Al Kennickell

Choosing a print partner isn’t about ink, it’s about finding someone you trust. As a Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (DVOB) with experience on both the press and client side, here are 5 important things to consider: • Collaborative mindset – Works closely with your team to bring projects to life. • Quality – Consistent colors, sharp print, durable materials. • Speed & flexibility – Adaptable to deadlines and project scale. • Problem-solving – Identifies challenges early and offers solutions. • Trust & confidentiality – Handles sensitive information responsibly. #PharmaceuticalMarketing #DVOB #TrustedPartners #PrintSolutions Custom Marketing Solutions LLC (Veteran Owned: DVOB)

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The latest PIPI Report is out, 'Beyond the Press'. Some interesting new findings from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) on the prevalence and performance of complementary services offered by U.S. print companies. Thanks to Dr. Ralph Williams and his team for another insightful edition of Printing Industry Performance & Insights! This report is free to all The Printing Industry of the Carolinas (PICA) members.

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📈 Industry Insights for 2025 A huge thank you to Ford Bowers, CEO of PRINTING United Alliance, for this incredibly useful and insightful article. Ford provides a sharp overview of key U.S. print industry trends for 2025 and shares valuable advice on how print-service providers (PSPs) can navigate uncertainty and stay competitive. A must-read for anyone looking to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market. 👉 https://lnkd.in/e6EJgXW8 #PrintingIndustry #PrintServiceProviders #IndustryTrends #PRINTINGUnited #FordBowers #SPW #PrintInnovation #BusinessStrategy

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📢 NEWS: PRINTING United Alliance is driving print industry education forward with a fresh lineup of iLEARNING+ courses designed to help professionals grow, adapt, and lead in today’s ever-evolving marketplace! From color management to sales strategies, print 101, print production, and leadership development, these on-demand and certification programs are built by the industry, for the industry. “As the printing industry faces ongoing economic and technological shifts, the Alliance continues to lead in workforce development—providing meaningful, accessible education that empowers both individuals and companies to stay competitive,” says Joseph Marin, SVP, Member Services, PRINTING United Alliance. “The Alliance’s iLEARNING+ platform remains a cornerstone of this mission, helping to upskill the workforce and attract the next generation of talent to the field.” 🔗 Read the full press release here to learn more about the newest course and certification offerings: https://lnkd.in/eastW6ks #Printing #PRINTINGUnited #iLEARNINGPlus #PrintingEducation #WorkforceDevelopment #PrintCareers #PrintingIndustry #ContinuousLearning #ProfessionalDevelopment #PrintTraining #Certification

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5 Print Marketing Ideas for a Strong Holiday Kickoff October is the sweet spot for holiday marketing. Start now, and you’ll reach customers before the season gets crowded and be able to take advantage of longer lead times for design and mailing. And here’s something to keep in mind: direct mail averages a 4.4% response rate compared to just 0.6% for email, and 72% of consumers prefer promotional mail over digital messages. Nearly eight in ten say they find print more trustworthy than online ads. In other words, this is the moment to let print work hard for you. 1. Send Postcards Before the Rush Postcards are one of the simplest, most effective ways to launch your holiday promotions. They work well for early-bird sales, event invitations, or just planting a reminder about your brand before the season takes off. Tip: Don’t stop at one. A short series of postcards (say one in October, another in early November, and a final reminder before Black Friday or Giving Tuesday) keeps your message in front of people and builds anticipation. Include a QR code or coupon code for easy tracking. 2. Freshen Up Your Signage Shoppers notice businesses that look ready for the season. Updating your signage now sets the mood for holiday shopping and signals to customers that you’re prepared. Window posters, banners, and even directional signs inside your store can create excitement and guide buyers toward specials. Tip: Think of signage as your silent salesperson. Use bold colors, clear offers, and simple calls to action so customers can “get it” at a glance. 3. Give Packaging a Seasonal Twist Nothing says “holiday-ready” like packaging that feels festive. Even small touches (custom labels, printed hang tags, or branded tissue paper) can turn everyday purchases into ready-to-gift items. Customers love products that feel special without extra effort on their part. Tip: Stock up early. Printers like us and suppliers get busy as the holidays approach, and popular stocks and finishes can run low. Ordering seasonal packaging pieces in October helps you avoid supply shortages. 4. Share Something Useful Practical giveaways like branded calendars and notepads are gifts customers keep all year. Hand them out in October to show appreciation while keeping your name visible on desks and walls long after the holidays. Tip: Make them work harder by adding seasonal coupons or monthly specials directly on the pages. It’s a built-in reason for customers to keep coming back. 5. Put It All Together in a Guide If you’ve got a variety of products or services, a printed holiday guide can help customers see everything in one place. Whether it’s a folded brochure, a flyer, or a small catalog, guides simplify decision-making for busy shoppers and encourage bigger purchases. Tip: Include limited-time offers or holiday bundles to create urgency Want help getting your holiday campaign off the ground? Contact us today to start your holiday printing projects.

