Graphic Media Alliance announces Chuck Gherman as recipient of the Franklinton Award

March 15, 2023  — Printing Arts Press powered by PROforma is proud to announce Chuck Gherman, General Manager & President as the recipient of the Franklinton Award from the Graphic Media Alliance during Print Week . He has been active in the Graphic Media Alliance for many years including serving as the Chairman of the Board. The Print Week traditions not only include celebrating Print Excellence Award winners, but honoring individuals and companies who have greatly impacted the industry.

In the early 1970’s, the Printing Industry of Central Ohio and the Columbus Club of Printing House Craftsmen came together and created the Franklinton Award. The first was awarded in 1974 and has continued each year to be presented to individuals or groups who have made outstanding public contributions to the central Ohio community. This award, the highest recognition made by the Central Ohio graphic arts industry, honors Benjamin Franklin, the patron saint of the printing industry, who dedicated his life to the betterment of his community and country. 

In 2008, Graphic Media Alliance began presenting this prestigious award to a member of the industry who had made significant contributions to our central Ohio graphic arts community. Congratulations to our own Chuck Gherman as the recipient of the 2023 Franklinton Award from GMA President Andrew Schall during Print Week .The GMA Membership of printing companies in Northern Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan along with the next generation of 30 students with three educators were in attendance at Print Week on March 9 was truly remarkable. The GMA works specifically with the graphic communications area of the Skills USA competition with the students of Eastland Career Center taking home the Peoples Choice Award. In addition, the Printing Industries Education Funds (PIEF) has provided valuable scholarships to College students in Ohio and Northern Kentucky since 1981. Special thanks to the GMA amazing team, Judy Kellum, Ashley Snyder, Karen M. Robinson, Grant Hosler, and Kelley Grooms.

Printing has always been a progressive industry counted on as essential workers from  CISA.gov while continuing to expand from educating students with books, promoting business with marketing materials and banners, packaging with Wheaties boxes, providing labels for prescriptions, entertaining with magazines or books, and informs with newspapers and so much more all the while supporting our environment through recycling and reforestation.

 

About Graphic Media Alliance — Graphic Media Alliance is an affiliate partner with over 20 Printing Industry Associations across the country. Graphic Media Alliance serves commercial printing companies and suppliers to the industry in its service area of Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Michigan. For additional information on Graphic Media Alliance, please contact  GraphicMedia.org     

 

About Printing Arts Press powered by PROforma — For over 78 years with more than 85 Print Excellence Awards from creative design to print marketing, publishing, mailing services and promotional merchandise we’re able to meet our Central Ohio clients’ needs with easy online ordering. Founding Stockholders include Dr. Warren G. Harding (nephew of President Warren G. Harding) of the current OSU Harding Hospital, and John Vogt of the current Norfolk Southern Railway. For more company history or general information please visit our website at PrintingArtsPress.com and at LinkedIn.

 

 

 

 

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Paper Shortage: What You Need to Know

Paper is a critical resource and an essential part of our daily lives.

If you didn't know, a paper shortage started last year and will likely continue in the coming year. In times of uncertainty, it helps to have all the information, so let's talk about it! 

 

Understanding and Planning for the Paper Shortage

The Paper Shortage Issue

In recent years, a few North American paper mills closed their doors as aging infrastructure and rising labor costs, combined with strict environmental regulations, made it increasingly difficult to keep up with the competition.
 
Many mills have switched from paper production to packaging to replace this lost capacity. This shift to a focus on packaging resulted in nearly 20% less paper production from 2019's supply. Many companies are stockpiling more paper in anticipation of a continued shortage expected in the coming year.

In the past few years, we also experienced a pandemic-induced shortfall in supply. This has led to reliance on overseas sources, which comes with its own set of obstacles. Recently, there have not been enough containers or ships to transfer materials made and acquired by US markets in the Pacific. 

The shortage has highlighted the need for increased global collaboration to ensure that international trade and supply chains are as resilient as possible.

Paper Shortage Implications

We will do everything we can to keep you on time and budget throughout the shortage.

But we do want to acknowledge that it is possible, at some point, you could experience an increase in price as we, too, are experiencing an overall marginal rise in prices across the industry.

