminating Films since 2010 and offers sales and service nationwide with branches in both Toronto and Vancouver. Bacterstop is an OPP Laminating Film that comes in gloss and matte finishes.

It guarantees that the proliferation of bacteria is inhibited by more than 99% on the laminated surface, according to tests carried out in accordance with the ISO 22196 standard. The lamination agent is also effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The technology is also utilized in medical, food and water applications. The thin film can be used on a variety of applications, including business cards, book covers, postcards, brochures, medical documents, menus and catalogues.

Bacterstop can accommodate the same applications that a customer would typically use a glossy or matte finish for – such as packaging, books, other printed commercial communications, and so on. The film provides the same excellent clarity finish as Sydney Stone’s regular OPP films, but with an added layer of protection. The company is expecting delivery in Derprosa Bacterstop early July.

12 | July / August 2020 | GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE

Change will be the new normal as we return to work The Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA, Toronto) has released the results of its second COVID-19 member survey, and the majority said they anticipate significant changes as workplaces slowly open. “Workplaces will fundamentally change and the ‘new normal’ will require a total reset in HR practices and policies,” said Louise Taylor Green, CEO of the HRPA. Some key takeaways from the survey: 38% of organizations plan permanent restructuring, reduction of physical workspaces, and changes to the ways people interact; new programs will be put in place including modified work schedules (25%), flextime (19%) and rotating shifts (18%); 81% of organizations plan to permanently retain or expand remote-working options; 76% of companies are planning to make special arrangements to assist their employees, as schools and most child-care centres remain closed and summer camps are not available; for 80% of organizations, sign-off will be required on any new and/or updated policies or procedures related to health, safety, or hygiene in the workplace prior to returning to work; business travel will remain on hold with 85% of respondents confirming changes to Louise Taylor Green business travel policies.

IntelliFLEX adjusting to COVID-19 The intelliFLEX Innovation Alliance (Ottawa) has released a summary of its current initiatives. The Alliance’s premier event, CPES2020, has been postponed until this fall or early 2021 with a final date to be decided. Mark Majewski will transition from the role of CEO into a Special Advisor. This will allow him time to assist where he’s most needed – notably engineering manufacturing to help frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19. Michelle Chretien will become Acting CEO. Naudia Banton will continue to lead Operations at the Alliance. Finally, given the current restrictions on in-person meetings, intelliFLEX will focus on being a centre of knowledge, offering industryrelated news updates, training and virtual meetings to connect members and its ecosystem.

Trudeau extends CERB by two months At press time, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) is being extended by two months. The program provided taxable payments of $2,000 for up to four months to Canadians who lost income because of COVID-19. That has now been extended to six months. “The reality is that there are three million people out of work who are looking for work, and even as our economy is reopening, there are many, many more people out of work, willing to work, than there are jobs available,” he said. Recipients for the new phase will be required to sign a form acknowledging that the government is encouraging them to look for work, and to consult with the government's job bank.

graphicartsmag.com

DDL: EXPERT RICOH SALES & SERVICE SINCE 1997

INTRODUCING THE NEW

RICOH PRO C5300/5310S Stunning quality without compromise.

T S E R E it

T ed cred N I 0% ov r p p na

o

Engineered to provide the best features and advanced technologies in a compact and scalable, configurable footprint, all at an affordable price.

Contact Your DDL Account Manager, or Ron Cunha, Sales Manager 416-218-4376 RonC@documentdirection.ca www.documentdirection.ca

T R UTSRTUESDT IETD &I TC & Y BCEYRBSEERCSUERCI U TR Y I FT OY RF O TH R ET H I NED IUNSDTURSYT R Y

NOW isNOW the time is thetotime focus to on focus your onCyberSecurity. your CyberSecurity.

Attacks Attacks are upare 8000x up 8000x in thisin new thisenvironment. new environment.

DDL inDDL partnership in partnership with DigitalDefence with DigitalDefence provides provides comprehensive comprehensive CyberSecurity CyberSecurity assessment assessment and protection. and protection.

We provide We provide the advisory the advisory services services that align thatsecurity align security with with your business your business strategy strategy and practices. and practices.

Our protection Our protection services services securesecure your data your and data network and network by assessing by assessing vulnerabilities vulnerabilities and validating and validating security security controls controls using using audits audits and penetration and penetration testing,testing, or “ethical or “ethical hacking.” hacking.”

And And shouldshould you suffer you a suffer security a security or privacy or privacy breach,breach, we provide we provide the 24x7 theresponse 24x7 response services services and expertise and expertise to minimize to minimize financial financial and reputational and reputational loss. loss.

We guide Weyour guideorganization your organization through through all stages all stages of a case of a case involving involving electronic electronic data, from data,responding from responding to the initial to the initial incident incident to yourtoeventual your eventual success success in arbitration in arbitration or court, or if court, if needed. needed.

COVID-19 COVID-19 Statement: Statement: DDL REMAINS DDL REMAINS OPEN OPEN On AprilOn 4, 2020, April 4,the2020, Government the Government of Ontario of Ontario revised revised the list oftheessential list of essential workplaces workplaces that canthat can remain operational remain operational and DDLand continues DDL continues to qualify. to qualify.

As a result, As awe result, are fully we are operational, fully operational, as are our as are our key partners, key partners, and we and do not weanticipate do not anticipate any major any major interruptions interruptions to our supply to ourchain. supplyOur chain. sales, Our sales, service service and support and support teams are teams hereare to serve here toyou. serve you.

Contact Contact youryour DDL DDL Account Account Manager, Manager, or or Phone Phone 416-218-8284 416-218-8284 sales@documentdirection.ca sales@documentdirection.ca www.documentdirection.ca www.documentdirection.ca

Meet our new Advisory Board Special thanks to the new members of our Graphic Arts Magazine (GAM) Advisory Board.

Their guidance in so many diverse areas will be extremely valuable to us and to our readers, as we emerge from this pandemic and navigate the “new normal.” – Joe Mulcahy, GAM Chairman STEVEN APRILE

TONY CURCIO

ANDREW (ANDY) GROUGROU

Steven is a Partner with Grant Thornton LLP (Toronto). His expertise covers corporate and personal tax return planning and preparation, new business start-ups, personal financial and estate planning, and more. He’s especially adept in providing owner-managed businesses with guidance when completing year-end financial statements and tax returns. As a Certified Financial Planner, Steven can develop a financial plan that considers a client’s entire financial picture, including tolerance for risk.

Tony has been News Editor then Editor of Graphic Arts Magazine for over a decade.

A graduate of Ryerson University’s School of Journalism, he began his career with the Toronto Star’s Communications Department, eventually becoming Head Writer. His expertise covers news, features, copywriting, advertorials, press releases, book editing, humour writing and more.

Andrew has been National Sales Manager at 3M Canada’s Commercial Solutions Division since 2014, and also National Sales Manager for 3M’s Commercial Graphics and Architectural Markets. He’s been a board member, VP and President of the Sign Association of Canada, and earned his Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Marketing and Marketing Management at Concordia University. He also has Six Sigma Black Belt Certification. “I’m looking forward to helping our customers – and the industry – through this evolution,” he said.

RAY FAGAN

EVAN CAMBRAY

Owner of Fastsigns of Markham and Richmond Hill, Ontario, Evan was initially an Energy Systems Engineering Technologist with a BA of Technology from Toronto’s Ryerson University. After teaching advanced marketing and some technical courses at Ryerson, he then sold technical services to commercial printers and agencies, leading to key marketing and sales management roles with Kodak, Fujifilm and Cascades. He was PESDA President for multiple terms.