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Reason number eight you need a printer with high-speed inkjet. 8.   Enhanced Response Rates - Studies consistently show that personalized print materials generated through high-speed inkjet achieve significantly higher response rates than generic mailings. You can do this with a digital toner press but if your mailing list is large that can be very expensive. High-speed inkjet makes this very affordable.

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5 Blind Spots That Hold Back Print Business Owners Even the most experienced print leaders sometimes miss what's right in front of them. Here are 5 common blind spots we see across the industry. Dscoop members help each other clear these blind spots. Our #community shares insights, tools, and authentic experiences to help you see and seize new opportunities. ⚠️ Underestimating Change Believing "what worked before will work again" slows innovation and growth. 💡 Dscoop Inspiration: Watch Cees Schouten on Leading Koninklijke Geostick B.V. Through Innovation and Growth https://lnkd.in/erPjHWVu ⚠️ Neglecting Data Decisions based on gut feel alone often miss clear patterns in customer behaviour and production efficiency. 💡 Dscoop Inspiration: Listen to data analyst Carlos Alberto Lembono how Data Drives Decisions at PT Supernova Flexible Packaging in Indonesia https://lnkd.in/eEC75w5b ⚠️ Weak storytelling Many printers sell print, not purpose. Strong stories connect emotionally and build lasting clients. 💡 Dscoop Inspiration: This Roundtable shows how smart storytelling, modern print, and mindful tech create real, lasting connections. Chloe Jones Monadnock Paper Mills, Jim Benedict ENPOINTE, Betsy Davis Sandy Alexander, David Murphy Nvent Marketing https://lnkd.in/e6q-QyTj ⚠️ Isolated thinking Working in a bubble limits creativity. Collaboration across markets sparks real breakthroughs. 💡 Dscoop Inspiration: James Nilles runs etikett.de like a startup: collaborative, specialized, and sustainable. https://lnkd.in/ew5UJMcT ⚠️ Ignoring the next generation Future talent needs to see print as exciting and impactful, not outdated. 💡 Dscoop Inspiration: Students see print as alive with design, tech, and creativity; a hands-on, sustainable way to make real impact. Anna Frias, Emalyn Nelson, Isabella Amian, Tiffany McClellan, Aeryn Leyba, Ava Gionis, Michael Ferrari https://lnkd.in/eWYAyq_A 👉 Join the community inspiring each other to innovate print, together: https://www.dscoop.com/

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Direct mail continues to be one of the most effective acquisition channels for financial brands. In Part 1 of our new three-part series, we take a close look at volume trends and competitive signals shaping today’s mailbox — and what they mean for marketers navigating an increasingly complex landscape. Proud of the work our team at American Litho continues to do to support secure, scalable, data-driven marketing. READ PART 1: https://lnkd.in/g_zpCnEi #ALitho #AmericanLitho #DirectMail #FinancialServicesMarketing #CustomerAcquisition #DataDrivenMarketing 

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When print vendor decisions are based only on cost, brand consistency quietly erodes. Color shifts. Material quality drops. Errors go unchecked. And over time, perception changes. The real question isn’t “What’s the cheapest option?” It’s “What protects the brand while optimizing spend?” If your print partner isn’t explaining what impacts consistency, you’re likely paying more than you realize. Watch the full video for the print perspective every brand team should know. #BrandConsistency #PrintMatters #BrandPerception #MarketingStrategy #BrandManagers #Procurement #PackagingDesign #ColorAccuracy #PremiumBrands #BrandProtection

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The 2026 Mail Growth Incentive from the United States Postal Service is now open for registration. If you’re planning to increase your First-Class Mail or Marketing Mail volume this year, you may qualify for up to 30% in postage credits on incremental mailings. For organizations planning larger direct mail campaigns in 2026, this can translate into significant postage savings. If direct mail is part of your marketing strategy this year, it’s worth taking a closer look. #USPS #DirectMail #MarketingStrategy #PostalService #MarketingROI

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