It is also possible that some print materials, such as specialty paper stock, will be harder to obtain. So, if you have a particular project in mind that requires a specialty paper, the sooner you can let us know, the more time we have to obtain the materials.

If you are working on a project with a tight timeline, we will happily offer you suggestions based on what we already have in stock to speed up the process. 

Paper Shortage Solutions

These excellent opportunities can help you stay on track with your business objectives during this time of paper shortage:

• Proactive planning with lead times
• Maintaining an open line of communication throughout the entire printing process
• Considering sustainable sources of paper, such as recycled paper and alternative materials

And here's what we are doing as a business and an industry: 

• Advocating for increased reforestation efforts to help replenish the world's forests
• Staying informed about changes in the supply chain that could impact our business operations
• Monitoring pricing trends to anticipate potential cost increases due to shortages and advise you in the process

While this is a real challenge, it doesn't mean that print materials have lost their place in marketing and advertising strategies!

In fact, with many businesses relying on digital media, a well-designed printed item can stand out from the crowd and make a big impression.
 
Print advertising has never been more valuable than it is today!

Whatever your print needs, we've got you covered. Contact our team today to get started on your next print project. 

To contact Chuck Gherman, Theresa Kauser or Veronica Carter for more information about how Printing Arts Press powered by PROforma can help organizations with their Marketing and Human Resource needs through promotion and print communications please visit www.printingartspress.com.

#Print #Directmail #Marketing #Mail #Banners #Publications #Postcards #PromotionalMerchandise #BrandedApparel #Catalogs #HRmanuals

How to Do a Direct Mail Marketing Campaign on a Budget

 

Even with a tight budget, you can still run a direct mail marketing campaign with a great return on investment (ROI).

If you focus your campaign, design the mail well, and perfect your mailing list, investing in direct mail can be a wise choice for your company's budget.

Here are five steps to ensure your direct mail is effective while sticking to an affordable budget. 

 

Step 1: Choose the right product or promotion to market

It's best to start crafting your marketing campaign with a specific goal.

Your company can use direct mail marketing for advertising a new product, a popular service, or even an update or improvement that you've made. 

Promoting something specific that will interest most of the public is wisest. Considering this will help your marketing dollars further increase the likelihood of people taking action after seeing your print marketing materials. 

 

Step 2: Refine your target audience

80% of consumers are more likely to purchase after seeing an advertisement that they feel is relevant.

Thus, advertising to only a specific subgroup of potential customers can help keep your direct marketing budget low while getting you the best possible ROI. 

Understand the demographic of most of your customers so that you can seek out and target more prospective customers with your direct mail marketing. 

 

Step 3: Use mailing promotions to keep costs down

Direct mail postage doesn't have to drain your company's budget!

Make sure to research different options available to you since your mail is part of a marketing campaign.

Multiple mailing services like USPS offer discounts for companies sending out ads in bulk. Take advantage of these deals; they could help you save up to 4% of your company's direct mail cost. 

 

Step 4: Create a straightforward message

If you want your company's direct mail marketing to be effective and cost-efficient, it needs to elicit a response from the consumer. 

The best way to do this is to include a clear call to action (CTA) within your ads. Time-sensitive offers and coupons are a great way to hook prospective customers. Make sure to include contact details so the customer can connect immediately.

Your CTA could be anything- asking the customer to send a reply, use a coupon, buy a product, or visit a website. As long as it's simple and engaging, it has a bigger chance of increasing your ROI. 

 

Step 5: Track your responses.

If you're spending your company's budget on a direct mail campaign, you want to see what works and what you could do differently next time to improve results.

Include a unique QR code or personalized URL on your print ads that will send customers to a designated webpage and allow you to track responses. Then look at the sales made and the number of coupons used to adjust your campaign so that your money is only being spent on the most effective ads. 

Contact us today to help you craft the perfect message, design the most compelling visuals, and make the most of your print marketing dollars! 

To contact Chuck Gherman, Theresa Kauser or Veronica Carter for more information about how Printing Arts Press powered by PROforma can help organizations with their Marketing and Human Resource needs through promotion and print communications please visit www.printingartspress.com.


#Print #Directmail #Marketing #Mail #Banners #Publications #Postcards #PromotionalMerchandise #BrandedApparel #Catalogs #HRmanuals