The green movement has been around for decades, yet today it is less about merely conservation and more about an emphasis on science and research – defined and galvanized by issues like global warming and climate change, wetlands preservation, species extinction and other important environmental concerns.

Adopting and implementing socially responsible practices can actually drive growth and profitability in business while promoting a better tomorrow. And the printing industry is no exception. Making the decision to go green in printed materials can positively affect a company in numerous ways including reducing environmental impact, promoting a brand as environmentally friendly and increasing business reputation.

Businesses across all industries are looking for ways to be more sustainable. Not just in their own business practices, but in the companies they source products from and the vendors they work with. It’s not just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. According to a recent study by Forbes, nearly 90% of Gen X consumers said they would be willing to spend an extra ten percent or more for sustainable products, compared to only 34% of them just two years ago. Customers are asking for it – and it is important to them to have a vendor with these options.

Green printing is an environmentally conscious way of producing printed materials while reducing the carbon footprint that it leaves. Printed products like marketing materials, signage and packaging are a natural place to look for eco-friendlier options. But what makes one printed product “greener” than another? Products printed on recycled paper are usually the first to come to mind; however, there are several other factors to consider when trying to reduce environmental impact. Below, we share five solid and sometimes surprising ways to print greener.

1. Sustainably Sourced
   

   Using sustainably-sourced materials in the manufacturing process means the materials are grown and manufactured in ways that use fewer natural resources, respect nature and people, and ensure the welfare of those resources throughout the supply chain. They provide an opportunity to lessen the environmental impact of daily operations without the added costs of post-consumer materials.

2. Recycled Content
   

   Printing on recycled paper is the most visible and commonly-recognized method used to reduce the environmental impact in printing. Recycled paper can contain pre-consumer (manufacturing) or post-consumer waste (PCW). The paper is typically identified by the percentage of recycled content, and is available in a wide range of weights, colors and finishes.

3. Eco-friendly Manufacturing
   

   The production, conversion and finishing processes used to create printed products provide plenty of opportunities to reduce environmental impact. Print methods in the past used solvent-based cleaners, petroleum-based inks and produced massive amounts of waste. Today, greener production methods have significantly reduced the environmental impact of printing – from eco-friendlier inks and coatings, to reduced energy consumption and waste disposal.

4. Reusable Items
   

   Printed products that are used multiple times can be environmentally friendlier than single-use products. Although some durable products may require more energy or resources to produce initially, each re-use reduces the impact of the single-use product going through the manufacturing process and entering the waste stream. Many of these products can be used hundreds of times before needing replacement.

5. Recyclable & Degradable Materials
   

   The overfilling of landfills has become a major concern for many areas of our country and world, as the amount of trash continues to grow faster than it can decompose. Recycling products printed on substrates such as cardboard, paper, and plastic can cut the size of our landfills in half. Use printable statements to encourage recycling and show your commitment to the environment.

We provide recommendations and links to our top five products in each of the above categories on our Greener Landing Page.

“We don’t have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.” Howard Zinn

In Summary

It is up to each and every one of us to start with the small acts in order to really make a difference. To learn more about Printing Greener, please follow the links to informative and engaging content including the recording from our most recent webinar “Going Greener – Printing Cleaner”, the webinar deck, and our Going Greener – Printing Cleaner booklet that you can easily share with your customers.

How Print Helps Retailers Attract Consumers and the Staff to Take Care of Them

The retail industry has had its share of ups and downs the past couple of years – from product shortages and increased costs, to an unprecedented labor shortage. Retailers have been forced to re-examine their systems and strategies that have been in place for years. Promoting repeat buyers and attracting new customers remains vital, yet retaining employees and bringing on new talent is more challenging than ever before. Today’s landscape is ushering in the need for more stable and more profitable paradigms in order for retail businesses to reset and re-emerge. Despite all the attention given to e-commerce, Forrester forecasts that 72% of retail sales in the U.S. will still take place in brick and mortar stores within the next two years. This presents tremendous amounts of opportunities for print sales in the areas of customer engagement and loyalty, talent recruitment and employee retention, as well as preparing for the holiday shopping seasons.

What are the major priorities?

The industry’s main concerns lead to a plethora of print solutions including how the labor shortage has forced many stores, especially smaller retailers, to close their doors or adjust the hours they’re open. Window decals and postcards are just a couple of ways to update and inform customers, and help manage expectations.

Consumers are expecting some of the newfound conveniences that emerged during the pandemic to remain — such as buying online and picking up in store (BOPUS), curbside pickup, and same day delivery — and retailers are determined to meet those expectations. Directional signage, direct mail campaigns and sandwich boards convey pertinent details consumers are looking for.

Boosting customer loyalty is more important than ever, especially as retailers deal with supply chain issues and product shortages. Amplifying brand awareness and communicating boldly with wall signs, table tents and floor decals draws consumer attention, and promotional giveaways like magnets keep brands top of mind.