@graphicarts

ROMESH HETTIARACHCHI

Ray has worked for Heidelberg Canada Graphic Equipment since 1995. He’s currently a Sales Specialist and Product Manager for sheetfed presses, digital products and post-press packaging. He supports sales efforts with equipment updates, prepares customer offers, and liaises with the OEM’s factory in Germany for training, demonstrations and preparing marketing materials. Prior to Heidelberg, Ray was a Senior Press Operator in Ontario for 14 years. He’s served on numerous industry associations and showcased Heidelberg products at industry tradeshows. “I’ve had the pleasure of helping customers across the country in packaging and commercial shops,” he added.

Romesh is Founder and Managing Director of B&I Legal Counsel (Toronto). His clients rely on his guidance to succeed in the digital economy, and reach early resolutions of legal disputes. Responsible for the direction of the firm, Romesh specializes in integrating ideas that combine corporate branding, business and technology. Focusing on commercial negotiations and dispute resolution, he’s a highly trained negotiator with engaging people skills. He also represents firms in commercial disputes at the Ontario Superior Court.

GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE | July / August 2020 | 15

Meet our new Advisory Board RICHARD KOUWENHOVEN

MARG MACLEOD

JOE MULCAHY

Richard has been President and COO of Hemlock Printing (Burnaby, BC) since 2012, President of sister company Hemlock Harling, and is currently Chair of the CPIA. He has over 30 years’ experience and is a driving force in Hemlock’s day-to-day operations and strategic direction. His expertise covers sheetfed offset, digital, wide-format, ERP and integrated workflow, mailing and fulfillment, and sustainable printing. He earned his BA in Graphic Communications Management from Ryerson University in 1996. “I look forward to contributing my voice as a way to give back to our diverse and very important industry, and to find ways to collaborate at a national level,” he said.

Marg is an Account Rep for Friesens (one of Canada’s largest book printers) and Manager of the Toronto-based Digital Imaging Association (DIA). She started her career as a production buyer at advertising agencies, working in Montreal and Toronto with Ogilvy & Mather, and eventually became VP of Print Production at Saatchi & Saatchi – at the time the world’s largest ad agency. She then moved deeper into print, working for Batten Graphics, TriGraphic Printing and then Friesens. Marg owns a print training and consulting business, specializes in continuous process improvements, is a Certified Quality Process Auditor, an ISO 9000 Certified Lead Auditor, and an ISO 9000 Certified Internal Auditor.

As former Publisher of Graphic Arts Magazine (GAM) and its current Chairman, Joe has decades of experience in printing and publishing. He came to Canada from Ireland in 1971 and worked in a print shop. Later, he successfully bought, ran and sold two printing companies. In 1997 he saw the need for a better B2B news source linking printers to equipment manufacturers, so he created GAM. Without missing a single issue, GAM has evolved from a basic newsprint publication to one of Canada’s most read and respected trade magazines.

“Without my wife Maureen and my four hard-working children, GAM wouldn’t be the success it is today – and neither would I,” he emphasized.

NATALIA LUMBY

Natalia is an Associate Professor with the School of Graphic Communications Management at Toronto’s Ryerson University. Teaching design, pre-media and business management, her current areas of research include packaging and consumer behaviour. Other areas of interest include zero-waste packaging and the changing dynamics of packaging in online supply chains. Natalia was also GAM’s Associate Editor for 10 years and a speaker at major industry events. “I hope to create an open dialogue between industry and academia, and provide graduates with the right mix of skills to not only join the printing industry, but to grow, change and improve it,” she said.

16 | July / August 2020 | GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE

PAUL McCARTHY

Paul is HP Indigo Country Manager for Canada. He started his career over 20 years ago with Pitney Bowes in St. John’s, Newfoundland, specializing in mailing and print solutions. Two years later he joined Konica Minolta as General Sales Manager for Newfoundland. Moving to Ontario in 2003 managing the GTA east, Paul held several key positions at Konica Minolta, finishing as Director of Industrial Print. In 2017 he moved to HP, joining its Canadian team servicing commercial, label and packaging printers using HP Indigo and HP inkjet platforms. Paul has a BA from Memorial University of Newfoundland, with a major in Economics and a minor in Business.

RYAN MULCAHY

After studying Recreation Management at Dalhousie University, Ryan earned a Bachelor of Management and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation in 2014. Since then, Ryan has worked with various sales and marketing companies throughout Canada.

He has represented many recognized and highly successful brands currently on the market – including Google, Lego, Unilever and Nike. His focus on brand activation, audience engagement and metrics-based marketing will be one of his many contributions to GAM's Advisory Board.

graphicartsmag.com

Meet our new Advisory Board PHIL RIEBEL

SERGE TRAJKOVICH

WARREN WERBITT

Phil is President of Two Sides North America and P. Riebel Consulting. Two Sides is an industry-funded, non-profit with over 600 members worldwide that promotes the sustainability of print, paper and paper-based packaging. He brings over 35 years of international experience and has participated in numerous environmental projects. He was previously VP of Corporate Environmental Af fairs for UPM -Kymmene, a manufacturer of forest products. There, he was responsible for developing global environmental strategies. Phil was born and raised in the Montreal area and received his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from McGill University.

Serge is President of RRGR, a service provider based in the GTA to the printing and packaging industries. His career has centered primarily on the management of sales, marketing, business development and operations in the B2B environment, while focusing on packaging. Serge excels in relationship-building and helping clients boost their ROI. He’s currently working with Connecting For Results, a firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions, management strategies and executive recruiting in the print industry. Other prominent companies that he’s worked with include Imaginex, Schawk, PLM Group, Transcontinental, PrintLink, Central Group and Encept Premedia.

As Founder of Pazazz Printing, Warren has had a passion for print – and fishing – for over 25 years. “When it comes to print communications, I push boundaries and imagine the unimaginable,” he said.

Colour-obsessed, innovation-fuelled and challenge-driven, his unfiltered, positive and famously exuberant approach has landed him on panels, boards and conferences across North America. “My unbridled passion for what I do comes through on every channel,” he said. Warren also specializes in sales training and executive leadership consulting. He’s an industry speaker, Whattheythink.com and Colorkarma contributor, and an APTech and IPN Global Board Member.

PAUL TASKER

CARL WEGER

Paul has been Vice President at Spicers Canada since 2011, responsible for sales and operations in central Canada. He joined Spicers in 2008 and previously worked in key sales and management positions at Manroland Canada and Fujifilm Graphic Systems Canada. Paul was Past President of the DIA and currently sits on the Board of PESDA (Printing Equipment & Supply Dealers’ Association). He also served on the Board of Directors of Variety Children’s Charity as its VP. Paul earned an Honours BA from the University of Guelph and an MBA from Edinburgh Business School. He’ll bring over 40 years of experience in several sectors to our board.

Carl is President of the Sign Association of Canada and also President and CEO of Sleek Signs of Regina. His many areas of expertise include large-format printing, fleet graphics, brand implementation and more. He was previously a Partner and Sales Manager with start-up firm Intelligent Design & Signs, an International Sign Association (ISA) Advisory Committee Member, and former President of the Saskatchewan Sign Association.

Carl holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. “I hope my perspectives on printing will help other shop owners navigate the current convergence in the industry,” he said.

@graphicarts

SCOTT WILLIAMS

Scott is CEO of Taylor Printing Group in Fredericton, NB. His career began in 1991 as store manager at Mail Boxes Etc., later moving into purchasing at a local print shop and into sales in 1995.

With a group of partners, he started the Taylor Printing Group in 2005. With locations in Fredericton and Halifax, the company today is the premier digital and sheetfed printer in Atlantic Canada.

Scott's philosophy: “If a person knows you care about them and their needs, they will trust you to take care of things on the business side, and they will perform even better as employees.”

Scott graduated from the Wallace McCain Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership (Saint John, NB) in 2015.

GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE | July / August 2020 | 17

Attracting and retaining the right talent will transform your business (and our industry) The volunteer board at the CPIA is working to create a new framework for our national association that attracts and supports new entrants into our industry.

