More Than a Printer Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Marketing, content, & technology to help printers sell more printing

“Coming together is a beginning; Keeping together is progress; Working together is success.” – Henry Ford Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company, was a visionary on innovation whose love for learning and perseverance profoundly shaped the 20th century. Ford, and innovators like him, have the self-confidence, vision, and leadership abilities to see things differently, and the courage to change them. Innovators give themselves permission to think out-of-the-box, and they let their ideas percolate into fruition. So, ask yourself: Are printers innovators? Are you an innovator? Mike Jensen, President and Owner of Tri M Graphics in Owatonna, Minnesota, believes that innovation can not only help printers stand out, but it helps their print buyers as well. In fact, the foundational mission of Tri M Graphics is “Building Relationships through Innovation and Integrity.” But let’s back up a little. Introducing Tri M Graphics Centrally located in southern Minnesota, Tri M Graphics has a rich history. Like many family-owned printing companies, the beginnings of Tri M Graphics started as a garage hobby and quickly escalated into a future-changing family career. “My dad, Jon, was actually a sider before starting his printing company,” explains Mike. “In 1985, while hanging some siding on a

There’s a quote by Zimbabwean-born and Canadian-based philosopher Matshona Dhilwayo that goes like this: “The ordinary think inside of the box, the extraordinary think outside of the box, but the genius thinks inside, outside, below and above the box.” Dick Olenych, owner of Spectrum Printing (Home of the Happy Printers) in Virginia Beach, Virginia, uses this genius-described way of thinking to position his print (and other) businesses differently from anyone else’s. Dick’s interesting perspective and approach to the world of business are worth exploring for yourself and your print business. Introducing Spectrum Printing: A Marketing Foundation While many small- to mid-size printers found their start in the world of print through the family or production side of entrepreneurship, Dick had a different beginning. Dick spent 25 years in the unique dynamics of corporate America running national programs. In 2005, Dick decided to go into print, seeing the print industry as a customer-focused industry that suited his mentality and an ever-changing space due to technology. “Little did I know that owning a small business could be so difficult,” says Dick. “I came into print through a sales and marketing background, which I believe makes it easier for me to position for success.

What is the one thing every print owner needs to be successful? Is it sales, prestige, rockstar employees? How would you answer that question? Author and speaker Brian Basilico would tell you that the one thing you need is relationships. Or, as he says it, “Relationships are the currency of business.” But have you ever thought about what exactly it means to build and focus on relationships as a business owner? And how to create and develop relationships that ultimately turn into sales for your print business? Ralph Irwin, Owner of Irwin Printing in Republic, Missouri, has this growing-through-relationships concept figured out in a way that might surprise you in its simplicity. But, before we dive into that, let’s meet Ralph and Irwin Printing. Introducing Irwin Printing: Building on a Legacy Founded in 1974 by Ralph’s father, Irwin Printing is built on a solid legacy of dedication and passion for helping customers and their businesses thrive. “It all started with my dad,” says Ralph. “He was incredibly hardworking. Some of my earliest memories are of sleeping on the shop floor or not seeing my dad because he’d work late or get up early to make sure he got everything done.” “I

There are two words synonymous with Brandywine Printing: community and family. But those aren’t the only words you could use to describe this family-owned, all-digital printing firm nestled south of the Chattahoochee National Forest and northeast of Atlanta, Georgia. Words such as growth, innovation, and networking could also easily roll off your tongue to highlight the legacy of this unique small business. Introducing Brandywine Printing: All in the Family Derek Brooks, the owner of Brandywine Printing, grew up in the printing industry helping his dad fulfill print orders out of their basement. “My dad was a service tech for ABDick,” says Derek. “One day, he brought an old ABDick printing press home and refurbished it. He restored that press like a classic car taking out each and every piece. When he finished it and the person who was supposed to buy the press didn’t, Dad decided to try his hand at printing something. He started printing overflow jobs from his ABDick customers, then started working with brokers. Before we knew it, we had three presses in our basement, and I was 10 years old helping my dad.” As it turns out, Derek’s dad, Derrell, excelled at printing, and the family business

Anyone who has ever said that printing can’t be fun has never met print owner Dennis Trump and his trusty sidekick, Manager and Marketing Director, Mikayla Lehman of Trump Direct in Decatur, Illinois. With their infectious energy and positive attitudes, these two seem to possess something that is so often hard to find: JOY. Through tumultuous and unforeseen challenges to sought-after uphill victories, the team at Trump Direct has taken a decidedly “human” approach to their audience… and it’s working! “There came a point during the start of the pandemic where we literally had to ask ourselves, ‘Do we want to give up or do we keep pushing forward?’” says Mikayla. “We just didn’t have it in us to give up. I coach high school basketball on the side, and many here at Trump Direct have been involved in sports at some point in their lives as well. We teach our players to push on despite circumstances, and we all knew we had to do the same. So, we made a decision — we decided we could still make it the best year ever and got to work.” But let’s back up a little. Introducing Trump Printing: Collaborating for the Future