Retaining valuable employees and recruiting new talent takes gestures of appreciation through branded gifts including apparel, drinkware, bags and totes. Retailers can drive efficiency with in-store essentials like pens, pre-inked stamps or daters, and full color or engraved name or ID badges that stylishly identify staff while reinforcing the brand.

What are the best sellers?

Some of the top products retailers are relying on this year include:

• Signage – interior and exterior signage draws attention, attracts customers, provides information and reinforces brand.
• Direct Mail – postcards are used heavily for retail promotions as well as for recruiting employees.
• Promotional Products – branded items are popular for promoting a brand and showing appreciation to hard-working employees.
• Marketing Materials – rack cards, sales sheets and booklets make great bag-stuffers.
• Brand Identity – business cards can do double-duty as loyalty cards, punch cards, coupons and thank-you cards.
• Packaging – shelf disrupting designs and functional packages support the intended brand message and attract attention while keeping products safe and improving customer experience.

Ho-ho-holiday promotions

Insider Intelligence and emarketer.com report that 2022 holiday retail sales are expected to increase 3.3% this year to $1.262 trillion dollars. We can also expect an earlier holiday shopping season this year as savvy customers scope out the best prices and get first dibs on the largest range of selections. Holiday catalogs, booklets and mini-catalogs are making a big comeback as retailers make every effort to get their products and promotions in front of consumers that are battling digital fatigue. You can also help retailers decorate and prepare for the holidays with examples and ideas to get shoppers in the holiday spirit with items like retractable banner stands and synthetic posters, as well as help them navigate the crowds with seasonal floor and wall decals. Gift cards and gift card holders are perfect for gift giving, and themed gift wrap, stickers and hang tags add value and put the finishing touch on holiday purchases.

Resources to help you grow your sales

Retail has long been an industry that buys a lot of print products, and the current landscape continues to produce ample opportunities for sales. We are here to help you grow your sales in this prolific market. Our retail industry dollop and retail flyer are loaded with information to help you formulate ideas and catapult your sales.

One of the world’s largest industries in terms of spending, the construction industry is valued at $1.36 trillion and contributes 4.2% to the country’s GDP. The construction industry is set for a boost in demand and has posted growth despite fragile supply chains and rising material costs. Forecast to grow by another 8.8% this year, and because construction businesses spend on average 13% of their budget on marketing, it is worth considering how branded print plays a role in this prosperous industry’s growth.

Print supports a stronger bottom line

Construction is a competitive industry. With the price of goods increasing, construction companies need to consider brand building strategies, rise above the competition, and look long and hard at areas that can be optimized to drive a better bottom line. Communicating early and often with both suppliers and customers will give them an edge as they face these competitive challenges. Because construction is a high-touch customer service business, the industry presents great opportunities for sales for distributors.

Print does more than just build brand identity

Not only are print materials required in order to build brand identity and communicate effectively with customers, they are also instrumental in meeting safety regulations, optimizing operations, creating awareness and generating leads. No other medium has as far-reaching an impact as print in informing and instructing. When opportunities arise to communicate specific developments or promote niche capabilities, print rises to the occasion. For example, the increased demand for green construction, smart building, structure rehabilitation and advanced building materials is influencing the industry and expected to continue shaping it in the years to come. Changing perception in the marketplace takes effective brand messaging and print is the work horse that solid marketing strategies are built upon.

Be more strategic with the right print partner

There are ways to get the most out of print whether meeting safety signage requirements or achieving cohesiveness in branding amongst a range of products and applications. Utilizing the medium to accomplish a uniform look while creating a professional aesthetic requires a print partner that understands safety signage requirements, has a wide breadth of solutions and is fully integrated to support the full range of product needs.

Who’s buying?

Construction businesses that order print include:

• Small construction contractors
• Larger project management companies
• Residential construction companies
• Remodelers
• General contractors

What are they buying?

Signage built to turn heads and build awareness, labels, decals and posters that capture attention, and brand-building communication tools like folders, direct mail and promotional products provide the exposure construction companies rely on. Employee incentives boost loyalty and help remedy a declining workforce. Business forms, regulation materials such as compliance, safety and warning labels and branded leave behinds like flyers, door hangers and rack cards are crucial for safe operations and getting information in front of the masses.

In a nutshell

Like many industries today, construction companies want and need to maximize their marketing dollars. They consider print essential to their marketing efforts and see the value of putting physical materials into the hands of their customers and prospects. Because it is the most tactile way to communicate what their brand represents, taking the time to devise a smart strategy pays off in better use of resources and stronger results. Quality print helps construction companies compete, influence their brand’s perception in the marketplace, and meet safety regulations and compliance in communications.

For a more detailed look at products the construction industry is buying and how they impact business operations and branding, check out our construction flyer designed for your reference as well as for you to share with your customers and prospects in the industry.