In this article, CPIA Board Chair, Richard Kouwenhoven, makes the case for a national strategy that supports the development of new talent within our industry.

If there is a will there is a way. We have the students. We have the schools. Now what we need is a nationally-aligned strategy that better connects post-secondary graphic arts students to a variety of longterm career opportunities available within our industry.

Attracting new talent to our industry is a vital strategy to help us navigate both the challenges and opportunities we are facing. This has always been the case and the pace of change seems to only be accelerating, as digital transformation continues its relentless march! Business owners within our industry face a growing list of critical strategies that will greatly influence future success in this rapidly evolving (and currently very disrupted) business environment. These include: • Adopting the right print technologies at the right time • Diversifying product and service offerings to maximize value to customers • Implementing streamlined and automated workflows that drive operational efficiency • Unlocking valuable data within IT systems which can inform smart business decisions New talent within an organization can provide an important “fresh perspective” and critical problem solving skills which will help drive substantial improvements to an organization. This is only a part of the equation, of course, as this new talent needs the right environment and the right support to thrive.

18 | July / August 2020 | GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE

So how can the CPIA deliver a nationallyaligned strategy in better connecting the talented and ambitious graduates from post-secondary graphic arts programs to the industry?

Our plan is to work with regional associations across the country along with a stakeholder group representing postsecondary graphic-arts schools to develop a series of sustaining initiatives which more formally connects the school program with local and national industry players. This is not to ignore the fantastic work that has been done and continues to be done at a regional level but there is no doubt that more can be done. A collaborative approach to create a series of national student and industry engagement programs, adopted and administered at a regional level is our goal.

Our board has focussed on three initiatives which we intend on exploring within an expanded stakeholder group in the coming months:

1. Industry tour program A facility tour has been the ‘first spark’ for many successful careers within the print industry. We envision an ongoing tour program that is launched as a partnership between one of our regional association members with a local graphic arts program. The tours themselves can be organized by instructors and / or students, collaborating with the association and selected tour partner. The program can be designed to help the students see a range of print-related organizations (big and small), to help them understand the variety of roles within those organizations and the technologies and processes which are applied.

2. “Industry insights” – guest speaker or panel discussion events

and educate students who are interested in entering the graphic arts industry. We envision a nationally developed and regionally administered guest speaker event format that encourages dialogue on important industry topics between local industry representatives and students / faculty with the goal of inspiring and educating all participants. As we continue to live with the COVID-19 pandemic, these events could be held virtually. A scalable model which could involve a simple “Ask the Expert” classroom guest, to an in-class panel discussion to a multi-speaker evening event.

3. Annual in-person “Why Print?” speaking and networking event This potentially annual event, hosted by a participating graphic arts program could focus on highlighting the changing role of print within the communications mix, looking ahead to opportunities in the future. An event of this nature could help recruit new students into the program while also engaging existing students, backed and supported by local print and design professionals.

In the coming months, our Board will be engaging stakeholders from leading graphic arts programs in Canada to refine these concepts further. Do you have any ideas or input to share? If so, please share them by emailing the CPIA at admin@cpia-aci.ca. We firmly believe the CPIA has an important role to play to help facilitate a coordinated effort among industry to engage and support its future leaders.

Richard Kouwenhoven is President and COO of Canadian sustainable printing leader Hemlock Printers in Burnaby, BC. He’s also the Chair of the Canadian Printing Industries Association (CPIA).

For more information and to join this helpful industry association, please visit https://cpia-aci.ca/

Guest speakers and panel discussions are another important way to engage

graphicartsmag.com

Print Industry News

Printful to open first Canadian fulfillment center in Mississauga

Esko launches software and hardware Innovation Hub 2020

Printful, one of the largest custom on-demand printing and warehousing companies worldwide, plans to open a 2,900 square metre facility in Mississauga, ON by the end of 2020.

It will be Printful’s first facility in Canada and seventh worldwide. The initial investment will be $2.8 million and it’s planning to grow its Canadian team to 50 employees in the first three years. The supplier will start by fulfilling DTG apparel with products in Canada expanding over time. Printful is also currently looking to hire an operations manager to help launch and lead the new facility. The company has fulfilled over 19 million items since its launch in 2013 and employs over 800 people in six fulfillment centers in California, North Carolina, Spain, Latvia and Mexico. One primary goal is to improve logistics and the overall experience for its Canadian retail store owners and their customers. It’s estimated that the new facility will cut average shipping times from nine days to two days in Ontario, and down to four d ay s i n m o s t other provinces.

Another obvious benef it is that domestic orders will not have to go through customs or be charged import Inside a Printful fulfillment center duties.

The Esko Innovation Hub allows visitors to explore the entire Esko 2020 portfolio of new and upgraded products in a virtual environment complete with insights and technical data. Users can navigate Esko’s latest hardware and software innovations while discovering ways to boost productivity and profitability. The site offers a helpful, segment-specific perspective on the latest technology, while exploring in a virtual demonstration environment. Special ‘hotspots’ take visitors to curated product videos and presentations, ensuring they can access pertinent information specifically relevant to the market in which they operate. Users will be given previews of Esko Software 20 – including ArtPro+ 20.0, WebCenter 20.0 and Print Control Wizard 20.0. Together with hardware innovations such as the new Optics 100 Version 2 for its CDI flexo platemaking solution, Esko plans to have a significant number of cutting-edge product launches during 2020 that will cover digitization, automation and connecting customers.

Torstar to be sold to private interests for $52 million Torstar, publisher of Canada’s largest daily newspaper, the Toronto Star, will be sold to NordStar Capital, a firm run by entrepreneurs Jordan Bitove and Paul Rivett, in a deal worth about $52 million (CAD). Torstar also runs other newspapers and websites across the country. “While we have loved the company and are immensely proud of it, the time has come to pass the torch,” said John Honderich, former Publisher of the Toronto Star and the Chair of Torstar's Board of Directors. “We are delighted to know that the new owners have pledged to build on Torstar’s legacy of quality journalism.” Bitove added: “We believe in news.

With this transaction we can ensure a future for world-class journalists and world-class journalism befitting the paper’s storied history. We are committed to investing in the news business, as fairness and accuracy will continue to guide the newspaper’s prevailing value system. And we are not taking the Star in any different political direction than where it is today.”

John Honderich

@graphicarts

Great Little Box Company acquires Ideon Packaging Great Little Box Company (GLBC – Richmond, BC) and Ideon Packaging have joined forces in one of the most significant acquisitions the Canadian packaging industry has seen in recent years. GLBC has been an award-winning manufacturer and distributor of packaging solutions since 1982. The deal brings together two independent and locally owned businesses with “a shared focus on quality, innovation, people and culture.” As both companies enter their second generation of leadership, talks of uniting had previously begun in late 2019. “Clients can expect the same exceptional quality, service and innovation that has come to distinguish each organization – but with deeper product and service offerings,” said the companies. “Since 2001, Ideon has been a fierce competitor vying to build relationships, trust and business,” said GLBC President Brad Tindall. “We have always respected the way in which Ideon’s people, leaders and owners act and compete in the market.

We look forward to working closely together to further our capabilities and success.”

Brad Tindall

GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE | July / August 2020 | 19

Installations

Mitchel Lincoln first in Eastern Canada to install an Agfa Jeti Tauro H3300 Quebec-based Mitchel Lincoln Packaging has installed an Agfa Jeti Tauro H3300 UV LED wide-format inkjet press from AGFA Graphics Canada at its newly renovated production facility in Montreal (Ville St-Laurent). Also located in Drummondville and Vaudreuil, Quebec, the company has a combined 750,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing and warehousing facilities. Mitchel Lincoln is a Canadian leader in the printing of specialty corrugated cartons and displays – including packaging and shipping products, custom boxes and pop-up displays. The investment will allow the firm to continue as a major player in the corrugated market by expanding its services, improving print quality and reducing turnaround times.