For the past few months, we’ve been featuring printing companies that are stand-out marketers as part of our Marketing Ideas For Printers’ Print Marketing Expert of the Month series. But have you ever stopped to think what exactly it takes to be called a stand-out marketer? A lot of companies make the mistake of thinking that stand-out marketers are those that have the greatest success, are all-wise in the ways of marketing, and have never failed. But the truth is, there are several things that can earn you the badge of “Stand-Out Marketer.” Here are a few to consider. Stand-Out Marketers Do These 5 Things 1. They put the print buyer first. To be exceptional at marketing, stand-out marketers take a backseat to the needs of their customers and prospects. Instead of their sales and marketing materials being filled with stories about themselves, the marketing experts cast their customers or prospects in the starring role of hero. In fact, the only time these kings of marketing describe their company is in the context of how a client used them, or could use them, to win. The best marketers are the guides, the coaches that focus on setting up their customers for success and cheering

An extraordinary print business is one that will consistently do the things that ordinary printing companies either can’t or won’t do. But what exactly does it take to launch a business from the ordinary into the extraordinary? The COVID-19 pandemic forced many in the printing industry to come face-to-face with a line in the sand. Do print owners stay on the ordinary side of the line and continue to do things as they always have been? Or do those print owners use the pandemic as the impetus that catapults them to the new extraordinary side of the line? It’s a tough question. After all, the ordinary is known, expected, safe. While making the leap into the new and unfamiliar can be full of risk, feel a little wobbly, and downright scary. But, as I’ve heard myself say over and over again in recent months, “Change is scary. Staying the same is scarier.” “Change is scary. Staying the same is scarier.” – Dave Hultin, President, Marketing Ideas For Printers One such business that recently took these words to heart and made the leap to extraordinary is PaperGraphics Printing in Temple, Texas, with their launch of an innovative marketing-based solution called PaperGraphics+. But, first, a little history. Introducing PaperGraphics Printing: From Good to Great  PaperGraphics Printing has been serving the community of Temple, Texas, since 1972. Founded by Elwood Smith, PaperGraphics made its debut as Speedy Print, becoming the

Innovation isn’t easy. In fact, it’s typically accompanied by some pretty heavy fear. That’s why innovation tends to be put off until “the busy season is over,” “we’re back on our feet,” or “things return to normal after COVID.” Sound a little too familiar? Sure, your knees might wobble when you think about stepping out of your comfort zone, but that idea you have floating around in your head… the world needs to hear it! It doesn’t benefit anyone (including you) if it remains stuck inside your head. “As part of being innovative, you have to be willing to fail. It’s not always easy. The last year has been challenging. But all I have is today. Sure, I have to plan for tomorrow, but I also have to trust that the Lord has it figured it out, and that’s enough for me.” Those are the words of Joe Gass, president and co-owner of Heritage Signs & Displays, where innovation began by merely following a set-forth purpose, a purpose of striving “to be a valued resource that honors God by serving others.” But let’s back up a little. Introducing Heritage Signs & Displays: Pursuing Excellence. Continuing Success. Brothers Joe and Steve Gass purchased Gass Printing Service in 1988 from their parents, following Joe’s six years of service in the

Let’s be honest. The COVID-19 pandemic has been rough. Everyone has had to learn the art of the pivot to stay relevant. But remember, there’s always a silver lining. Printers, just like you, have been forced to lift their heads up out of the day-to-day busyness of running a printing firm and instead, thoughtfully review things like their staffing capacity, profitability of jobs, product focus, processes, marketing strategy, and more. At Marketing Ideas For Printers, we spend a lot of our time, energy, and words to remind and convince printers like you to ditch the “I’m only a printer” mindset. There has never been a better time to throw out those feelings of inadequacy and step into your true role and calling as the expert marketing consultant that can help meet and exceed your buyers’ needs. To help inspire you, we’re featuring a printer each month as our Marketing Ideas For Printers’ Print Marketing Expert of the Month. These highlighted printers reflect the innovative spirit necessary to branch out, try new things, and find new ways to remain a powerful resource for their customers. Introducing A-Link Printing: 40+ Years of Creativity in Printing Our first Print Marketing Expert of the

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