Farming for new sales opportunities? Ag is your answer. Here are five reasons why:

1. IT’S A GROWING (AND OFTEN OVERLOOKED) MARKET

Forecasted to bump spend and continue to grow, agribusiness companies are worthy of a spot in your pipeline. However, selling to a new vertical market is no easy feat. It takes time, resources and some dedication. This investment pays off as you go from zero to sales in a new segment. There are certain steps to take in order to penetrate a new industry. The first step is to understand the market. This is why we’re sharing some seeds with you about an industry worth a look. The following predominant circumstances are setting the pace for today’s ag landscape:

• Consumers continue to show a growing preference for adopting healthier lifestyles
• The world continues to face the challenge of feeding an ever-increasing population while battling the climate crisis
• Labor shortages and supply chain disruption put pressure on increasing demand

2. IT’S GETTING A SEXY MAKEOVER

Ag has evolved beyond dirty, back-breaking physical work. There is a real and exciting story of agriculture (and agritech) that is developing that includes automation, computers, drones, good salaries and lifestyles, and ample opportunities. From robotics to waste reduction and from driverless tractors to sustainability, agribusiness is evolving into one pretty sexy industry.

The role that robotics will play in agricultural supply chains has risen to center stage and is one to keep an eye on as a developing agribusiness trend. In the same vein as robotics, the use of IoT technology promises to help make agriculture and agriculture supply chains more efficient and, in turn, more sustainable.

3. THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT (AND SUPER TECHY)

Self-driving vehicles are coming to the farm as John Deere^® plans to roll out driverless tractors. The world’s largest farm equipment manufacturer marks a milestone for automation by using the advancements in driverless tech and outpacing the consumer driving options.

Innovations like See & Spray™ technology use high-resolution cameras to capture 20 images per second, and with the aid of artificial intelligence, the system uses those images to recognize the difference between cultivated plants and weeds. This agritech advancement allows individual plants to be specifically treated. With this new generation of weed control, the use of pesticides can be greatly reduced.

The future vision of a farm implement’s cab reveals new possibilities for further use of artificial intelligence in ag. With its joystick control, touchscreen display and networking of all machine components, it’s a completely new operating concept. By integrating real-time weather data, individual pre-settings and job management procedures, the cab becomes the command center for agricultural operations.

4. THIS MARKET BRINGS MORE SALES FOR YOU

Now that we have shared a few of the reasons why agribusiness is not only forecasting growth, but shaping up to be an attractive career path, you can see why it deserves a spot in your pipeline. Let’s take a closer look at some of the industry’s top priorities and how print plays a critical role in the sector’s success:

Priority: Enhancing Operations
Regardless of which sector an agriculture business falls — whether growing the commodities or benefiting from the growers through purchase, distribution or sales — navigating labor shortages, supply chain disruptions and fluctuations in demand requires re-examining priorities, establishing clear channels of communication, capitalizing on brand exposure opportunities and maximizing efficiencies in operations. It takes a plethora of print products to achieve industry compliance, educate and inform, and simplify communications.

Priority: Talent Acquisition and Retention
The lack of available talent and resources dares businesses in the agriculture vertical market to go bold in their recruitment efforts. Attractive job prospects are abundant and this profusion is making the industry start to appeal to the next generation. At the same time, one of the top issues threatening an ag business’ ability to grow is talent shortage. Businesses are turning to savvy direct marketing tactics and print to recruit and retain talent, execute education programs and offer workforce training courses.

Priority: Growing Brand Visibility
Today’s consumers want information, choices and convenience, and businesses across the ag industry consistently strive to meet those needs. Additionally, the industry is moving toward more ‘coalition building’ across companies and nonprofits to promote food and ag in general. Campaigns and messaging that convey differing perspectives and practices, like traditional versus organic farming, first-time farmers versus older generations, and growing crops for fuel take concise and targeted communications.

There are so many sectors in this vertical, including seed or chemical suppliers, businesses that sell to retailers and grocers, and businesses in consumer packaging and sales. Direct mail is essential for ad campaigns. Signage is needed for anything employee-facing through consumer-facing. Packaging and label solutions showcase and help sell the products. Promotional products cover giveaways, incentives, awards, loyalty programs and more. Apparel is also key for brand-promoting on wearables for all sectors from family farms to consumer packaging brands. We share details on the print product solutions for all of the priorities listed above in our Marketing Field Guide to Agribusiness.

5. WE HAVE AG RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GROW YOUR SALES

When considering industries that buy a lot of print products, how often has the agriculture vertical market hit your radar? Who knew the market had as many far-reaching sectors as it has and that they need so much stuff? We did. If you’re not working with ag, you’re missing a truckload of business.

Are you ready to cultivate new business in this often overlooked market? Whether enhancing operations, recruiting talent or growing brand visibility, agribusiness is a hot market ripe for print sales. Find out more about growing sustainable revenue in an industry that is one of print’s hidden nuggets. Our Marketing Field Guide to Agribusiness is loaded with information to help you jump start selling to this worthwhile industry. Additionally, our free training webinars are another great opportunity to discover new markets to sell to. In our latest workshop, “Agribusiness – Cultivating New Business in an Overlooked Market” on June 22 at 10 a.m. CST, OR: replayable here, we show you how to grow sustainable revenue in one of print’s undiscovered industries.