The AGFA Jeti Tauro H3300 UV LED is a 6-colour, 120” hybrid flatbed press that offers increased productivity, high print quality and low ink consumption. Agfa Graphics’ wide-format systems for indoor and outdoor digital printing and signage allow users to easily print a variety of displays, POP and POS materials, billboards, vehicle graphics, backlit signage and much more. Agfa’s wide-format systems focus on print quality, speed, productivity and application f lexibilit y. Available in f latbed and roll-to -roll (RTR) configurations, the printer utilizes Asanti workflow that substantially increases the degree of automation in

production. The OEM also recently upgraded the Jeti Tauro H3300. It now comes in a 4-colour version (CMYK) that reaches sellable production quality in just three passes.

Its Automatic Board Feeder (ABF) is ideal for shorter runs as well as fast, smooth changeovers between different media sizes or types. With these new additions, the H3300 LED now has six configurations with different levels of automation – including full automation, semi-automation, manual loading and unloading, and RTR printing.

From left are Mitchel Lincoln’s Juan Choy (Press Operator) and Alex Legue (Printing/Binding/Large-Format Foreman).

Jones Healthcare Group invests in Uhlmann Blister Packaging Line Jones Healthcare Group (London, ON), a market leader in advanced packaging and medication-dispensing solutions, will take its packaging services to an unprecedented new level in the form of a new, fully integrated two-lane Uhlmann B1440 Blister Packaging Line. The highly automated equipment will help manage demand surges and accommodate unique blister combinations, as more complex pharmaceutical dosage forms and regimes evolve. The new line will be installed at the company’s Brampton, Ontario production facility and should be fully operational by early 2021. “Our new line offers the highest quality, productivity and flexibility for blister packaging in a Health Canada and FDA-registered facility, including a full serialization and aggregation solution for prescription medicines,” said Marty Quesnel, Senior VP of Packaging Services. “We’re proud to work with world-class pharmaceutical equipment manufacturer Uhlmann to expand our offerings with state-ofthe-art technology.”

Fully compliant with the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA), the automated line includes a two-lane B 1440 blister machine and C 2305 Cartoner, as well as end-of-line stretch wrapping and bundling. The equipment is capable of multi-product blistering for more complex dosing regimens, and multi-product cartoning for combination packs. The line also integrates a wide range of forming and lidding films such as PVC, Alu+Alu and child-resistant

20 | July / August 2020 | GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE

formats, with compatibility for multiple products and carton formats. “Now more than ever, our pharmaceutical customers look to us to manage more of their packaging process,” said Ron Harris, President & CEO at Jones. “This helps them meet unprecedented demand for over-the-counter headache, cold and other respiratory products, while also pivoting resources to support the pandemic response. Our ongoing investment in services and capabilities ensures that healthcare companies can continue to count on us as a reliable, resilient supply chain partner.”

The Uhlmann B1440 Blister Packaging Line

graphicartsmag.com

Advertorial

Cameron Advertising continues to expand its largeformat business with second Agfa Jeti Tauro H3300 One of Canada’s longest-established screen and digital printing companies has taken its largeformat business to the next level. Cameron Advertising (Camad) recently partnered with Agfa Graphics, adding a second Jeti Tauro H3300 LED large-format digital flatbed printer to its equipment repertoire in less than two years. The investment further solidifies the company’s position as one of North America’s most successful, end-to-end visual communications providers.

The year was 1960. Xerox introduced the first photocopier. A gallon of gas was 25¢ and a loaf of bread went for 20¢.

Near Queen & John Streets in downtown Toronto, the father of current Cameron Advertising President Dan Deveau, Bob, assumed ownership of his first print shop, selling mostly corrugated displays to large clients such as General Motors and Procter & Gamble. Fast-forward to today, and Camad employs over 55 people and occupies two state-of-the-art production facilities in Scarborough, Ontario totalling 50,000 square feet. It caters to all kinds of clients, large and small. However, one important core value that remains after six decades of success is management’s insistence to continually invest in the best people, the best facilities – and the best equipment.

Today the company prints, finishes, packs and ships products across North America on a daily basis.

A history of trust “All our clients strongly believe in our service and our print quality – and above all in Camad – to get their jobs produced on budget and on time, every time,” said President Dan Deveau. “We believe in our customers and in our workforce. We also believe that we’ll all come out of COVID-19 stronger and together. As we’ve done over the years, we’ll continue to make the necessary investments to produce the highest quality POS print – from complicated displays to basic signage and more. In the near future, we’ll also be launching a bold new marketing strategy, re-designing

Cameron Advertising's Team members (from left) include Harky, Matt, Justin and Elliott (Sales), Ricardo (Production), along with Mike and Marco (Press Operators).

our website, and strengthening all our social media channels.” Camad specializes in a huge range of large-format products, including Coroplast signs and displays, full-colour banners, floor graphics, printed wall coverings, corrugated displays, acrylics, office décor, and much more. Its two Agfa Jeti Tauro H3300 LED printers can accommodate just about all of these applications and more, in high volumes at production speeds.

Agfa’s Jeti Tauro H3300 UV LED is a 6-colour, 10-foot-wide, hybrid flatbed printer that offers increased productivity, high print quality and low ink consumption. Agfa’s large-format systems for indoor and outdoor digital printing and signage can easily print a variety of POP and POS displays, billboards, vehicle graphics, backlight signage and much more. Cameron Advertising’s two Jeti Tauros will join f ive other existing high-end presses, further enhancing its overall screen-printing and finishing

capabilities, while offering more valueadded print products and faster turnarounds to current and potential clients.

A leader in 3D production as well Camad is also unique in another way.

It’s one of a few high-end printers in Canada with a Massivit 1800 3D Printer.

Camad can produce one print, or two prints simultaneously, up to a maximum size of 58”W x 46”D x 54”H at high speeds. Plus, prints can be finished in any way a client desires. They can be sanded and painted, and a variety of filler coatings can be applied to the models to add strength. Models can also be wrapped with a wide variety of stretch vinyls that can be 2D-printed to give them a more detailed and sophisticated appearance. Specialty finishing such as airbrushing and chroming are also available. Even detailed props and interior design creations are possible with the end-to-end creative services that Camad provides.

For more information on Cameron Advertising’s products and services, please visit www.camad.com, call (416) 752-7220, or fax (416) 752-8575. The company is located at 12 and 16 Nantucket Boulevard in Scarborough, Ontario M1P 2N4.

@graphicarts

GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE | July / August 2020 | 21

Feature

Accessibility beyond the ramps: A sustainable competitive advantage Believing that reducing physical barriers alone makes a business accessible is a myopic view. A broader view of accessibility is simply being reachable. That means opening one’s shop and one’s mind and welcoming potential employees for their abilities, not disabilities – for their potential, not their current circumstance.

But the biggest barriers to making a business accessible are an employer’s attitudes, beliefs and values that don’t necessarily support investing in persons with disabilities and marginalized individuals.

Attitude Hank LoBaker, a former owner of Print Three printing, believes that it’s a sound business practice to be an accessible employer. LoBaker recruited graduates from Eva’s Print Shop’s 17-week graphic communications and print training program. He estimates 50% of the graduates he hired perform better on average than employees recruited through typical recruitment channels.

Eva’s Print Shop assists young people in the City of Toronto who are experiencing precarious living situations. The print shop is a social enterprise of Eva’s Initiatives for Homeless Youth, which runs two emergency shelters and one transitional housing facility across the City of Toronto.

Jonathan Gault, Manager at Eva's Print Shop, believes Eva’s print program fills an industry training gap. For small print shops that don’t have large training budgets, Eva’s program provides access to competent ready-to-work pre-press and on-the-floor print workers. And for added value the print shop assists in matching its graduates with the needs of the potential employers.

LoBaker attests to the referral networks that are made. When one of Eva’s graduates decided to return to school, he suggested a replacement who fit in with his print

22 | July / August 2020 | GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE

shop’s work ethic. That’s a win-win situation.

Brian Dawson and Rich Donovan in their article, “Understanding the Disability Market,” believe shop owners don’t see a return on investment when a person with a disability is hired. Successful business owners expect a return on investment and, in their mind, hiring persons with disabilities subtracts from the bottom line.

That’s out-dated thinking and not supported by research. The finding from the 2015 Ontario report from the Partnership Council on Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities found that $500 is the actual average one-time cost to accommodate a person with a disability.

History Since the Second World War, lobby groups and advocates have worked diligently to persuade Canadian politicians at all levels of government to enact laws that protect the rights of persons with disabilities.

Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms clearly states the four fundamental rights of every Canadian citizen. Section 15 guarantees every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age, or mental or physical disability. It’s Section 15 that provides the framework for ever y Canadian jurisdiction to enact human rights legislation.

Human rights legislation prohibits intentional and unintentional discrimination in employment situations and the delivery of goods and services. Human rights legislation is broad in scope. It influences every aspect of the employer/employee relationship and can supersede the

terms of any employment contract or collective agreement.

Truly achieving accessible workspaces is elusive because it represents the beliefs and attitudes of the owner’s and manager’s frame of mind. To be truly accessible, shop owners need to have a deep-seated belief that all people, irrespective of race, gender, disability, medical or other needs, have equal access to the opportunities and benefits that society has to offer. It includes building barrier free recruitment and selection practices, training and development policies, and systems that promote career building and skills development for all employees.

Believing in accessibility for all results in a fair and just society where every person is assessed according to their abilities. Creating accessible workspaces creates opportunities for business owners to address labour market shortages, increase their market reach and profitability, and to fulfill a corporate responsibility to uphold Canadian beliefs.

Practicing accessibility gives a firm a sustainable competitive advantage.

graphicartsmag.com

Accessibility beyond the ramps Many business owners build their business’s profits on the success of “cash cow” products. That’s a shortsighted and non-sustainable position.

Sooner rather than later, technology allows a competitor to cheaply imitate products. The market becomes saturated and profit margins disappear. That’s a textbook example of an unsustainable competitive advantage. Astute business executives search for the Holy Grail – a sustainable competitive advantage.

underserviced market that is anxious to be served.

The disability market: Beliefs, attitudes and myth busters

Accessibility: The sustainable competitive advantage A sustainable competitive advantage is a firm’s unique core competence or way of doing business: a feature that attracts customers and makes it easy for them to establish a long-lasting loyalty relationship with a firm. Most importantly a sustainable competitive advantage is difficult to reproduce and costly for competitors to duplicate.

In the vast majority of instances, before customers even experience your product, they interact with your employees: customer service representatives, sales and marketing personnel, graphic designers and even shop floor workers. These first interactions with your staff come to represent your product. This means that customers see your products and services as being indistinguishable, one and the same. When a firm’s workforce is not representative of the diversity of its clients and its community clients don’t see their values represented in the business’ values. Over time customers use their feet and influence their network of family, friends and business associates to move to organizations that represent broader societal values.

Astute business owners appreciate that the most enduring competitive advantage is built by investing in recruiting, training and developing employees who represent a firm’s markets. No matter the industry, executives are embracing the option of investing in a diverse workforce as the most sustainable competitive advantage that a company can pursue. Top of the list is hiring, investing in and the developing of marginalized people and persons with disabilities. It’s a huge and growing

@graphicarts

In 2017, Statistics Canada reported that one in five (22%) of the Canadian population aged 15 years of age and over – or about 6.2 million individuals – had one or more disabilities (physical, sensory, cognitive, intellectual and mental health related).

Yet, of the total population of persons with disabilities, only about 57% are employed, compared to 82.3% of the general population.

Employing a person with a disability or who is marginalized carries on investments in provincial educational systems that have diligently worked to integrate and support persons with a disability through their entire educational life from kindergarten, primary, secondary and post-secondary school. The reality is that, at the end of the educational trail and in spite of a student’s high academic achievements, there are few employers that gainfully employ or entertain the notion of employing a disabled person.

That turns prior tax dollar educational investment into a sunk cost.

Growth market People with disabilities and marginalized individuals form a huge and growing market that companies cannot afford to ignore. Together with families and other supporters, people with disabilities represent more than half our population, with a buying power that tops $40 billion in Canada.

graphic arts industry. Suggesting tweaks to customer’s print work that make the message more accessible quickly converts to more business, new business and a value-added billable service. Furthermore, insider expertise can be harnessed and applied to the firm’s marketing strategy to make it a value-added service that stands out from the competition.

Providing clients with value-added, accessible services has considerable public relations benefits. It demonstrates commitment to corporate social responsibility and, as a by-product, attracts new and loyal customers.

Businesses that service persons with disabilities quickly become influencers who pull clients to products.

Making the right decision: Community partners Achieving accessibility does not have to be done in isolation.

Provincial associations and non-profit agencies exist that have, as their mission, to assist persons with disabilities. These agencies offer advice and links to resources that assist employers in developing policies and practices that attract people with disabilities to their firms. They promote employers that act in good faith and expose employers that are resistant.

Nick Hadjiyianni, Employment Program Manager with Community Living Toronto was an invaluable resource in understanding the persons with disability labour market. Community Living organizations across Canada provide support for people with an intellectual disability and offer a range of employment support services for employers who embrace the concept of open for business.

Caterina Valentino, PhD, is an Instructor at the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University and the Faculty of Health Disciplines, Athabasca University. She can be reached at caterina.l.valentino@gmail.com.

Moreover, employing persons with disabilities brings insider insights into this market that would otherwise be lost.

This can be especially important in the

GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE | July / August 2020 | 23

Dealing with clients: Facilitating proactive feedback Working with clients is a necessary part of the production process and at times it can also be the most frustrating. We’ve all encountered customers who are vague, indecisive, or don’t listen, making the customer service part of the design process a challenge. Many factors can contribute to poor results, but soliciting and being receptive to feedback is one way to minimize issues.

The following are some strategies to help navigate the minefield that is design critique and build more effective and meaningful relationships between you and your client.

Educate We all have horror stories about clients making truly ridiculous or confusing requests, much of which stems from customers not knowing the geek-speak of the industry or not understanding how to provide meaningful feedback.

So, use your project to educate them

24 | July / August 2020 | GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE

on both relevant terminology and in how to give precise, actionable feedback that will actually improve the design. As the designer, you’re trusted for your expertise, and so exercise patience and listen to their suggestions by being honest, respec t ful, and demonstrating etiquette.

Design brief and continuous review Nothing is more discouraging than completing a project, only to have to change everything afterwards. Creating a clear design brief with the client, where you outline the key details about ... Continued on page 28.

graphicartsmag.com

50% FASTER TO MARKET! DIRECT MAIL SOLUTIONS Are you still guessing how many shells you should print for your Direct Mail Campaign?

How many shells were WASTED on the last run?

Still using laser technology to imprint?

Still taking weeks to go to market?

What is your warehousing cost?

NOT ANYMORE! AIIM HAS THE SOLUTION! Our new technology changes the Direct Mail process to only 2 steps

2

7

AIIM’s 2-Step Direct Mail Process

Litho Print

Trim for Laser Output

Trim to Final Size

Fold

Laser Personalization

& il Ma

Trim

l

Traditional 7-Step Direct Mail Process

vs

Intelligent Insert

l

ou

r&

ze

Co

dP

Fu ll

r i nt

te

ent Inser t, F o ll i g

steps

d

, In

steps

Fu l ly Pe r s on

al

i

These new efficiencies allow us to produce your Direct Mail campaigns up to 50% faster.

Finishing & Mail

The traditional process for Direct Mail requires the above steps and involves 5-6 different machines to complete the job.

WHO’S PRINTING YOUR NEXT DM CAMPAIGN? Enquire on how all Direct Mail products can be integrated and amplified on Social Media

FOR FREE ESTIMATE CONTACT:

directmail@aiim.com

Call: 416.798.7110 or 1.877.841.2446 | www.aiim.com

scan with camera

Brokers Welcome: Fully confidential - Client privilege - Non-disclosure

Why every commercial printer should utilize variable data printing Have you ever done a Canada Post general ‘mail drop’ in your immediate geographical area? What response did you get? Do you have an e-list of current and potential clients and have you done an e-blast to them recently? Do you have a targeted mailing list for printed newsletters? In previous articles, I’ve highlighted the enduring power and better response rates of printed direct mail compared to email-only campaigns, all backed by statistics from Canada Post and other recent research. In all cases, the bottom line (literally) is that the more personalized and more targeted you can get in your communications, the higher your response rates – and ROI – will be.

For example, e-mail newsletters can average click-through rates from .5% up to 1.6%. However, a printed direct mail newsletter can generate a 3% to 5% response rate. To give you another comparison, Mailchimp pegs the average click-through rate for all emails across all industries at 2.62%. Today, print buyers have come to expect a higher level of personalized content during their journey.

And one of the best ways to meet those expectations is by using variable data printing, or VDP. Basically, VDP is a form of digital print production that allows for mass customization. For example, instead of sending 1,000 identical flyers to customers and potential clients, you can use variable data printing to create 1,000 customized flyers in the same amount of time – which substantially raises your response rate.

The important fact to realize is that today’s cutting-edge VDP software and digital printing equipment can cost-efficiently accomplish more than ever before. I’m not talking about simply printing unique address labels.

Customization today can include recipient names, body text, special offers, images and more. If you combine these capabilities with analytics that

26 | July / August 2020 | GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE

reveal customer-engagement trends, then your marketing campaigns will yield even higher response rates.

While response rates for most nonpersonalized direct-mail pieces average ab ou t 2% , p er sonalized pieces (depending on the audience and the degree of personalization), can elicit response rates up to 600% higher!

Why collect customer data if you don’t use it?

In addition to your current mailing lists, do you have individual customer information regarding past buying habits?

Have you documented potential clients’ answers about their specific print-buying needs? Then why aren’t you using this information? VDP doesn’t require each variation to be ordered, printed and shipped separately. Instead, thousands of unique printed pieces that illustrate both your shop’s creativity and professionalism can be produced at ultra-fast mass production rates. VDP utilizes not just software and hardware, but can also include reporting software that analyzes redemption rates and other important metrics. It uses this information to create tailored campaigns with much greater impact and engagement. VDP can also be used to create automated marketing campaigns that are triggered by specific customer actions and/or events – such as special monthly sales discounts or even open houses.

Studies confirm the power of variable-data printing Here are some consumer, marketer and retailer statistics from U.S. studies that back-up the effectiveness of variable data printing.

• 86% of shoppers say personalized marketing positively impacts their likelihood of making a purchase.

experiences were more personalized.

• 67% of shoppers who’ve experienced personalized marketing are highly in favour of personalized offers based on past experiences.

• 73% of consumers prefer to purchase from brands that use personal information to create more relevant shopping experiences.

• 45% of online shoppers are more likely to patronize sites that make personalized suggestions.

• 40% of consumers buy more from retailers who personalize their shopping experience – across all marketing channels.

• 96% of retailers believe personalized content influences what consumers buy.

• Though personalized messages deliver about six times higher transaction rates, only 30% of brands are sending them.

• 60% of marketers say they struggle to personalize content in real time, though 77% believe real-time personalized content is crucial to marketing efforts.

Though VDP statistics can vary slightly depending on your audience, creative approach and degree of personalization, two facts emerge time and time again.

First, printed direct mail always outperforms e-mail. And second, targeted variable data printing always outperforms nonpersonalized mail.

Finally, if you don't have the time or the staff to create an engaging monthly newsletter, especially during this pandemic, we can help.

Please visit the next page.

• 31% of shoppers wish their shopping

graphicartsmag.com

Direct Mail Made Easy!

Simply...

1. DOWNLOAD

2. CUSTOMIZE

3. PRINT!

Are you too busy taking care of your customers’ printed marketing needs that you’re neglecting your own? Make it easier on yourself with monthly, ready-to-print direct mail content made exclusively for Canadian print shops by Graphic Arts Magazine.

Features and Benefits • Fully Customizable and Ready-To-Print • Engaging and Relevant Content Created by a Professional Copywriter • Four Page, Full-Colour Newsletter Format • Allows You to Connect with your Key Customers Every Month Spend more time selling print and less time in production by promoting your products and services with these helpful, engaging, professionally designed, written, and easily customizable direct marketing newsletters.

Call Publisher Joe Mulcahy at 1-877-513-3999 to learn more about this helpful new service, available from Graphic Arts Magazine in 2020.

Dealing with clients: Facilitating proactive feedback ... Continued from page 24 the project is essential. By establishing the purpose of the project, you ensure the design you deliver will solve the problem or meet the goal and you will not overpromise or under-deliver because of lack of project agreement. Also, the design brief will justify the choices made vis-á-vis the criteria laid out as priorities.

Furthermore, asking for critiques at milestones throughout the project helps build a good rapport with the customer and solidifies a variety of details in the early stages. Set times for regular feedback so you can review ideas and get approval. Having good communication keeps your clients in the loop and helps build trust and respect.

process is a collaboration toward arriving at the optimal design.

Listen and ask questions Listening is imperative. Always actively listen to comments to understand what the client is saying. But don’t forget to ask questions. Every time a client asks you to change something on a design, be polite and curious, and ask ‘why’ before committing to changes. You can use your questions to get actionable feedback that goes beyond “I like it” or “I don’t like it.” Their responses may provide you with the real reason why the design doesn’t impress the client, why you may be receiving conflicting explanations, or why they think changes are necessary. Here are a few sample questions to get you started:

Don’t take it personally

• What is memorable about the design?

Whatever the audience’s reaction, it is important to be open to their feedback.

Part of this is not taking opinions personally; do not get defensive. Stay open-minded to ideas before you refuse suggestions. Instead of reacting negatively remember these are improvements that will help you achieve the best result. Even the best designers benefit from critical design feedback to help them get out of their heads, or past their biases. Whether on a large team of designers, or the sole consultant on a client project, this

• At what point did you get “bored” or feel uninterested?

28 | July / August 2020 | GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE

• What features are missing that are absolutely necessary?

• What is unclear or confusing?

• What problem do you think this design solves?

Furthermore, asking questions can help you segue into the justifications for why your option works. It is not about attacking the critique; instead, reframe the explanation of why (and how) that

solution, in particular, was conceived.

Limited options A good strategy to use when getting feedback from clients is of fering them limited choices. Have you heard of the term choice overload? It is a negative psychological, emotional, and behavioural response that comes from having too many options to choose from. If you’re given only a few options you’ll be more capable of deciding which one is best. Use this strategy with your clients by having them choose from a few possibilities; then ask them the reasoning behind their choices to help you gain additional insight.

Wrap up In reality, creativity is about collaboration – a mesh of art and function to achieve a specific purpose or goal, and feedback is one step in the process to help us achieve the ideal design. While everyone is anxious and intimidated when facing feedback, it is an imperative step in improving your design and keeping clients happy.

Olivia Parker, B.Tech, MPC completed her Masters of Professional Communication in 2014 to complement her Bachelor of Technology (2013) from Graphic Communications Management at Ryerson. She presently is the Innovation & Support Specialist at Taylor Printing Group Inc. in Fredericton.

graphicartsmag.com

#1 in #1 QUA in PR LITY ICE

Adver - Flags

MORE NEWS MORE OFTEN

Custom Printing Patent Pending Installation System

Made in Canada 3-4 Day Turnaround

37”

22”

9.5’

11’

GRAND OPENING

44.5”

GRAND OPENING

9.5’

GR OP AND EN ING

6’

GR OP AND EN ING

TRADE PRICING

37.5” 8’

GRAND OPENING

16’

27”

Canamex Promotions 68 Centennial Road Unit 3 Orangeville ON L9W 1P9

1-800-266-6674 canamexpromotions.com canamex.promotions@bellnet.ca

BY 7 AM DAILY at

graphicartsmag.com Get more productivity out of your staff Do you have a creative employee who is always coming up with “outside the box” ideas but when it comes to writing a report, reading copy or spelling they fall short?

This may be a sign of a learning challenge.

The government funds programs for employers who are willing to send their employee for training to improve their skills.

If you would like to hear more about this program call us today at 905-853-3363 Let’s make everyone more productive to enhance your bottom line!

If learning is a problem... we have a solution.

Call 905-853-3363

learningability.org

Licensed and certified Davis facilitator TM

17–17817 Leslie St. Newmarket, ON L3Y 3C8

New Products

Business-expanding digital production press

A faster monochrome press

Konica Minolta’s AccurioJet KM-1e Digital Color B2+ Sheetfed LED UV Inkjet Production Press amplifies the benefits of the OEM’s LED UV inkjet technology to maximize print quality and capabilities on a wider range of media such as plastics, backlit signage, transparent film, foiled paper, metallic media, canvas and synthetic substrates. The press utilizes unique, patented technology to overcome one of the fundamental challenges of inkjet printing – uncontrolled ink-dot movement that reduces print quality and useable media. It ‘self-freezes’ ink drops upon contact with substrates, resulting in superior colour stability and consistency, in addition to prints that dry instantly. It also helps help customers enter more profitable applications. For example, clients working with advertising agencies can offer value-added effects – from printing through to varnishing and sophisticated decorative cutting. The AccurioJet platform is already popular with commercial printers, direct mail firms, online printers, in-plants, publishing and book printing companKonica Minolta AccurioJet KM-1e ies, and other sectors.

Ricoh USA’s new monochrome-only Ricoh Pro VC40000 can produce high-volume monochrome applications much faster than the platform’s maximum performance at original launch, while driving down costs. At speeds of 180 m/min(590 ft./ min.), compared to the Pro VC40000’s original 150 m/min (492 ft./min.), printers can now meet faster turnaround times and deliver increased throughput for B&W applications. Ricoh added that black-only print volumes continue to exceed 300 billion pages annually, with no sign of slowing. However, many black-only, toner-based, continuous-feed systems are approaching end of life, “leaving many print providers looking for what comes next. The monochrome-only Ricoh Pro VC40000 model delivers on the fast turn times and high image quality today’s customers demand while driving down operating costs, service cost and capital acquisition costs compared to full-colour offerings with comparable features.”

The new high-speed model can print up to 2,500 letter images per minute at 600 x 600 dpi resolution.

A low-cost 24” MFP for small businesses Canon USA’s new imagePrograf TA-20 MFP L24ei Printer is aimed at expanding business growth for the entry-level, low-volume customer. The 24” scan-to-copy/file/multifunction printer (MFP) is ideal for small businesses, teachers, architects, engineers and consulting firms, said the OEM. Utilizing SingleSensor Technology, its scanner includes integrated control panels simple, easy operation. The technology provides better colour with more detail in the shadows and highlights than a staggered Contact Image Sensor (CIS) scanner.

The low-cost solution can also scan single documents into a multi-page PDF. Two key standard features include Lucia TD Pigment Ink and PosterArtist Lite that can produce highquality images, posters and office documents. PosterArtist Lite allows users to easily design and print posters, while Lucia TD Pigment Ink can accommodate a wide variety of media – including water resistant media for short-term outdoor signage. It can print a 24” x 36” poster in 27 seconds on plain paper using Fast (Q5) Mode – while its air-feeding system helps the paper to remain level throughout the printing process, thus reducing wrinkles and paper jams.

Canon imagePrograf TA-20 MFP L24ei Printer

30 | July / August 2020 | GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE

The monochrome-only Ricoh Pro VC40000 Press

Koenig & Bauer launches Rapida 106 X The feature-rich, second-generation, highly automated B1 offset press for the packaging and commercial markets – the Rapida 106 X 8-colour sheetfed – was previewed from the OEM’s production headquarters in Würzburg, Germany (www. youtube.com/watch?v=XB2if3Uf9Ac&feature=youtu.be). The video was the final part of the OEM’s daily series (https://www. koenig-bauer.com/en/live/) that reviewed new products that would have been released during drupa 2020. With a maximum speed of 20,000 sph, the 106 X was shown as an 8-unit perfector with coater, and produced eight 300-sheet jobs using 3 different substrates in just 26 minutes! The Rapida 106 line has been “the make-ready world champion” in medium-format since 2008. Just about all new upgrades and improvements were based on customer feedback. Some new features included an MIS System that’s connected to the Koenig & Bauer Logotronic Press Management System, yielding even more make-ready efficiencies. Simultaneous roller-wash technology can accommodate UV and conventional inks that can be changed over in less than two minutes. Operation is made easier via a larger touchscreen, a press-status display panel at delivery, and an app for mobile devices that shows current and next-in-line job info. The new Rapida 106 X also accepts unbent plates, has a new cold-foil module, and much, much more.

Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 X

graphicartsmag.com

We have moved

Printing Company Tel: 416.787.3233, 416.783.8562 Fax: 416.783.9817 Email: info@hecopy.com

CUSTOM LABELS

• Flexo 1 to 6 colours, 150 line process • U.V. varnish, laminating, foil stamping • Numbering front and back • Rolls, sheets, fan folded • Up to 5 years outdoor fade resistance • Rush orders available

DIGITAL PRINTING

• Full colour variable data printing • Consecutive numbering • Bar codes • 72 hour delivery available

TRADE SERVICES

• On time • No cost drop shipments • Ship exact quantities ordered

New Address

65 Torbarrie Road, North York , M3L 1G5

for all your printing needs

ricing titive P Compe nal Service tio ep xc nd E rnarou Fast Tu

OFFSET PRINTING - DIGITAL COPYING COMPLETE BINDERY

Mitsubishi Diamond 3000LS - 6 colour + AQ Komori 28 x 40 - 6 colour + AQ Hewlett Packard Indigo Press 5000 Heidelberg Quickmaster Di - 4 Colour

COMPLETE IN HOUSE DIGITAL & BINDERY SERVICES!

FOR TRADE QUOTES:

T: 1-800-565-2235 or 905-681-7070 F: 1-800-837-8683 or 905-681-7072

quotes@teckmark.com • www.teckmark.com

       

Heidelberg B30 Folders w/2 right angles Polar Programmable Cutters Heidelberg Platen Press Heidelberg Cylinder 22x33 Muller Martini 6 Pocket Stitcher Wiro and Spiral Binding Machines Konica Minolta Bizhub C1060 Xerox 4112 B/W Copier

AM.

TRANSPORT

Specializing in serving the printing industry 24/7, responsive, reliable, economical 5-tons, tandems, power tailgates Services: Direct, Rush, Same Day

Tel: 416-525-5132

Equipment Failure? blowers

List of advertisers

We’ll save you time and money

We service

AGFA 6

PAC 36

AIIM 25

Pinnacle Litho

AM Transport

32

Ricoh 13

BannerQ.ca 32

SinaLite 5

BannersTwoGo 29

Specialties Graphic Finishers

Canamex Promotions

Teckmark 31

29

31

2

DDL 14

XL Prints

31

Delphax 11

Yul Technologies

33

Durabilt Pump

32

H E Printing

31

• compressors • vacuum pumps

Loaner compressors / pumps available 24-hour service Authorized O.E.M. Recommended Lubricants Specialist in Printing Equipment Repair

Kallima 35

DURABILT PUMP SERVICES INC.

TEL: 416-293-9151 • FAX: 416-293-5359

HELPING YOU SELL MORE PRINTING! WEBSITES | MIS | MARKETING

MarketingIdeasForPrinters.com | 800-736-0688

32 | July / August 2020 | GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE

Learning Ability

29

Marketing Ideas For Printers

32

When making submissions, please forward to the following email addresses: ADS ads@graphicartsmag.com NEWS tony@graphicartsmag.com CLASSIFIED classified@graphicartsmag.com ARTICLES articles@graphicartsmag.com INSTALLATIONS tony@graphicartsmag.com SUBSCRIPTIONS circ@graphicartsmag.com

graphicartsmag.com

Classified

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

Imagesetter and Processor with spare imagesetter and processor. Being used presently however converting to CTP. $750.00 ONO. Contact Tony at Print Shop Ltd. (709) 368-2561.

High Water Python 74-BV30-IEC Computerto-Plate Equipment with MIPR512 Computer System; S/N: PY612; Year 2009; Asking $2,500 • Tel.: (855) 729-0029

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Printer’s Parts & Equipment, established 1973, is looking for a results-driven sales representative to actively seek out and engage customer prospects. PP&E has an extensive product line that makes it easy for representatives to perform and maximize revenues. Industry experience, and car is required to visit prospects and customers.

Please apply in confidence to info@printersparts.com.

Printing Company For Sale Established in 1991, this established company is located in Northern BC. It serves its loyal client base by offering both offset and digital services. Business has low overhead and a huge potential for growth. Only reason for sale is due to the death of a part owner. For serious inquiries, please give us a call at 250-261-2469.

Generate qualified leads for your business

FOR SALE Printing Company for Sale This established company is located in North Bay, Ontario.

It serves a loyal client base by offering both 4 colour offset and digital services. Building and equipment included for a reasonable price. Staff would like to continue employment. Business has low overhead and the potential for growth. Reason for sale is owner retirement. Business has been in operation for over 50 years.

For serious inquiries txt : 705–493-1045

We can help!

Call publisher Joe Mulcahy

1-877-513-3999

WANTED URGENTLY FOR EXPORT

KORD, SORDZ, SM-72-V Any model Heidelberg presses or

Any surplus printing machines,

Polar Guillotines & Binding, Finishing Equipment. Top prices paid$$$$$$$$ Any model, immediate decision

E-Mail: gr_trade@hotmail.com

Call- 416 824 0236, 647 835 6224 Fax-905 450 2748

@graphicarts

GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE | July / August 2020 | 33

The impact of COVID-19 on family vacations - and what it could mean for the print, hospitality and travel industries Summer vacation, a time to decompress, recharge, and get away from the 9 – 5, has taken on a whole new meaning in 2020. This summer, we are coping with major concerns surrounding finances and health, and a heightened awareness towards sanitation standards. With summer camps and daycares cancelled, and social bubbles expanding, folks are looking for shorter, closer-to-home excursions and road trips, to infuse some much-needed R & R into their “new-normal”.

The print industry, still reeling from the impacts of quarantine and essential services responsibilities, is in a position to help attract visitors and tourists – and infuse the local economy in the wake of COVID-19 – by focusing on three areas: 1 - Communication Communicating how socially distant you can be from other people, how often everything is cleaned, and what protective measures are in place for staff, will dominate the narrative for anyone inviting tourists and travelers to their city, shops, restaurants and attractions.

“The travel industry has to convince people that it is truly safe to travel,” said Dr. Greg Poland, a professor of medicine and infectious diseases at the Mayo Clinic and director of its vaccine research group. “People will be very cautious in general for some time to come.”

According to Konrad Waliszewski, cofounder and CEO of the travel app TripScout, “Hygiene will be the new buzzword pitched by destinations and travel companies.”

Experts predict that people will be attracted to domestic vacations and that we’ll see “more three- and four-day trips because of finances, work pressures, safety concerns, and changing school

34 | July / August 2020 | GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE

schedules,” hypothesized Dr. Poland.

Low gas prices add to the appeal. Spas, wellness retreats, and places that can help restore mental and physical wellbeing will also be a summer favorite – and provide a welcome, much-needed break from the stress of quarantine.

worth $151.2 billion in 2019 is expected to recover and grow at a CAGR of 8% from 2021 and reach $181.1 billion in 2023. Canadians who remain wary of international travel or choose to support the national economy will have a hand driving growth here.

Feroz Ali, president of Canadian Tourism College, expects more people to go camping this summer or take an RV trip.

They get to take a vacation, and at the same time keep to themselves.

3 - Community

“When you're staying in an RV, you are 100 per cent in complete control of your environment,” said Mike McNaught, founder of RVezy.com. “They're selfcontained. They have their own bathrooms, their own fridges, their own cooking facilities.”

2 - Customer Experience McNaught said an added benefit with renting an RV is that “while a hotel room might have dozens of guests in the summer, an RV is likely to only see a handful.” These “vacations on wheels” are ideal to create immersive, brand and product-placement experiences – from large hotel brands to local shops, restaurants and service providers.

BC19 (Before COVID-19) brands like Netflix, Amazon, Shopify and Nike were using physical stores, merchandise branding and “pop-ups” to provide memorable immersive experiences. These “phygital” approaches enable brands of all sizes to bridge the physical-digital gap and engage customers with memorable experience that transcends platforms, devices and location.

In a CTV interview, Chris Mahony, president of Go RVing Canada, indicated it’s too early to determine how the RV industry is going to shakeout this season, but that interest in their products remains high. The global motor home market,

From interactive travel guides featuring local businesses - to fully branded Hotels on Wheels - the summer of 2020 will challenge companies to come up with new ways to attract and engage business. By joining forces, local printers can unite with the community, produce physical communications and help create these experiences.

The summer of 2020 is an opportunity for print, travel and hospitality businesses to come together, rebuild together and grow together. Look for opportunities to partner services and/or have businesses contribute to the cost of production and mailing to create boxed spa packages, branded robes, local packaged goodies, coupons, interactive print experiences that link to videos, cooking demos, and more. By looking beyond typical lines of business (and typical print applications) and thinking about how we, as humans, are going to react and behave in the wake of COVID-19, combine the power of print and digital communications to bring the community together – and recreate the experience of a much-needed vacation getaway.

Joanne Gore is a B2B marketer who’s passionate about print and has spent the last three decades helping companies maximize their marketing and communications efforts. Founder of Joanne Gore Communications, she helps companies tell their story to a new generation of print and business buyers.

Email: joanne@joannegorecommunications.com Follow her on Twitter: @joannegore121

graphicartsmag.com

Designed to meet your clients’ printing and finishing needs, the only 3-ply paperboard made in North America is the perfect canvas for consistent printability, reliable runnability and vivid visuals. It’s the smart way to save time and money.

Innovative paperboard. Attentive people.

1 800 411-7011

Kallimapaper.com

2021

2021 PAC GLOBAL LEADERSHIP AWARDS Visit www.pac-awards.com for all entry details, dates, and our NEW list of categories.

for n e p o es entri this er summ

CELEBRATING CRAFTSMANSHIP IN GLOBAL PACKAGE BRAND DESIGN AND INNOVATION ON THE GLOBAL STAGE